TL;DR

Pacers lead Cavs 3–1 as Mitchell injured; Thunder-Nuggets tied; Giannis open to leaving Bucks.

Highlights

• Pacers routed Cavaliers 129-109, taking a 3–1 series lead; Donovan Mitchell left with a left ankle injury and will undergo MRI, Game 5 status uncertain 13.
• Thunder beat Nuggets 92-87 to tie series 2-2; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 25/6/6; OKC now -620 series favorite 2.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo is open to leaving Milwaukee after Bucks’ third straight first-round exit; offseason trade speculation intensifies 4.
• Barcelona beat Real Madrid 4–3 in El Clásico, opening a seven-point La Liga lead with three games left; Mbappé scored a hat-trick 5.
• Xabi Alonso to become Real Madrid manager June 1; club targeting Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was booed by Liverpool fans amid exit 616.
• Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad for UFC welterweight title at UFC 315; Muhammad suffered significant facial injuries 7.
• Kyle Larson won NASCAR Cup at Kansas, leading 221 laps; now leads points heading to Indy 500 8.
• Rockies fired manager Bud Black and bench coach Mike Redmond after a 21-0 loss and 7-33 start; Warren Schaeffer is interim manager 9.
• Diamondbacks promoted top prospect Jordan Lawlar (.336/.413/.579, 1.027 OPS in Triple-A) 10.
• Eagles will host Cowboys in 2025 NFL opener (Sept. 4); Philadelphia opens as 7-point favorite 11.
• Panthers shut out Maple Leafs 2-0 to tie series 2-2; Dallas Stars lead Jets 2-1 after 5-2 win 1213.
• Sepp Straka (Truist Championship) and Ryan Fox (Myrtle Beach Classic) claimed PGA Tour wins; Straka now No. 2 in FedExCup 1420.

Commentary

NBA playoff dynamics shifted sharply as Indiana took a commanding 3–1 lead over Cleveland, with the Cavaliers’ outlook further clouded by Donovan Mitchell’s ankle injury 13. His MRI results will directly impact Game 5 availability, DFS lineups, and series odds. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s win in Denver, powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s all-around performance, has moved OKC to strong series favorites as the matchup returns to Oklahoma City 2.

Offseason movement is already a factor: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s openness to leaving Milwaukee will drive trade rumors and futures markets, with multiple franchises expected to engage in discussions during the NBA Draft Combine 4. In European football, Barcelona’s win over Real Madrid all but secures La Liga, while Real Madrid’s impending managerial change to Xabi Alonso and pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold signal a busy transfer window 56. Alexander-Arnold’s booing at Anfield underscores the volatility around high-profile player moves 16.

In MLB, the Rockies’ historic struggles led to a managerial overhaul, making them a consistent fade for bettors 9. The Diamondbacks’ promotion of Jordan Lawlar offers immediate fantasy intrigue and could impact Arizona’s offensive production 10. Kyle Larson’s dominant NASCAR win at Kansas and points lead position him as a top play for upcoming marquee races 8, while UFC’s welterweight division sees a new champion after Jack Della Maddalena’s win and Belal Muhammad’s injuries 7.

The NFL released its season opener: defending champion Eagles host the Cowboys with a new Dallas coach and Philadelphia favored by a touchdown 11. In the NHL, both the Panthers -Maple Leafs and Stars -Jets series remain competitive, with goaltending and special teams pivotal for DFS and betting angles 1213. PGA Tour results saw Sepp Straka and Ryan Fox notch wins, with Straka moving to No. 2 in FedExCup standings and Fox qualifying for the PGA Championship 1420.