Nuggets-Knicks: After pushing the Thunder to Game 7 in last year’s Western Conference Semifinals, this time around it is Nikola Jokić and the bolstered Nuggets that prevail in seven games in the Western Conference Finals to dethrone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC and guarantee an eighth straight season with a new NBA champion.

There were complaints online during last year's NBA Finals that without it the game lacked the feel of an event.

“The NBA will return to painting the Larry O’Brien trophy at center court and Finals script logo on the home team’s floor for the Finals starting this season, per sources. The last time the large trophy was painted on court was 2009,” reported ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania on X, formerly Twitter.

Thunder vs. Pacers predictions, odds and NBA picks for Thursday, October 23. Pascal Siakam is front and center with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined.

The NBA Cup returns in 2025 for the third annual in-season tournament. The Sporting News is your guide to tickets, schedules, arena policies and more to know for the tournament, including the semifinals and championship in Las Vegas.

Former NBA star J.R. Smith opened up about his infamous timeout gaffe while playing alongside LeBron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.