TL;DR

Knicks oust Celtics, advance to East Finals; Nuggets face injury woes for Game 7; 49ers extend Purdy.

Highlights

• Knicks eliminated Celtics 119-81, advance to first East Finals since 2000; face Pacers Wednesday 1.
• Maple Leafs force Game 7 vs. Panthers with 2-0 win; winner meets Hurricanes in NHL East Final 11.
• Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon (hamstring) doubtful, Jamal Murray (illness) a concern for Game 7 at Thunder 4.
• 49ers sign Brock Purdy to five-year, $265M extension ($181M guaranteed), locking in QB through 2030 2.
• Mavericks to select Cooper Flagg No. 1 after trading Luka Dončić to Lakers; Warriors plan aggressive offseason 1514.
• Max Homa (-5) and Si Woo Kim (-6, record 252-yard ace) in PGA contention; Vegas leads at -8, play delayed 3620.
• Phillies place Aaron Nola (ankle) on IL; prospect Mick Abel debuts Sunday vs. Pirates’ Paul Skenes 5.
• Dodgers rookie Hyeseong Kim hitting .429, reached base nine straight times; roster spot uncertain as veterans return 13.
• Detroit Tigers first MLB team to 30 wins in 2025 16.
• Real Madrid sign 20-year-old Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth for £50M, five-year deal 8.
• Sinner, Alcaraz set for Italian Open final after semifinal wins; Sinner extends win streak to 26 910.
• Bears confirm $5B Arlington Heights stadium plan, ending Soldier Field era 17.

Commentary

The Knicks’ dominant win over the Celtics secures their first East Finals appearance in 25 years and sets up a high-profile matchup with the Pacers 1. New York’s balanced offense, with five players scoring 21+ points, is a positive sign for both bettors and daily fantasy, while Boston’s elimination ends their title defense 1. In the NHL, the Maple Leafs’ shutout forces a decisive Game 7 against the Panthers, with defensive play and goaltending (Woll’s shutout) as key factors for DFS and betting lines 11.

In the NBA’s Western Conference, the Nuggets’ depth will be tested in Game 7 as Aaron Gordon’s hamstring injury and Jamal Murray’s illness create uncertainty; monitor pregame reports for player status and late prop opportunities 4. Off the court, the Mavericks’ trade of Luka Dončić to the Lakers and their intention to draft Cooper Flagg with the top pick resets the franchise’s direction and has ripple effects across the league 15, while the Warriors’ rumored pursuit of Brook Lopez and decisions on Jonathan Kuminga signal a willingness to reshape their roster 14.

On the MLB front, the Detroit Tigers league-best 30 wins highlight their early consistency 16, while the Philadelphia Phillies rotation takes a hit with Aaron Nola sidelined 5. Prospect Mick Abel’s Sunday debut against Paul Skenes is a notable streaming option for fantasy players 5. Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Hyeseong Kim’s .429 average and on-base streak make him a short-term fantasy asset, but his future playing time is uncertain as veterans near return 13.

At the PGA Championship, Jhonattan Vegas leads at -8, with Max Homa and Si Woo Kim (who made a record 252-yard ace) close behind 36. Weather delays could impact DFS and live betting strategies 20. In tennis, the Italian Open final between Sinner and Alcaraz features two in-form players; Sinner’s 26-match win streak and Alcaraz’s strong clay record make this a prime spot for live wagering 910.

Real Madrid £50M signing of Dean Huijsen strengthens their back line ahead of the Club World Cup 8. The Chicago Bears $5B Arlington Heights stadium project marks a significant shift for the franchise and will have long-term implications for Chicago’s sports landscape 17.