Basketball

The manner in which the Oklahoma City Thunder clinched their spot in the NBA Finals seemed fitting. It was a blowout. Those have been the story of the Thunder season.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander achieved his short-term goals on Wednesday night and positioned himself to achieve his long-term one.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder tried their best to balance the euphoria of the moment with the fact that they haven't completed their mission.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder tried their best to balance the euphoria of the moment with the fact that they haven't completed their mission.

Louisiana rap artist NBA YoungBoy, who was sentenced to just under two years in prison on gun-related charges, was pardoned by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray was located in the back of the room and so he heard the message first-hand from new Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman . Same with Julian Strawther, who took a seat in the front row.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Indiana Pacers need just one win to reach the NBA Finals and they already have two of them at Madison Square Garden in this series. They can finish off the New York Knicks quickly, just like they play.

Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference) New York; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Knicks -5; over/under is 222.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton wanted to play well with his father, John, back in Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time in two-plus weeks Tuesday night.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Paige Bueckers had a triumphant return to Connecticut by scoring a career-best 21 points as Dallas won its first game of the season, beating the Sun 109-87 on Tuesday night. Bueckers, the No.