As ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke's future on the network's top NBA broadcasts is in flux, she has a fierce defender in Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. Burke's work broadcasting the Oklahoma City Thunder in particular has come under fire as of late after she referred to MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a "free-throw merchant" on the air.

While the average fan might flip through the channels, basketball diehards understand the 2025 NBA Finals might cap off one of the greatest individual seasons ever. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is at the doorstep to complete a rare trifecta of MVP, Finals MVP and a championship ring.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Discouraged and encouraged. Angry and optimistic. Those were the emotions the Indiana Pacers felt throughout Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Discouraged and angry about their inability to protect the basketball, which led to 20 first-half turnovers.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had to double-check when finding out about the New York Knicks' firing of Tom Thibodeau.

After the game, TNT's Ernie Johnson led the trophy presentation and interviewed Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. When the interview was over, Johnson wished Carlisle luck. That's when the coach stole the broadcaster's microphone.