Cooper Flagg Heads to Dallas as Knicks and Pacers Dominate Playoffs
Mavericks Secure No. 1 Pick; Knicks and Pacers Take Commanding 3-1 Leads in Semifinals
Welcome to Staten News—your source for the latest NBA developments, where draft surprises and playoff upsets keep the league buzzing.
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🔥 Mavericks Win Draft Lottery, Eye Cooper Flagg
In a stunning turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks have secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, despite having only a 1.8% chance of winning the lottery . This unexpected victory positions them to select Duke sensation Cooper Flagg, a 6’9” forward known for his elite two-way play and basketball IQ .
Flagg, the 2024-25 Wooden and Naismith Award winner, averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game at Duke. His potential addition to the Mavericks could mark a new era for the franchise, especially following the recent trade of Luka Dončić .
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🗽 Knicks Take 3-1 Lead Over Celtics
The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. After a narrow 91-90 victory in Game 2 , the Knicks bounced back from a Game 3 loss to win Game 4 with a score of 118-109 .
Jalen Brunson led the charge with 29 points, while Mikal Bridges contributed a crucial steal to seal the Game 1 victory . The Knicks now have the opportunity to close out the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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🚗 Pacers Dominate Cavaliers, Lead Series 3-1
The Indiana Pacers have also taken a 3-1 series lead, overpowering the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 129-109 victory in Game 4 . The Pacers set an NBA playoff record with a 41-point halftime lead, showcasing their dominance on both ends of the court.
Pascal Siakam scored 21 points, while Myles Turner and Obi Toppin each added 20. The Pacers’ impressive performance puts them on the brink of advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.
💥 Tatum Tweaks and Boston’s Bruised Hopes
Jayson Tatum might still be suited up, but something’s clearly off — and the Knicks are taking full advantage. After a stellar Game 1, the Celtics’ franchise cornerstone has looked a step slow and visibly uncomfortable, reportedly dealing with lingering knee soreness. It’s the kind of “he’s not injured, but he’s not right” scenario that’s haunted playoff runs before (see: 2019 Embiid, 2021 Harden, half the Suns’ roster since 2022).
Without a fully mobile Tatum, Boston’s offense has stalled. Jaylen Brown is trying to shoulder the load, but the rhythm is off. The Celtics’ once-fluid offense has turned into a desperate grind, and Coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotations are starting to look more like roulette than strategy. With the Knicks one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals, the pressure is now squarely on Boston’s battered superstar to somehow summon an all-time performance — on one good leg.
🔭 Looking Ahead: The Eastern Conference Finals Picture
If the current trends hold, we could be heading for a Knicks vs. Pacers conference finals — and no, it’s not a throwback to 1999, even if it smells like one.
On one side, you’ve got a scrappy, defensive-minded Knicks squad with Brunson playing like a stocky New York myth. On the other, Indiana’s high-octane offense is setting scoring records while nobody blinks. A potential showdown between the slowest pace (Knicks) and fastest (Pacers) in the playoffs would be delicious chaos.
And what if Tatum’s knee magically recovers and the Celtics rally back? Then we’re looking at a potential redemption arc for the East’s top seed, but they’d have to claw through two ultra-physical games just to get there.
Either way, the message is clear: the Eastern Conference has officially entered its chaos era.
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Final Thought:
With the Mavericks poised to draft Cooper Flagg and the Knicks and Pacers asserting dominance in the playoffs, the NBA landscape is shifting. As the postseason unfolds, fans can expect more surprises and standout performances.
-The Bandicoots 🔥🏀