In today’s Dub Hub:
The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry has spent his entire career shredding defenses designed to wear him down. So after two grueling NBA Finals games against the Oklahoma City Thunder’s swarming defense, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton turned to the superstar’s playbook for inspiration.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, Haliburton’s trainer Drew Hanlen sent him a compilation of Curry attacking physical defenses throughout his postseason career to help jumpstart the Pacers guard and get him back on track.
Via Sports Illustrated:
Few players in NBA history are as adept at shedding a physical defense as Stephen Curry, the Warriors superstar who has powered Golden State to four championships … and counting. Early in the week, Haliburton’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, fired off a file of a decade’s worth of Curry’s postseason field goals, a highlight reel of Curry torching defenders from San Antonio to Houston, Cleveland to Boston. A generation of shooters have been inspired by Curry. In his first NBA Finals, perhaps Haliburton could be, too.
The film work paid off, as Haliburton looked like a different player in Game 3—finishing with 22 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds in Indiana’s 116-107 win over the Thunder. He was more aggressive in looking for his shot while still making the right reads to get his teammates involved when the moment called for it.
It was a breakthrough performance—one that not only restored Haliburton’s confidence, but also gave the Pacers momentum with a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 on Friday.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, June 12th:
Warriors News:
Tyrese Haliburton Draws Inspiration From Steph Curry in NBA Finals Game 3 Win | Sports Illustrated
Curry has had so many signature moments in the Finals. In Game 3, Haliburton got his. Final stat line: 22 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds. For days, everyone with a microphone or social media account screamed for Haliburton to be more aggressive, to not wait until the fourth quarter to flip the switch. Haliburton had 12 points in the first half on Wednesday. He added seven in the third quarter. He had three assists in the fourth, when Bennedict Mathurin took over, sealing the Pacers’ 116–107 Game 3 win over the Thunder to take a 2–1 series lead.
Brandin Podziemski underwent successful core muscle surgery
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski underwent successful surgery yesterday to repair a core muscle injury. He is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of training camp. Podziemski previously underwent successful left wrist debridement surgery on May 27. pic.twitter.com/9pRHYI4uzr
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) June 12, 2025
TONS of new around-the-NBA Intel | The Stein Line
Team executives expect Portis to have numerous potential landing spots in the midlevel market as well, although Milwaukee would like to bring back the 30-year-old forward, sources say. Golden State has always been a team to monitor for Portis, who has a notable fan in head coach Steve Kerr from their shared days during the 2023 FIBA World Cup competition with USA Basketball.
Warriors won’t find next Nikola Jokić at No. 41, but there’s value to be found | NBC Sports Bay Area
Mike Dunleavy only has selected college players since becoming the Warriors’ general manager ahead of the 2023 draft. He did make an interesting addition when the Warriors signed Taran Armstrong out of Australia’s NBL to a two-way contract in late February. Armstrong showed promise and is part of the Warriors’ summer league plans. The Warriors could look internationally in the draft, including grabbing more talent from Australia.
Alex Toohey has played two professional seasons in the NBL, would bring size on the wing the Warriors desire at 6-foot-8 and is 21 years old. If the Warriors really want to get big like the fan base always begs for, they could entertain the idea of 7-foot-3 center Rocco Zikarsky of the Brisbane Bullets. China’s Hansen Yang, 7-foot-2, might be intriguing too.
Austin Rivers tells a story about DeMarcus Cousins guarding a rookie Jonathan Kuminga
Austin Rivers’ story about how rookie Kuminga cooked DeMarcus Cousins on a switch:
“Kuminga gets a switch on Demarcus… he drove left & hit him with the quickest spin move I’ve ever seen. Demarcus’ knees almost jumped out of his skin. Malone calls a timeout, Demarcus puts his… pic.twitter.com/G5jdwaljlP
— ️ (@ZoSpicyDubs) June 12, 2025
NBA News:
Finals Film Study: Pacers turn up defense late in Game 3 | NBA
While the Pacers’ defense isn’t nearly as disruptive as Oklahoma City’s, they pressure the ball like no other team. Per Second Spectrum tracking, they’ve applied pressure to the opponent bringing the ball up the floor on 38% of defensive possessions — by far the highest rate in the playoffs. (Orlando was second at 31%.)
Beyond the initial ball pressure, they also made it difficult for the Thunder to initiate their offense with a pass.
After Holmgren’s layup and a 24-second violation on the other end of the floor, Jalen Williams picked up his dribble after crossing midcourt, thinking he would pass to Gilgeous-Alexander. But Nembhard denied the MVP, and then Toppin denied Hartenstein. With Bennedict Mathurin in his shirt, Williams eventually threw the ball away
Sources: Knicks blocked from talking to Kidd, Udoka, Finch | ESPN
On Wednesday morning, the Mavs firmly rejected the Knicks’ request to speak with Jason Kidd, sources told ESPN.
Kidd joins Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka and Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch as those whose teams have denied permission to interview with New York, sources confirmed.
In addition, the Knicks asked to speak with Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder but were firmly denied, sources told ESPN. Snyder completed his third season in Atlanta.
ESPN’s Shams Charania lists teams interested in trading for Suns’ Kevin Durant
ESPN reporting: The Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant’s business partner, Rich Kleiman, are sorting through trade options - with interested teams mainly featuring Houston, San Antonio, Minnesota, Miami and New York.https://t.co/tqpprx47O4
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 11, 2025
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Warriors pre-draft workouts roundup
Cryer and the Houston Cougars came oh-so-close to a national title last season. Cryer scored 19 points in the championship game and put up 26 in their win over Duke in the Final Four. For the season, he averaged 15.7 points and 3.1 three-pointers per game, making 42.4% of them. For his college career, he made 41.3% of his threes and 86.3% of his free throws, leading the Big 12 in three-point percentage each of the last three years.
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