• How much capped revenue share money will each team within an athletic department receive? That’s left to schools to decide. Welcome to ‘Capology.’
• Conventional wisdom will lead many schools to distribute most of their revenue share allotment to football and men’s basketball, but opportunities exist for deviations.
• Schools’ autonomy opens the door for some outside-the-box spending ideation. Schools have the chance to identify and spend on the sports that matter most to their fans and school fabric.

They’re playing a new game at college athletic departments. We’ll call it “Capology,” and game play tasks athletic directors to be the banker.

A legal settlement approved June 6 authorizes schools to directly pay athletes from athletic department coffers in the form of revenue sharing, beginning July 1. That revenue sharing will be capped this year at about $20.5 million per school.

Athletes’ separate NIL deals brokered with outside entities won’t count against a school’s revenue share cap.

How much capped revenue share money will each team within an athletic department receive? That’s left to individual schools to decide.

Commissioners from the Power Four conferences plus the rebuilt Pac-12 confirmed their schools retain the authority to determine the percentage breakdown of how they’ll distribute their capped allotment with their teams.

Decisions, decisions, for athletic directors tasked to dole out the dough.

“Things get very political really quick of who gets what resources,” Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon said, “but I think you’ve got to continue to invest in programs that generate the revenue. That’s No. 1.

“And No. 2, would be, what’s the fabric of your school? For us, at Mississippi State, baseball is a huge deal.”

Selmon’s assessment holds true to the way many athletic directors view this: The top revenue-generating sports of football and men’s basketball will get the lion’s share of revenue share dollars – about 90% combined across the two sports – with a smaller fraction going to women’s basketball, and other bedrock sports that help form the school’s identity will receive the leftover dollars.

MAJOR BOOST: The teams that benefit from playoff expansion

BIG FALL: SEC propaganda campaign shows it’s no longer top playoff dog

Within the SEC, at least, it’s widely believed many schools will use a baseline distribution model that uses the settlement’s backpay formula as a guide. Using this model, about 75% of a school’s revenue sharing cap will go to the football program, with about 15% going to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball, and 5% for other sports.

Those 75-15-5-5 percentages, though, are not mandated, either within the SEC or beyond.

The breakdown could vary, as an institution sees fit.

“Conference to conference, school to school, sport revenue share allocations will vary based on several factors,” Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said.

Schools’ autonomy opens the door for some outside-the-box thinkers to emerge within “Capology.’ This, too, is an opportunity for schools to identify and spend on the sports that matter most to their fans, and where they think they can win big.

‘We’re giving our institutions discretion,’ Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said, a sentiment echoed by the other power conference commissioners, ‘and they want that discretion.’

Conventional wisdom versus outside-the-box spending

Take Wisconsin, as an example.

The Badgers’ women’s basketball team last made the NCAA Tournament 15 years ago. Its robust volleyball program nearly doubles the women’s basketball team’s average attendance. Why shouldn’t Wisconsin zig where others zag and apply a higher percentage of its revenue sharing dollars toward volleyball, and less toward women’s basketball?

I’m thinking that rationale should apply, too, to Nebraska and Penn State, where powerhouse volleyball programs outperform and outdraw women’s basketball.

These Big Ten schools I’ve referenced have not disclosed their distribution percentage plan. I’m just spit-balling some “Capology” spending ideas that could allow schools to further excel in sports where they typically thrive.

Here’s another test subject: Florida women’s basketball last made a Sweet 16 in 1998, and its attendance limps behind SEC peers. The Gators’ softball program is a Women’s College World Series regular. Might Florida be better off spending less than SEC peers on women’s hoops and more on softball, in an attempt to gain separation in a diamond sport that enjoys relevance within the SEC?

In contrast, South Carolina and LSU shouldn’t put women’s basketball on the back burner. There, the women’s basketball teams outperform and outdraw their men’s counterparts. So, should the men’s programs really receive so much more in revenue sharing than the women?

“I think we need to be a little more generous than 5%,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley told The State newspaper earlier this year, referencing the 5% baseline within the SEC for women’s basketball. “That’s my feel on it.”

Who could blame Staley for believing her team shouldn’t be shortchanged? It’s up to her institution, though, to decide how to divvy up the money. A school could even try to outspend South Carolina women’s basketball to try to accelerate past the Gamecocks.

Many schools will follow conventional wisdom on how dollars should be spent, but the opportunity exists to break from the mold.

Texas Tech revealed it plans to share 17 to 18% with its men’s basketball team, which reached the Elite Eight last season, and 2% to its women’s basketball team, which last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2013.

Priorities, right?

Football will receive most revenue share, but how much?

Consider a school that usually struggles in football. Should it allocate a smaller revenue share percentage to football than its peers and apply more money toward other sports? Perhaps, that’s worth mulling at schools where basketball or Olympic sports shine. Here’s an alternate idea: If you’re lagging in football, spend an even higher percentage of your allotment on football than the baseline, to try to close the talent gap.

Indiana showed how quickly a football team can transform from irrelevant to playoff qualifier in an era in which players may transfer without penalty.

Is it worth the risk to spend big, though, to play catchup, knowing that strategy would reduce the revenue share money available for other sports? That’s a question athletic directors must ponder.

Schools aren’t required to publicly disclose their distribution percentage plan, either, meaning one school won’t necessarily know exactly how its distribution model compares to another school.

Football revenues provide the financial lifeblood of college sports, but nothing says a basketball blueblood couldn’t spend less of its revenue share allotment on football, as compared to the industry standard, and outpace its peers on basketball spending.  

“There will be some institutions that might give 60% to football and 20% to men’s basketball, or any variation one could think of,” Castiglione said, speaking in general terms and not in reference to a particular school. “That’s an institutional choice.”

Just another decision when playing “Capology.”

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The NASCAR Cup Series grid is going international for the first time in decades this weekend.

Cup Series drivers will take to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City in the second road course event of the 2025 season. This is the first international Cup Series race in 25 years and the first points race outside the U.S. since 1958.

This isn’t the first time NASCAR’s visited the course, though. The Xfinity Series raced there from 2005 to 2008 with a different winner each year.

This week’s race will be a crucial event for NASCAR’s first in-season challenge. Three races will be used for seeding in the challenge: the June 8 race at Michigan, Mexico City and the June 22 race at Pocono. The best result from each of those three races will decide how the 32-driver field will be seeded.

This circuit is one of the better venues for racing spectacle. The start/finish line is on the longest straight of any road course NASCAR will visit this year, and the final few corners cut through a baseball stadium called the ‘Foro’ that brings fans close to the action.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Cup Series’ first race in Mexico:

Where is the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez?

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is in Mexico City near the city center.

It’s a tough challenge for all non-electric formulas of racing because of the elevation. At 7,349 feet above sea level, the air is thin enough to make things difficult for both the cars and drivers.

Construction on the circuit was completed in 1959 and was named for Mexican racing drivers Ricardo and Pedro Rodríguez.

NASCAR international history

The Cup Series has raced outside the U.S. before but not in decades. Here’s a full list of the series’ international events:

1952: Canada

The first Cup Series event outside of the U.S. took place on the half-mile Stamford Park dirt track in Niagara Falls. The race in Ontario was one of the toughest on drivers with 14 of the 17 failing to see the checkered flag by the end of the 200-lap race.

1958: Canada

The Cup Series returned to Canada for the Jim Mideon 500 at Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. It was one of the shortest races on the calendar at 0.333 miles. NASCAR icon Lee Petty won the race but it was notably the debut of his son and future seven-time champion, Richard Petty.

1988: Australia

This exhibition race at the Calder Park Raceway in Melbourne saw the best of the Cup Series compete over 280 laps on the 24-degree banking. It was such a success that NASCAR created an Australia racing division from 1989 to 2002.

1996-1998: Japan

For 1996 and 1997, the Cup Series raced the Suzuka Circuit at the end of the year. NASCAR used the East Course of the circuit for both events and saw some Japanese drift racing stars take their chance against the Cup Series’ best.

In 1998, the Cup Series went to an oval – the Twin Ring Motegi – for 201 laps of exhibition racing at the end of the year.

Viva Mexico 2025: How to watch, TV, streaming, stage info

The Cup Series’ first race in Mexico will be 100 laps on the 2.429-mile course. Stage 1 will be 20 laps, Stage 2 will be 25 and Stage 3 will be the final 55.

Here’s how to catch the action:

• Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City
• TV: None
• Streaming:Prime Video

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Legendary boxer Oscar De La Hoya, who grew up in Los Angeles as the son of Mexican immigrants, addressed the ongoing protests in his hometown sparked by immigration raids being carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

De La Hoya, who became a dual citizen in 2002, paid tribute to immigrants. At times, the protests have turned violent.

“I am sad about what’s happening in Los Angeles right now,’’ De La Hoya said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports on June 11. “Growing up in L.A., I witnessed firsthand how integral immigrants are to the heartbeat of this city — they are our friends, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and loved ones. Latinos are among the most hardworking people in the world, and their contributions strengthen every corner of our communities.”

Though born in Montebello, California, De La Hoya spent his formative years in East Los Angeles, a predominantly Latino community. At the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, De La Hoya held an American flag and Mexican flag in the boxing ring after winning a gold medal.

‘As a proud Mexican-American, I carry immense gratitude for the sacrifices my family made in coming to the U.S. from Mexico in pursuit of a better future,’’ De La Hoya, 52, also said in the statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. “Their courage gave me opportunities I’ll never take for granted.’’

De La Hoya, who won eight world championships in six weight divisions before announcing his retirement in 2009, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014. He is the founder and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, one of top promotion companies in boxing.

Jane Murcia, Director for Golden Boy Promotions, said De La Hoya was not available for interviews.

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers played their best game of the NBA Finals in Game 3. Tyrese Haliburton delivered his best overall performance of the series, and Bennedict Mathurin emerged as the Pacers’ unexpected hero.

Playing in front of their revved-up home crowd in a Finals game for the first time since 2000, the Pacers defeated Oklahoma City 116-107 Wednesday, June 11, to take a 2-1 series lead.

Just when it looks like one team has solved the other in the Finals, the narrative flips. The Pacers are not just here to watch the Thunder coronation. Far from it.

The Pacers took control of the game midway through the fourth quarter on a Haliburton 3-pointer, built a 110-102 lead with 3:04 remaining and locked up the victory.

In Game 3, Indiana had its biggest lead (nine points) and led for its longest stretch (the final 6:42 of the fourth quarter) in these NBA Finals.

Haliburton had 22 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and two steals, and Mathurin provided a massive lift off the bench with 14 of his team-high 27 points in the second quarter. His 3-pointer with 8:02 left in the fourth put the Pacers up 98-96, and they never trailed from that point.

Pascal Siakam had 21 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Pacers, who outscored the Thunder 49-18 in bench points. T.J. McConnell had 10 points, five assists and five steals, and Obi Toppin added eight points, six rebounds and two blocks off the bench.

It was a tremendous game, start to finish. Indiana played with more force and aggressiveness. The Pacers’ depth canceled out Oklahoma City’s depth and prevented NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from dominating.

Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks, Chet Holmgren had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Jalen Williams scored 26 for the Thunder, who shot 46.8% from the field and 10-for-22 on 3s.

Teams that win Game 3 of a 1-1 NBA Finals go on to win the series 80.5% of the time (33-8)

Game 4 is Friday, June 13 in Indianapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

NBA Finals Game 3 highlights: Pacers 116, Thunder 107

Indiana has taken a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals. Check out full stats from Game 3 here and highlights below:

Obi Toppin putback dunk

Toppin went soaring to give the Pacers a seven-point lead with over four minutes to go.

End of third quarter: Thunder 89, Pacers 84

The Oklahoma City Thunder scored the first eight points of the third quarter, the Pacers responded, but the Thunder were the ones to close the period on a run.

All of it sets up what could be a tight finish in the crucial Game 3 of the NBA Finals, with the winner of Game 3 in a 1-1 series going on to win 80.5% of the time.

Right now, it’s the Thunder who are carrying an 89-84 advantage into the fourth.

The Pacers have flipped the script from the first two games, doing a much better job of protecting the ball while forcing the Thunder into turnovers; after losing the turnover battle by 19 combined in Games 1 and 2, the Pacers have committed just nine turnovers, compared to Oklahoma City’s 14.

Still, Oklahoma City’s three best players — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren — have combined for 59 points on 20-of-40 shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander has 21 and Williams has added 20.

Similarly, Pacers stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam have 19 and 17, respectively, while backup shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin has added 19.

Halftime: Pacers 64, Thunder 60

The Indiana Pacers have found their rhythm.

Indiana outscored the Thunder by 12 in the second quarter, erasing the eight-point deficit it faced at the start of the period, to take a 64-60 lead into the half.

The Pacers bench has been stellar, sparking the turnaround. Indiana’s bench is outscoring Oklahoma City’s 30-11.

Backup guard Bennedict Mathurin was one of the instant catalysts off the bench, scoring 14 points, while backup point guard T.J. McConnell added six points, four assists and three steals. The best sign for the Pacers, however, was the aggression shown by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who attacked and got to his spot to hit a few floaters and 3-pointers; he has 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting and seven assists.

The Thunder shooting cooled off some in the second quarter, going just 9-of-21 (42.9%) in the period. Compare that to Indiana’s mark in the second period: 14-of-23, or 60.9%.

Thunder center Chet Holmgren leads all OKC players with 15 points, though he scored just two in the second quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting. 

Pacers take first lead

The Pacers took full advantage of the non-SGA minutes.

With NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting a breather to start the second quarter, Indiana got massive contributions from its own bench to claim its first lead of the game, 39-36.

This, for those wondering, is Indiana’s largest lead of the series.

T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin are leading the charge, with Indiana’s bench outscoring Oklahoma City’s 19-0. McConnell has just two points but four assists, and Mathurin has poured in nine points in just 4:33 on the floor.

Gilgeous-Alexander has returned to floor.

Chet Holmgren height

Holmgren is listed at 7-foot-1. He’s averaging 10.5 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block through the first two games of the 2025 NBA Finals, down from his regular-season average of 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 32 regular season games (all starts).

End of first quarter: Thunder 32, Pacers 24

Looking to reclaim homecourt advantage, the Oklahoma City Thunder started Game 3 like a team looking to steal one on the road.

The Thunder have opened a 32-24 lead through one, shooting 55% from the floor. Although NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did score a modest six points in the period, it was the contributions of center Chet Holmgren (13 points on 4-of-5 shooting) and Luguentz Dort (nine points on three made 3-pointers) that got the Thunder going.

The Pacers did reasonably well on offense in the first quarter, shooting 50%, but their transition defense at times yielded easy opportunities for Oklahoma City. Another area where Indiana struggled was keeping the Thunder off the line; while both teams put up 20 shot attempts in the period, Pacers fouls led to eight free throw attempts for OKC, which converted seven of those. The Pacers, by comparison, were just 2-of-4 from the stripe.

Pacers forward Pascal Siakam was aggressive early on, scoring Indiana’s first three field goals, but his final shot attempt of the period came with 9:01 to play. Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton scored five points but recorded four assists to get his teammates going.

Thunder off to fast start

Game 3 started just the way the first two did: with the Thunder red hot to start and the Pacers slow out of the gate.

Oklahoma City drained six of its first nine attempts (66.7%), opening up a quick nine-point lead, 15-6, through the first four-and-a-half minutes of play.

Thunder center Chet Holmgren’s struggles from Game 1 feel rather distant, as he has made all three of his attempts, leading all scorers with eight points.

Indiana, meanwhile, has looked to get forward Pascal Siakam going, and he has six quick points on 3-of-4 shooting. The only issue? The rest of the team is 0-for-3 and does not have a single point.

Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston highlight star-studded crowd

Indiana Fever teammates Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard are in the building. One day after the Fever’s 77-58 road loss to the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, Clark, Boston and Howard returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to cheer on their NBA counterparts in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. It’s not the first game Clark has attended this postseason — she cheered on the Pacers during the team’s Game 6 win over the Knicks to clinch the Eastern Conference title.

The Fever stars are simply returning the favor. Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers attended the Fever’s opening night win over the Chicago Sky on May 17. The Fever next host the New York Liberty at home on Saturday. Clark is nursing a left quad strain that has sidelined her for five games and it’s not clear if she’ll play this weekend. 

Clark is not the only star in the house. Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee, “America’s Got Talent” host Terry Crews and NBA legend Oscar Robertson were among the celebrities in attendance.

What jersey is Reggie Miller wearing?

Reggie Miller is in the crowd in Indiana, supporting the Pacers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Miller was sporting former teammate Mark Jackson’s No. 13 jersey on Wednesday. Miller spent all 18 seasons of his professional career with the Pacers in the No. 31 jersey before retiring in 2005 and becoming a color commentator and analyst for TNT. He played with Jackson on the Pacers for parts of six seasons, including 1999-2000 when the Pacers last reached the NBA Finals.

Miller was on the call for the Eastern Conference finals between the Pacers and New York Knicks.

National anthem before NBA Finals Game 3

Michael Kang sang the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Kang is a mandolin and violin player for The String Cheese Incident, an American jam band from Colorado that formed in 1993. He is a longtime friend of Steve Simon, the son of Pacers owner Herb Simon.

The group is scheduled to begin a tour on Thursday, starting in Maine.

What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today?

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 3

• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• TV: ABC
• Stream: Fubo, Sling TV

Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo

Where is Game 3 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. 

NBA Finals streaming: How to watch Thunder vs Pacers Game 3

Game 3 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

Thunder vs Pacers Game 3 TV channel

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC.

OKC Thunder starting lineup tonight

• Lu Dort
• Jalen Williams
• Chet Holmgren
• Cason Wallace
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Indiana Pacers starting lineup tonight

• Aaron Nesmith
• Pascal Siakam
• Myles Turner
• Andrew Nembhard
• Tyrese Haliburton

Indiana Pacers injury report

How many Finals have the Thunder won?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA Championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. It has not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.

How many Finals have the Pacers won?

The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA Championship. It has two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).

NBA Finals matchup: SGA vs Haliburton

The 2025 NBA Finals is, in many ways, a celebration of the point guard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, and Tyrese Haliburton, the pass-first point guard with a penchant in the clutch, are each franchise’s hope to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Though they likely won’t match up directly all the time, the responsibility of guarding the other likely falling to more specialized defenders, Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton are reshaping the image of the point guard in the modern NBA.

USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes look at the Pacers and Thunder’s biggest stars.

NBA 3-pointer reigns supreme for championship teams

The NBA’s 3-point shot has enemies.

Too many 3s, they say. The shot is ruining the game, they say.

And those critics of the 3-point shot found ammunition in the Eastern Conference semifinals of this season’s playoffs when the Boston Celtics attempted 60 3-pointers and missed 45 against the New York Knicks. The guffawing ignored the fact that Boston’s 3-point shooting was instrumental in its 2023-24 championship season and in its 61-21 record this season.

Regardless of your aesthetic view of how basketball should be played and what it should look like, the 3-point shot has turned divisive but remains vital to winning championships.

USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt takes a deeper look at this divisive shot.

Thunder roster 2025

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Chet Holmgren
• Jalen Williams
• Luguentz Dort
• Alex Caruso
• Isaiah Joe
• Cason Wallace
• Jaylin Williams
• Aaron Wiggins
• Kenrich Williams
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Ousmane Diang
• Nikola Topic
• Ajay Mitchell
• Dillon Jones

Indiana Pacers roster for NBA Finals

• Tyrese Haliburton
• Pascal Siakam
• Myles Turner
• Benedict Mathurin
• Obi Toppin
• Andrew Nebhard
• Aaron Nesmith
• T.J. McConnell
• Isaiah Jackson
• Jarace Walker
• Ben Sheppard
• Johnny Furphy
• James Johnson
• Thomas Bryant

Tyrese Haliburton injury update: Pacers star will play

Though he walked with a limp following Oklahoma City’s Game 2 victory, Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton is not on the NBA’s official injury report for Game 3.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, “He practiced. He went through everything. I know he has some discomfort. He feels it. But each day it’s getting better. I don’t think you’re going to hear him making a big deal out of it.”

Jarace Walker injury update: Will he play?

Per Dustin Dopriak of the Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, Walker is ‘going to be out for a while’ and was officially ruled out for Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, meaning his earliest possible return would have been for Game 3 on June 11 in Indianapolis.

However, Walker is now reportedly out for Game 3 on Wednesday night.

Who are the referees for Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 3?

Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to the 2025 NBA Finals.

• James Capers (13th Finals)
• Tony Brothers (14th Finals)
• Tyler Ford (First Finals)

NBA Finals logo: Where is the iconic logo?

As Game 1 of the NBA Finals began at Paycom Center, discerning fans on social media asked: “Why aren’t there NBA Finals logos on the court?”

For the most part – there are two exceptions – the NBA has not placed Finals logos on the court since the 2014 Finals.

Some fans clamored to see a court that matched the magnitude of the event – meaning they didn’t want to see a court that was no different than a regular-season game. It was pointed out that the league’s NBA Cup court has logos on it for the in-season tournament.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took note of the comments and explained.

USA TODAY Sports’s Jeff Zillgitt breaks down why the logo is absent from the court this series.

Thunder vs Pacers odds: Game 3

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 2-1 series lead over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Tuesday, June 10):

• Spread: Thunder (-5.5)
• Moneyline: Thunder (-220); Pacers (+180)
• Over/under: 228.5

NBA championship odds 

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 2 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Saturday, June 7)

• Series winner: Thunder (-600); Pacers (+425)

NBA Finals expert picks: USA Today staff predictions

USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder

Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals

• Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
• Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
• Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
• James Williams: Thunder in six
• Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five

Thunder vs Pacers predictions, expert picks for NBA Finals Game 3

USA TODAY: Most pick the Thunder in Game 3

• Scooby Axson: Pacers 110, Thunder 107
• Jordan Mendoza: Thunder 102, Pacers 98
• Cydney Henderson: Thunder 115, Pacers 107
• Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder 111, Pacers 104
• Heather Tucker: Pacers 108, Thunder 101
• Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 110, Pacers 101

NBA Finals schedule: Thunder vs Pacers

• Game 1, June 5: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
• Game 2, June 8: Thunder 123, Pacers 107
• Game 3, June 11: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
• Game 4, June 13: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
• Game 5, June 16: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.*
• Game 6, June 19: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.*
• Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.*

All times Eastern; *-if necessary

SAN DIEGO — Everyone in Southern California has driven on the dreadful Interstate 5 with its consistent traffic and it isn’t just the highway that connects the West Coast from America’s northern and southern borders: it’s where baseball’s hottest rivalry resides.

Dodger Stadium and Petco Park are connected by the highway, and to the south is where one of the top series in MLB commenced this week. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres met for the first time since their thrilling 2024 National League Division Series matchup, and renewed the rivalry in their growing battle not just for Southern California supremacy – but for the top of the sport. 

In the season-long heavyweight battle, Round 1 went to the Dodgers, taking two of three in San Diego. 

“The atmosphere is great,” said Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto, in his first season with the club. “It definitely felt different in this series. So, that’s a good start to my career with this rivalry.” 

There’s plenty of historical rivalries in MLB. There’s the Red Sox-Yankees, Dodgers-Giants and Cardinals-Cubs to name a few. While bitterness will always be present in those big-time rivalries, it’s fair to say none are generating more heat in 2025 than the Dodgers and Padres.

San Diego was one win away from eliminating the Dodgers in last year’s postseason before Los Angeles won two do-or-die games to advance en route to the World Series.

With a loaded roster of veterans and young stars, San Diego will take another shot at slaying the dragon, while the MVPs of Los Angeles try to quell a Padres club that has a legitimate shot to win its first World Series.

Now, whenever these two teams are in opposite dugouts, the stadium is filled and the atmosphere feels like it’s October – even if it’s a Wednesday afternoon game in June.

“This being a playoff atmosphere – against this team – awesome series to be a part of,” said Dodgers pitcher Ben Casparius. 

The series started very similar to what transpired in October 2024. The first game was a back-and-forth affair with 11 runs scored in the first three innings before the Dodgers won it at the end 8-7 – this time in extra innings. In game No. 2, the Padres blitzed Los Angeles and Dylan Cease mowed down the lineup for a 11-1 rout.

Before the series started, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tried to downplay its significance. But it’s easy to see how badly each side wants the upper hand. Roberts said it was “really important” to win the series opener, and find a way to at least split the last two games.

And the Padres know how significant this first matchup was. Even though they have proved more than formidable, the series loss is a reminder they still are trying to prove they aren’t the little brother to Los Angeles – especially after how last season ended.

‘This year, we’re going out there to try and take them down,” said Padres third baseman Manny Machado. “We’ve been trying to do it for a couple years now, and we are going to continue to try to do it until we reach our goal.’

NL West is the gauntlet of MLB

While San Diego and Los Angeles are separated by the 124-mile stretch on the highway, go up to the Bay Area and and you’ll find one team seeking to throw a wrench into the SoCal showdown: the San Francisco Giants.

Considered an enigma to begin the season, the Giants have found some of the magic that propelled their 107-win 2021 season. They entered Wednesday winners of six straight, and thanks to San Diego’s loss, they sit in second place in the NL West, one game behind the Dodgers and one game ahead of the Padres. And you can’t forget the Arizona Diamondbacks 6 ½ games behind.

San Francisco will head to Los Angeles to face their longtime rival in a three-game weekend series at Dodger Stadium this weekend. After dueling the Giants for first place in the division, the Dodgers welcome these Padres for a four-game set. This comes in the middle of the Dodgers’ 26 straight games against teams with winning records.

“It’s the gauntlet,” Roberts said. 

While there’s a bigger spotlight when San Diego and Los Angeles face off, you can’t write off the Giants from causing havoc. Should San Francisco continue rolling, it could leave its NL West counterparts fighting for wild-card positioning instead of a division title. 

But for now, the Dodgers and Padres remain among the favorites to contend for a World Series, and it makes for a blockbuster, star-studded affair in all 13 meetings this season.

For as much as either side wants to win the regular season series, it historically doesn’t mean much should they meet in October for the fourth time in six postseasons. In 2022, the Dodgers dominated the regular season meetings at 14-5, only for the team with the best record in baseball to lose the NLDS in four games.

Last season, the Padres won the regular season series 8-5, the first time they’ve done so since 2010. The reward? Losing to the eventual World Series champions in the divisional series after jumping to a 2-1 series lead.

“It’s fun playing these guys. I think they know they’re talented, we know we’re talented,” Roberts said. “It’s a fun series. It’s a big series, but it’s not the end all be all – certainly in June.”

The NHL will announce the winner of the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Vezina Trophy (top goaltender) during an hourlong televised program on TNT, starting at 6 p.m. ET on June 12.

Could the same person win both awards?

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov are the other Hart finalists. The Los Angeles Kings’ Darcy Kuemper and Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy are the other Vezina finalists.

Here’s what to know about the NHL Awards show, including the finalists and how to watch:

NHL Awards show: How to watch, stream

• Date: Thursday, June 12
• Time: 6 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
• Streaming: Max, Sling TV
• Host: Actor Isaiah Mustafa

Watch the Stanley Cup Final on Sling

Hart Trophy finalists

Who votes: Professional Hockey Writers Association

• Leon Draisaitl: Despite missing 11 games, he led the league with 52 goals. He set a single-season NHL record with six overtime goals, shared first place in game-winning goals (11) and multi-goal performances (10), ranked second in even-strength goals (36), and tied for second in power-play goals (16). He won the award in 2020.
• Connor Hellebuyck: His nine-win edge over No. 2 Vasilevskiy was the largest gap since 1990-91. Hellebuyck gave up two or fewer goals in 40 of 63 appearances. He led the league (minimum 25 games played) in goals-against average and shutouts (eight) and was second in save percentage. He’s looking to become the fourth netminder in the expansion era to win, following Dominik Hasek (twice), Jose Theodore and Price.
• Nikita Kucherov: He had 121 points to capture his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy (third overall) as points leader. He finished first in points per game (1.55), power-play assists (38) and power-play points (46) and third in even-strength points (75). He won the Hart Trophy in 2019 and won this year’s Ted Lindsay Award.

Vezina Trophy finalists

Who votes: General managers

• Connor Hellebuyck: Last year’s winner went 47-12-3 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and eight shutouts to lead the Jets to the league’s best record. Hellebuyck, who won in 2020 and 2024, is looking to become the first repeat winner since Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
• Darcy Kuemper: Went 31-11-7 with five shutouts in his second stint with the Kings. He finished first in high-danger save percentage (.863), second in goals-against average (2.02) and third in save percentage. He had a stretch of 15 consecutive starts of allowing two or fewer goals from March 5 to April 10.
• Andrei Vasilevskiy: Went 38-20-5, tied for first in games played (63), was second in saves (1,581) and high-danger save percentage (.853), tied for second in shutouts (six) and ranked fourth in goals-against average (2.18) and save percentage (.921). He became the fastest goaltender in league history to reach 300 wins, doing it in his 490th career game. Vasilevskiy won the award in 2018-19.

Other NHL awards winners

Mark Messier Leadership Award: Alex Ovechkin, Capitals

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark’s absence due to a strained left quad has had a significant impact on WNBA TV ratings.

The league’s TV ratings have declined with Clark sidelined.

• Nationally televised WNBA viewership is down 55% since her injury, according to Nielsen.
• Fever national TV games are down 53% since Clark’s injury – 1,810,000 average viewers before her injury and 847,000 viewers since her injury for Fever national TV games.

Clark, the second-year star, has played in just four games this season and has missed the Fever’s past five games. Indiana coach Stephanie White said the team is ‘going to be cautious’ with Clark and make sure she’s fully ready to go before allowing her to play again. The 4-5 Fever’s next game is Saturday, June 14, against New York.

Clark averaged 19 points, 9.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds in her four games and had a triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) in the season opener.

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