Pacers close out series vs Bucks in Game 5 overtime win
The Indiana Pacers completed their first-round NBA playoff run against the Milwaukee Bucks with a thrilling 119–118 overtime win in Game 5 of their series on Wednesday, April 30 (Philippine time), at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Tyrese Haliburton led the charge for the Pacers with 26 points, including a game-winning lay-up with 1.3 seconds left in overtime. He also tallied five rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and three blocks in 42 minutes of play to cap off his heroic performance.
He was followed by Myles Turner, who added 21 markers and nine boards, and Aaron Nesmith, who registered a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds in over 40 minutes of action on the hardwood.
Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam chipped in 15 and 10 points, respectively, while T.J. McConnell provided a spark off the bench with 18 markers to help seal the win.
Milwaukee appeared dominant early, building a 30–13 lead by the end of the first quarter. But Indiana clawed back in the second and third canto to tie the score entering the final frame.
The fourth quarter turned into another deadlock, leading to overtime, where the Pacers edged the Bucks by one point just before the buzzer—clinching the series and setting up a second-round clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But the drama didn’t end there, as a commotion erupted during the postgame handshakes when Haliburton and his father got into a heated exchange with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In another series, the defending champions Boston Celtics advanced to the next round after dismantling the Orlando Magic in Game 5, 120–89, behind Jayson Tatum’s double-double of 35 markers and 10 dimes, along with eight boards and a deflection.
The Celtics now await the winner of the Detroit–New York series, where the Pistons secured a tight 106–103 win on the same day.
Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 24 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block, giving them a 3–2 edge in their Eastern Conference matchup.
Over in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets defended home court with a 131–115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to move one step closer to the next round.
Jamal Murray exploded for 43 markers, hitting 8-of-14 from beyond the arc, and added five boards, seven dimes, three steals, and a block in 40 minutes of action.
Nikola Jokic also stepped up with a triple-double performance: 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, along with a steal and two blocks. Aaron Gordon and Russell Westbrook contributed 23 and 21 points, respectively.
Tomorrow, May 1 (PH time), the Golden State Warriors look to close out their series against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, while the Minnesota Timberwolves aim to do the same against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto.com Arena in LA.
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For the second consecutive season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals after dispatching the Golden State Warriors, 121-110, on Wednesday, May 15 (PH time) in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series.
The Timberwolves leaned on a balanced offensive attack and relentless defensive energy to close out the series at home. Julius Randle led the way with 29 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, setting the tone with his aggression and leadership on both ends of the floor.
Anthony Edwards once again proved his all-around value, notching a double-double with 22 markers and 12 dimes, while also contributing seven boards, a steal, and three blocks in another signature playoff performance.
The defending champions Boston Celtics survive another day after beating the New York Knicks, 127-102, on Thursday, May 15 (PH time), at the TD Garden.
Refusing to go down quietly, the Celtics delivered a strong statement at home to extend their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. They now trail the series 2-3 and will need another must-win effort to force a Game 7 and keep their championship hopes alive—this time without their franchise cornerstone, Jayson Tatum, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Game 4.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with both squads trading baskets and energy. By halftime, the score was tied at 59, reflecting the intensity of a game where neither side wanted to blink.
But the second half belonged to Boston.
The Celtics came out of the locker room firing, outscoring the Knicks 32-17 in the third quarter behind suffocating defense and precise execution on offense. That run gave them a 91-76 cushion heading into the final frame.
Boston didn't let up in the fourth. With their season on the line, they kept their foot on the gas, closing out the game with a 36-26 quarter to complete a wire-to-wire second-half performance and secure the 25-point blowout win.
Another PBA Most Valuable Player takes the spotlight in our Player Profile Series. This time, we go back to 1985 and feature “The Quick Brown Fox” himself—Ricardo Brown.
Born on May 22, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, Brown holds the distinction of being the first-ever Fil-American to play in the PBA as a ‘local.’ His career in the league ran from 1983 to 1990, but his impact remains legendary.
Standing at 6’1”, Brown was selected 59th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1979 NBA Draft, but he was never signed. That didn’t stop him from chasing the game he loved. While playing in the United States, he was discovered by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., which opened the door for him to come to the Philippines.
Before his PBA debut, Brown suited up for the De La Salle Green Archers in various tournaments in 1982 while taking classes.
Then came 1983—his official entry into the PBA with the Great Taste Coffee Makers. That year, he took home Rookie of the Year honors and was also named to the Mythical Five. He nearly pulled off a rare trifecta, finishing in the MVP conversation alongside Bogs Adornado and eventual winner Abet Guidaben.
Two years later, in 1985, Brown’s dominance was undeniable. He won league MVP and averaged over 30 points and double-digit assists per game. That season included a 56-point outburst against Ginebra and back-to-back 40+ point games in the PBA Open Championship versus Norman Black and Magnolia.
In just seven years and 19 conferences, Brown played for only two teams: Great Taste and San Miguel. But in that time, he won nine championships and rewrote the standards for guard play in the league. His elite ball-handling, court vision, quickness, and ability to score from anywhere made him one of the best point/combo guards in PBA history.
Even in a career that lasted just seven years and 19 conferences, Brown left behind a remarkable statistical legacy. He averaged 23.1 points and 7.3 assists per game—numbers that rank among the best in league history. He also shot 87.9% from the free-throw line over his career, showcasing his elite consistency and skill from the stripe.
He was also part of San Miguel’s Grand Slam run in 1989, playing a key role alongside legends like Hector Calma, Samboy Lim, and Ramon Fernandez.
In 2000, Brown was named one of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2009, along with former teammates Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, and Hector Calma.
Life Beyond the Court
Brown’s family has deep Filipino roots. His parents were married in Manila in 1945. His father, Lee Brown, was an American serviceman and a former MLB player for the St. Louis Cardinals. His mother, Conrada Vidal, ran a family photography business in Santa Cruz, Manila. Brown is married to Filipina Lorma Sahagun from Ilocos Norte, and they have two sons—Justin and Kevan. Kevan was born at Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan.
In 1987, Brown also dabbled in acting, starring alongside Comedy King Dolphy in Action Is Not Missing, an MMFF entry and box-office hit.
Outside of basketball and entertainment, Brown found another calling: education. Since 1981, he has served as a teacher, dean, assistant principal, and principal. In 2008, he became the first Filipino-American principal in the ABC Unified School District in California. Under his leadership, both Ross Academy and Tracy High School earned state honors for excellence.