AUDIO: Daily Memphian Columnist Chris Herrington joined Geoff Calkins to discuss the wild night of Round 2 of the NBA Finals (Knicks/Celtics, OKC/Nuggets) and the move to the front office for Gregg Popovich.
Monday, May 5, 2025, was a landmark day in the NBA, marked by significant playoff upsets and a major coaching transition.
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the New York Knicks pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 1. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby led the charge, helping the Knicks erase a late deficit and secure a 1–0 series lead.
Out West, the Denver Nuggets shocked the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder with a dramatic 121–119 victory. Despite trailing by 11 points with just over four minutes remaining, Denver capitalized on a strategic misstep by the Thunder, who chose to foul while leading by three. Aaron Gordon's game-winning three-pointer sealed the comeback, flipping home-court advantage in the series.
Off the court, the San Antonio Spurs announced that Gregg Popovich would step down as head coach after 29 seasons, transitioning to the role of president of basketball operations. Popovich, who suffered a mild stroke in November 2024, had been on a health-related leave. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson, who served as interim head coach during Popovich's absence, has been promoted to the head coaching position.
