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Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: Africa Energy Jumps 275 Percent

Statistics Canada released its May Labour Force Survey on Friday (June 6). The data showed that nearly 9,000 new jobs were added to the workforce during the month. The news surprised analysts who were expecting losses of 12,500 as the effects of US trade tariffs began to be felt in the Canadian economy.

The biggest contributors to the gains were 43,000 new workers added in wholesale and retail trade; 19,000 new jobs in the information, culture and recreation category; and 12,000 new employees within the real estate and finance sector.

While these additions were significant, they were offset by the loss of 32,000 jobs in the public administration sector, as well as a decline of 16,000 workers in both the accommodation and food services sector and the transportation and warehousing sector. Additionally, 15,000 jobs were lost in the business, building and support services sector.

Despite the net job gains, unemployment registered a 0.1 percent gain to 7 percent, while the employment rate was stable at 60.8 percent.

Also this week, StatsCan released the Annual Mineral Production Survey for 2023 on Wednesday (June 4). The report showed that total revenues for metal ore mining and non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying industry groups in 2023 decreased by 9.3 percent to C$59.7 billion year-over-year. Meanwhile, expenses rose by 8.6 percent to C$43.2 billion during the same period.

South of the border, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released May’s Employment Situation Summary on Friday. The report showed that the US labor market remained stable for the month, adding 139,000 nonfarm workers. The report also indicated that unemployment remained unchanged at 4.2 percent, while the participation rate decreased by 0.2 percent to 62.4 percent.

The largest gains were felt in the healthcare sector, which accounted for roughly half of the new jobs at 62,000, while the hospitality sector came in second with 48,000 new jobs. However, the economy was impacted by the loss of an additional 22,000 federal government employees, bringing the total number of federal job losses for the year to 59,000.

Human resources company ADP (NASDAQ:ADP) reported that US private sector employers added 37,000 new jobs in May, the lowest level since March 2023. This growth was wholly concentrated in mid-sized companies, with small and large establishments losing jobs. The natural resources and mining industry lost 5,000 jobs over the period.

Additionally, platinum prices have been on the rise over the last two weeks, highlighted by a nearly 10 percent surge during the past five days to US$1,160.79 per ounce on Friday. The gains may be related to the cancellation of EV tax credits proposed in the US tax bill working its way through Congress, as well as infighting between Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump following Musk’s departure from the Trump administration.

The threat has sent ripples through the automotive sector and may cause increased demand on an already stressed platinum market.

Markets and commodities react

In Canada, major indexes were mixed at the end of the week.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) climbed 0.93 percent during the week to close at 26,429.13 on Friday. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) had a larger gain of 3.06 percent to 721.60 and the CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) rose 1.7 percent to 117.55.

US equities were in positive territory this week, with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) gaining 1.76 percent to close at 6,000.37, the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) rising 2.31 percent to 21,761.79 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) adding 1.33 percent to 42,762.88.

The gold price was up this week, gaining 1.02 percent, to close Friday at US$3,322.73. The silver price saw more significant gains, surging 8.92 percent during the period to US$35.91, their highest since 2012.

In base metals, the COMEX copper price rose 4.78 percent over the week to US$4.86 per pound. Meanwhile, the S&P GSCI (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) posted a gain of 3.87 percent to close at 545.00.

Top Canadian mining stocks this week

How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

Stock data for this article was retrieved at 4 p.m. EDT on Friday using TradingView’s stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market capitalizations greater than C$10 million are included. Companies within the non-energy minerals and energy minerals sectors were considered.

1. Africa Energy (TSXV:AFE)

Weekly gain: 275 percent
Market cap: C$71.87
Share price: C$0.15

Africa Energy is a South Africa-focused oil and gas exploration and development company.

Its flagship asset is Block 11B/12B located approximately 175 kilometers off the south coast of South Africa. The block covers an area of 18,734 square kilometers and depths between 200 meters and 1,800 meters.

Africa Energy previously held a 4.9 percent stake in the project through its 49/51 joint venture with Arostyle Investments named Main Street 1549, which owned 10 percent of the asset. The remaining partners were project operator TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) at 45 percent, Qatar Petroleum at 25 percent and CNR International (TSX:CNQ,NYSE:CNQ) at 20 percent.

Main Street 1549’s three partners announced plans to withdraw from the Block 11B/12B joint venture in July 2024, and discussions on restructuring the ownership had been underway since.

Shares in Africa Energy began surging May 29 after Africa Energy announced a definitive agreement for the new ownership structure of the Block 11B/12B asset.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement between Africa Energy and Arostyle Investments, Africa Energy will increase its ownership of Main Street from a 49 percent to 100 percent stake. Additionally, the withdrawing parties assigned 65 percent of their participating interest in Block 11B/12B to Main Street and 25 percent to Arostyle.

The result will see Africa Energy increase its stake in the asset from 4.9 percent to 75 percent.

2. Allegiant Gold (TSXV:AUAU)

Weekly gain: 95 percent
Market cap: C$17.24
Share price: C$0.39

Allegiant Gold is a gold exploration company working to advance several projects in Nevada, United States.

Its flagship project is Eastside, located in Esmeralda County, consists of 973 unpatented lode mining claims covering 8,289 hectares. Nearly 70,000 meters of drilling has been carried out at the property since 2011.

A July 2021 mineral resource estimate showed inferred quantities at the site of 1.09 million ounces of gold with an average grade of 0.55 g/t and 8.7 million ounces of silver with an average grade of 4.4 g/t from 61.73 million tons of ore.

The most recent news from the company was announced on May 29, when it stated that its previously announced one-for-two share consolidation would take effect on Monday, June 2.

3. LaFleur Minerals (CSE:LFLR)

Weekly gain: 89.66 percent
Market cap: C$37.46
Share price: C$0.275

LaFleur Minerals is an exploration and development company working to advance a pair of projects in Quebec, Canada.

Its Swanson Gold project consists of a 15,290 hectare land package in the southern portion of Quebec’s Abitibi gold belt. Historic drilling at the site has uncovered 958 holes, revealing broad mineralization with widths of up to 40 meters. Additionally, the site has also had underground workings to a vertical depth of 80 meters to carry out bulk sampling.

A September 2024 mineral resource estimate suggested total indicated resources of 123,400 ounces of gold from 2.11 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 1.8 grams per metric ton (g/t) along with additional inferred quantities of 64,500 g/t from 872,000 metric tons with an average grade of 2.3 g/t.

The company’s other property, the Beacon Mill and Mine, is a past-producing mine, also located in the Abitibi gold belt. LaFleur acquired the mine in September 2024 as part of a receivership sale. Monarch Mining previously owned the mine, which has been on care and maintenance since 2022.

Most recently, the mine underwent a C$20 million refurbishment in 2022 and is capable of processing 750 metric tons of ore per day.

Shares in LaFleur gained this week after it announced updates for both properties on Wednesday.

At Swanson, it stated that it was planning a 5,000-meter drilling program, set to begin in June, with more than 50 targets having been identified. Additionally, the company announced that it is targeting early 2026 for the restart.

4. Eastern Platinum (TSX:ELR)

Weekly gain: 84.85 percent
Market cap: C$37.46
Share price: C$0.305

Eastern Platinum, also known as Eastplats, is a platinum group metal (PGM) and chrome mining, development and exploration company working to advance assets in South Africa.

Its most advanced asset is the Crocodile River mine, located northwest of Johannesburg. The mine began operating in 1987, but production was suspended in the early 1990s due to falling PGM prices. Since then, the mine saw some limited production in the early 2000s before once again being suspended.

After significant rehabilitation, chrome and PGM production from site tailings was restarted at the site in 2018 and 2020 respectively, and underground operations at the Zandfontein mine restarted in October 2023. In October of last year, Eastplats began commissioning a PGM processing plant that will process ore from Zandfontein.

A technical report from May 2022 demonstrated a proven and probable resource of 1.72 million ounces of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold, with an average grade of 3.68 g/t from 14.58 million metric tons of ore.

Although the company did not release news this week, shares in Eastplats gained alongside a surging platinum price.

5. TNR Gold (TSXV:TNR)

Weekly gain: 58.33 percent
Market cap: C$15.06
Share price: C$0.095

TNR Gold is an exploration and royalty company with a focus on the acquisition of green energy and gold assets.

The company owns the Shotgun Gold project in Alaska’s Kuskokwim Gold Belt. The property consists of 108 claims covering an area of 6,993 hectares. A 2013 technical report showed inferred quantities of 705,960 ounces of gold from 20.73 million metric tons of gold with an average grade of 1.06 g/t with a cutoff of 0.5 g/t.

Its royalty investments include a 1.5 percent net smelter royalty from Ganfeng Lithium’s (OTC Pink:GNENF) Marina Lithium project in Argentina. It also holds a 0.4 percent net smelter royalty in McEwen Mining’s (NYSE:MUX,TSX:MUX) Los Azules Copper, Gold and Silver Project, also in Argentina.

The latest news from TNR came on May 14 when it released a corporate update. In the release the company highlighted its success from the royalty portion of its business, and provided updates from its key investments.

It also said it was looking to attract a partnership with a major gold mining company to help advance its Alaskan Shotgun project.

FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?

The TSX, or Toronto Stock Exchange, is used by senior companies with larger market caps, and the TSXV, or TSX Venture Exchange, is used by smaller-cap companies. Companies listed on the TSXV can graduate to the senior exchange.

How many mining companies are listed on the TSX and TSXV?

As of February 2025, there were 1,572 companies listed on the TSXV, 905 of which were mining companies. Comparatively, the TSX was home to 1,859 companies, with 181 of those being mining companies.

Together the TSX and TSXV host around 40 percent of the world’s public mining companies.

How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

How do you trade on the TSXV?

Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Lauren Kelly, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Editor’s Picks: Marathon Project Gets Nod, Rio Tinto Opens Western Range, Indonesia Probes Nickel Mining

Here’s a quick recap of some of the most impactful resource sector news items for the week.

The period saw the Ontario government back the Marathon copper-palladium project, while Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) opened up a US$2 billion iron ore mine. Elsewhere, Indonesia suspended nickel mining in a protected region, and Chile debuted a solar-powered model to cut water-pumping energy use in mining.

Marathon project gets shovel-ready nod from Ontario

Ontario has designated Generation Mining’s (TSX:GENM,OTCQB:GENMF) Marathon project as a shovel-ready strategic minerals project, urging the federal government to invest in its development.

The project, located in Northwestern Ontario, is fully permitted for construction and is expected to produce significant quantities of copper, palladium, platinum, gold and silver over its anticipated 13 year mine life.

The announcement comes after the release of an open letter to Tim Hodgson, Canada’s minister of energy and natural resources. It identifies priority projects for Ontario and was penned by provincial ministers Stephen Lecce, Mike Harris and Greg Rickford, as well as associate ministers Kevin Holland and Sam Oosterhoff.

“Building on the investments in the Ring of Fire and the critical minerals supply chain we urge the federal government to invest in shovel-ready strategic mineral projects that are critical to building a secure, domestic supply chain including…Generation Mining’s Marathon project,” the Thursday (June 5) letter reads.

The Ontario government is facing mounting backlash over the recent passage of Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. It grants the province authority to bypass certain provincial and municipal laws for projects deemed economically significant, aiming to expedite developments like mining operations.

However, Indigenous leaders and environmental groups have criticized the bill, arguing that it undermines treaty rights and environmental protections.

Rio Tinto and Baowu open US$2 billion iron ore mine

Rio Tinto and China Baowu Steel Group have opened the Western Range iron ore mine in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, marking a significant milestone in both resource development and Indigenous collaboration.

The US$2 billion joint venture, owned 54 percent by Rio Tinto and 46 percent by Baowu, is projected to produce up to 25 million metric tons of iron ore annually, sustaining the Paraburdoo mining hub for approximately 20 years.

Western Range is the first Rio Tinto project to implement a co-designed social, cultural and heritage management plan (SCHMP) with the Yinhawangka Traditional Owners.

Established in 2022, the SCHMP aims to protect significant cultural and heritage values in the area.

Robyn Hayden, Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation board chairwoman, emphasized the importance of this collaboration. “The opening of the Western Range mine represents a shift in how our heritage is being recognised and respected,” she is quoted as saying in Rio Tinto’s Friday (June 6) press release.

Alongside the Western Range opening, Rio Tinto announced that development is moving forward at its Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia under an alternative mine plan.

While ramp up remains on track, with output from Panel 0 and Panel 2 expected in 2025 and 2026, the company has paused development in the Entrée Resources (TSX:ETG,OTCQB:ERLFF) joint venture area.

The pause will remain in place until the Mongolian government completes a necessary license transfer. Rio Tinto is instead accelerating work in Panel 2 South, which lies outside the Entrée joint venture zone. Copper guidance for 2025 remains unchanged at 780,000 to 850,000 metric tons.

Indonesia reviews nickel mining in biodiversity hotspot

Indonesia’s government has initiated a review of nickel-mining activities in the Raja Ampat archipelago, a region renowned for its rich biodiversity and often referred to as the ‘last paradise.’

The decision follows public outcry and Greenpeace Indonesia’s release of videos highlighting environmental degradation caused by nickel-mining operations on the islands of Gag, Kawe and Manuran

Greenpeace’s analysis indicates that over 500 hectares of forest and native vegetation have been cleared for nickel mining in these areas, leading to soil runoff and sedimentation that threaten coral reefs and marine ecosystems. These islands are classified as small islands under Indonesian law, which prohibits mining activities in such regions.

Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Indonesia’s environment minister, announced plans to visit the affected areas and stated that the government will take legal action against mining firms operating there after conducting thorough studies.

The energy ministry also suspended operations at Gag Nikel’s operations in Raja Ampat pending an inspection.

The nation is the world’s top producer of nickel, outputting 2.2 million metric tons in 2024. Indonesia’s nickel sector has undergone major shifts in 2025, with the government slashing mining quotas in response to falling prices and pledging to implement stricter ESG standards across its resource industries.

Nickel prices have been turbulent this year, opening the 12 month period at US$15,010 per metric ton and rising to a year-to-date high of US$16,440 in mid-March. Supply saturation weighed on the market through to April, when values sank to a year-to-date low of US$13,805. Prices have since rebounded and are sitting at the US$15,285 level.

Chile unveils model to reduce energy footprint for seawater use in mining

According to a recently published study, Chilean researchers at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Concepción have developed a real-time energy management model that uses predictive economic control to optimize power use in large-scale water-pumping stations.

The model was tested on a system supplying a reverse osmosis plant in Northern Chile, and integrates solar photovoltaic energy and battery storage to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

The site features seven 1,343 kilowatt pumps that transport water 120 kilometers uphill over a 1,000 meter elevation gain. Simulations compared conventional operation with hybrid setups using solar and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) Megapack batteries, showing the potential for more sustainable and cost-effective water transport.

‘The study was motivated by the sustained increase in electricity consumption associated with pumping seawater for mineral concentration processes, an increasingly common practice in areas with water scarcity,” said Daniel Sbarbaro, a researcher at SERC Chile and author of the paper.

This development is significant for lithium miners in Chile’s Atacama Desert, where freshwater resources are scarce and the mining industry increasingly relies on seawater desalination for operations.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Procter & Gamble to cut 7,000 jobs as part of broader restructuring

Procter & Gamble will cut 7,000 jobs, or roughly 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce, as part of a two-year restructuring program.

The layoffs by the consumer goods giant come as President Donald Trump’s tariffs have led a range of companies to hike prices to offset higher costs. The trade tensions have raised concerns about the broader health of the U.S. economy and job market.

P&G CFO Andre Schulten announced the job cuts during a presentation at the Deutsche Bank Consumer Conference on Thursday morning. The company employs 108,000 people worldwide, as of June 30, according to regulatory filings.

P&G faces slowing growth in the U.S., the company’s largest market. In its fiscal third quarter, North American organic sales rose just 1%.

Trump’s tariffs have presented another challenge for P&G, which has said that it plans to raise prices in the next fiscal year, which starts in July. The company expects a 3 cent to 4 cent per share drag on its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings from levies, based on current rates, Schulten said. Looking ahead to fiscal 2026, P&G is projecting a headwind from tariffs of $600 million before taxes.

P&G, which owns Pampers, Tide and Swiffer, is planning a broader effort to reevaluate its portfolio, restructure its supply chain and slim down its corporate organization. Schulten said investors can expect more details, like specific brand and market exits, on the company’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call in July.

P&G is projecting that it will incur non-core costs of $1 billion to $1.6 billion before taxes due to the reorganization.

“This restructuring program is an important step toward ensuring our ability to deliver our long-term algorithm over the coming two to three years,” Schulten said. “It does not, however, remove the near-term challenges that we currently face.”

P&G follows other major U.S. employers, including Microsoft and Starbucks, in carrying out significant layoffs this year. As Trump’s tariffs take hold, investors are watching Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report for May for signs of whether the job market has started to slow. While the government reading for April was better than expected, a separate reading this week from ADP showed private sector hiring was weak in May.

Shares of P&G fell more than 1% in morning trading on the news. The stock has fallen 2% so far this year, outstripped by the S&P 500′s gains of more than 1%. P&G has a market cap of $407 billion.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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S&P 500 on the Verge of 6,000: What’s at Stake?

A lot has happened in the stock market since Liberation Day, keeping us on our toes. Volatility has declined significantly, stocks have bounced back from their April 7 low, and the economy has remained resilient.

If you’re still feeling uncertain, though, you’re not alone. The stock market’s in a bit of a “wait and see” mode, going through a period of consolidation as it figures out its next move. 

The S&P 500 ($SPX) is hesitating to hit 6000 despite reclaiming its 200-day simple moving average (SMA). This indecision can leave investors feeling stuck in “no man’s land.” And it’s not just the S&P 500, either; most major indexes are in a similar scenario, except for small caps, which have been left behind. This could be because the market has priced in a delay in interest rate cut expectations.

Tech Is Taking the Lead

If you drill down into the major indexes, there is some action you shouldn’t ignore. Tech stocks have started to take the lead again, although momentum has been lacking. Over the past month, the Technology sector has been up over 4%.

FIGURE 1. S&P SECTOR ETF PERFORMANCE OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS. Technology is the clear leader with a gain of over 4%.Image source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes. It’s encouraging to see tech stocks regain their leadership position. Tech is a major force behind the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ($COMPQ). The daily chart of the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) shows the ETF has been trying to break above a consolidation range it has been stuck in since mid-May.

FIGURE 2. DAILY CHART OF XLK. Although the ETF has barely broken above its consolidation range, we need to see greater momentum to confirm a follow through to the upside.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.Nothing is standing in the way of XLK reaching its all-time high, but the momentum isn’t quite there yet. The 14-period relative strength index (RSI) is below 70 and looks to be stalling, pretty much in line with the overall stock market’s price action.

So, what’s the market waiting for? Maybe a catalyst, like Friday’s non-farm payrolls report. This week’s JOLTS, ADP, and ISM Services data didn’t move the needle much, but the NFP report could be the game changer.

S&P 500 Technical Forecast

Where could the S&P 500 go from here? Let’s dive into the weekly chart.

FIGURE 3. WEEKLY CHART OF THE S&P 500. The index is spitting distance to its all-time high. A break above the November high would clear the path to new highs.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

The S&P 500 broke above its 40-week SMA on the week of May 12 and has held above it. However, it has been in a consolidation for the last month, similar to that of XLK.

The S&P 500 is approaching its November high of 6017. A break above it could push it toward new highs. On the flip side, if it slides below the 40-week SMA, it would be a cause for concern and could mean the May 12 gap-up could get filled. Keep an eye on the 5688 level. If the S&P 500 pulls back close to that level and turns around, it would be a healthy correction — an opportunity to buy the dip. A further downside move would mean exercising patience or unloading some of your positions.

What’s Going On With Gold and Bonds?

While stocks are grinding sideways, gold prices are rising, and bond prices are showing green shoots. This price action tells us that investors could be bracing for slower growth ahead. It’s not something to panic about — just something to watch.

You can get a quick look at what gold, bonds, and all the major indexes are doing by checking out the StockCharts Market Summary page and Your Dashboard.

So, what should you do?

Hold, add, or fold? That’s the big question. The market needs time to digest a lot, from economic data to geopolitical risks and policy headlines. Keep checking in and monitor the sectors, observe index performance, and note how other areas of the market, such as precious metals and bonds, are reacting.

 Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.

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Clusters of Long Winning Streaks: What They’re Telling Us

Recently, the S&P 500 ($SPX) has been racking up a good number of wins.

Since late April, the index has logged its third winning streak of at least five: a nine-day streak from April 22–May 2 and a six-day streak from May 12–May 19. That makes for a cluster of long winning streaks, which is something that also showed up in late 2023 and mid-2024.

To put it simply, these bunches of buying usually show up in uptrends. Note how there were no five-day winning streaks during the three corrections pictured on the chart below (in August–October 2023, July–August 2024, and February–April 2025). Most of the clusters happened as the S&P 500 was in the middle of a consistent upswing; the only time we saw a long winning streak occur right before a big downturn was in late July 2024. That came after a strong three-month run from the April lows, with the S&P 500 gaining 14% in three months.

CHART 1. WINNING STREAKS IN THE S&P 500. Since late April, the S&P 500 has logged a nine-day streak from April 22 to May 2 and a six-day streak from May 12 to May 19.

Currently, the SPX is up 23% in just under two months. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a break in the action at some point soon.

The key difference between now and July is that back in July, the S&P 500 was making new highs for two straight months. That’s not the case now, as the index is still below the February 2025 highs. So it’s not apples to apples, but, at some point, the market will have to deal with more than a minor pullback once again.

Sentiment Check

After the close on Wednesday, I ran an X poll asking if the 0.01% move was bullish or bearish. The result: 61% said bullish.

This tells us that most people saw Wednesday’s pause as a sign that the bears are unable to push the market higher, which could be true. But it also suggests complacency. The onus still is squarely on the bears to do something with this, with the only true sign of weakness in the last six weeks coming on May 21, when the S&P 500 plummeted 1.6%. That ended up being an aberration… for now.

UBER Stock: One to Watch

Sometimes, a specific stock can provide clues about the broader market’s next step. Right now, we think that the stock is UBER.

Technically speaking, UBER is at a critical spot, and it’s also an important stock given that it was one of the first growth names to break out to new all-time highs. The stock remains in a long-term uptrend, which, of course, is bullish, but it has quietly pulled back 13% from its May 20 high of $93 and was just down nine out of 10 trading sessions (see the weekly chart of UBER stock). We can see that the stock has fully retraced the price action from the pattern breakout near $82.

CHART 2. WEEKLY CHART OF UBER STOCK. The stock is in a long-term uptrend, although it has retraced. Here’s where things get really interesting. UBER has now formed a potential bearish head-and-shoulders pattern, seen on the daily chart. If the stock breaks below $82, it will target the 71-zone.

CHART 3. DAILY CHART OF UBER STOCK. Will UBER’s stock price hold support or break below it? This chart is one to monitor.

So, here are three outcomes to watch for. UBER’s stock price could:

  1. Hold support (bullish).
  2. Break below $82, but then reverse higher, which would be a bear trap (bullish).
  3. Break below $82 and continue lower and hit the downside target (bearish).

If #3 occurs, the odds are UBER won’t be declining by itself; it’ll likely drag the broader market down with it. This shows the significance of UBER stock, which certainly makes it one to keep an eye on.

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Three Charts Showing Proper Moving Average Alignment

I’m a huge fan of using platforms like StockCharts to help make my investment process more efficient and more effective.  The StockCharts scan engine helps me identify stocks that are demonstrating constructive technical configuration based on the shape and relationship of multiple moving averages.

Today I’ll share with you one of my favorite scans, called “Moving Averages in Correct Order”, and walk through three charts that highlight the benefits of identifying charts in primary uptrend phases.

Primary Uptrends Can Be Defined By Moving Averages

This scan, which StockCharts members can access in the Sample Scan Library, basically looks for three criteria to be met for any chart:

  1. 20-day EMA > 50-day SMA
  2. 50-day SMA > 100-day SMA
  3. 100-day SMA > 200-day SMA

The general approach here is to find charts where the short-term moving averages are above their longer-term counterparts.  By making multiple comparisons, we can ensure a more consistent uptrend phase based on the recent price action.  

Let’s review two charts that I feel are representative of the stocks that will tend to come up using this scanning approach.

You’ll Probably Find Two Types of Charts in the Results

The most common result will be a chart that is in a long-term primary uptrend, making consistently higher highs and higher lows.  Netflix (NFLX) is a great example of this sort of “long and strong” price action.

The four moving averages have remained in the proper order as described above for most of the last 12 months.  After NFLX pulled back to its April low, a bounce back above the March swing high moved the 21-day exponential moving average back above the 50-day simple moving average.  From that breakout point, the stock has continued to push to new all-time highs into early June.

One thing I love about this scan is it helps me confirm which stocks are in persistent uptrends, because those are the types of charts that I generally want to be following as they trend higher.  But sometimes, a pullback chart will come up in the scan as well.  Here’s TJX, which has recently pulled back after achieving a new all-time high in May.

We can see that the moving averages returned to the proper order in early April after rotating higher off a major low in mid-March.  From that point, TJX had a false breakout in mid-April before finally completing the move to a new high in early May.  TJX subsequently gapped lower after an earnings miss, and the stock has now pulled back to an ascending 50-day moving average.

The TJX chart reminds me of three benefits of following moving averages over time.  First, we can look at the slope of an individual moving average to evaluate the shape of the trend on a specific time frame.  Second, we can compare multiple moving averages to validate the trend on multiple time frames.  Finally, we can use moving averages as potential support and resistance levels in the event of a pullback.

With TJX testing an ascending 50-day moving average this week, I’m inclined to treat this chart as “innocent until proven guilty” as long as it remains above this key trend barometer.  But if and when the 50-day moving average is violated, and if the moving averages are no longer in the proper order, then I would need to reevaluate a long position.

Why the Transition to Proper Order is So Important

This final example shows how the transition between moving average configurations can prove so valuable in understanding trend transitions.  Here’s a daily chart of VeriSign (VRSN) showing how the relationship between the moving averages can help us better label the different trend phases.

On the left third of the chart, we can see the moving averages mostly in a bearish order, confirming a distribution phase for the stock.  Then in June 2024, the moving averages change to where there’s no real clean definition of the trend.  This represents a consolidation phase, where buyers and sellers are essentially in agreement.

Finally, we can see that when the moving averages finally achieve a bullish configuration, VRSN is now in an accumulation phase of higher highs and higher lows.  And as long as those moving averages remain in the proper order, the uptrend phase is confirmed.

The goal with this moving average scan is to help us identify charts that are just rotating into the accumulation phase.  It’s also designed to encourage us to stick with winning trends as long as the price action confirms the uptrend.  And if and when the moving average configuration changes, then our approach should probably change as well!

RR#6,

Dave

PS- Ready to upgrade your investment process?  Check out my free behavioral investing course!

David Keller, CMT

President and Chief Strategist

Sierra Alpha Research LLC

marketmisbehavior.com

https://www.youtube.com/c/MarketMisbehavior

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.  The ideas and strategies should never be used without first assessing your own personal and financial situation, or without consulting a financial professional.  

The author does not have a position in mentioned securities at the time of publication.    Any opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person or entity.

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SEC’s propaganda blitz speaks to its fall from college football throne

If you’re explaining, you’re losing.

I thought about that old Ronald Reagan quote last week at the SEC spring meetings while the conference launched a days-long propaganda campaign explaining why it deserved more respect from the College Football Playoff committee.

The SEC’s best programs lost too often the past few years. Alabama’s four losses last season marked its most since 2007. Georgia lost just twice in three seasons from 2021-23 before losing three times last year. LSU hasn’t lost fewer than three times in a season since 2019. That 2019 season also marks the last time Florida won more than eight games. The less said the better about Auburn’s past five seasons.

We can debate whether the playoff committee would have been wiser to select a three-loss SEC team rather than SMU, but there’s no arguing this: A Big Ten team won the national championship each of the past two seasons, and the SEC didn’t even advance a team to the title game in those years.

The SEC’s consecutive seasons without a champion mark its longest drought since Florida State and Ohio State won the titles in 2013 and 2014.

It’s not that the SEC came unglued. It remains a deep league with few weaklings, but the SEC’s cream wasn’t as sweet as the Big Ten’s last season.

That left the SEC to explain its mightiness with rhetoric and graphs, rather than pointing to the national championship scoreboard.

“This (league) is not like any other,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said on the final day of his conference’s propaganda blitz in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Sankey paired that quote with a packet of paper several pages in length that sought to explain the SEC’s greatness.

NO CUPCAKES: If SEC wants playoff respect, it needs tougher games

BIG DECISION: SEC’s Greg Sankey can be hero or villain in playoff debate

While several SEC coaches and administrators tried to prop up the league with their words, LSU coach Brian Kelly broke ranks and spoke some plain truth.

“Look, the Big Ten right now holds it on the SEC,” Kelly said. “They won the last two national championships. That’s the reality of it.”

Here’s more reality: Big Ten teams went 6-4 in games against SEC opponents last season, including postseason results.

Kelly, a skilled orator, didn’t compliment the Big Ten for no reason. He paired his praise by challenging the SEC and Big Ten athletic directors and commissioners to come to agreement on more interconference matchups between these two super leagues.

Count Kelly among those who favor a Big Ten-SEC challenge.

“As (SEC) coaches – and I can speak for the room – we want to play Big Ten schools,” Kelly said. “You’ve got to get a partner. You’ve got to get a partner who says, ‘We’re in for that, too.’ We’ve made our voice clear. Our ADs know that, as well.”

Kelly exaggerated when he said he spoke for the room of SEC coaches. In truth, some other SEC coaches sounded more squeamish about the idea of an annual game against a Big Ten foe. Kelly is smart to push the envelope, though, because the SEC needs this interconference challenge more than the Big Ten does.

The SEC ruled the four-team playoff, but the conference up north scored the early advantage in the expanded playoff, both in number of qualifiers and bracket advancement.

The SEC might be deeper in number of robust teams, but a 12- or even 16-team playoff works well for the Big Ten’s quest to qualify its top quartet, even if the conference wavers down ballot.

This season, SEC newcomers Texas and Oklahoma will play Ohio State and Michigan, respectively. Alabama’s game against Wisconsin is the only other Big Ten-SEC matchup.

“We want to get challenged (by Big Ten opponents),” Kelly said, in what amounted to chiding a heavyweight belt holder to step into the ring.

The SEC’s most authoritative path to gobbling up at-large playoff spots would be to repeatedly beat Big Ten teams in non-conference clashes.

Consider the SEC’s basketball uprising. It dominated the non-conference schedule last season, including a 14-2 record in the ACC-SEC challenge.

Come Selection Sunday, an NCAA record 14 SEC teams qualified for March Madness. The SEC didn’t need to explain itself, because it owned the scoreboard.

Not too many years ago, that was true of SEC football, too.

This little Big Ten revolution spurred the SEC to double down on talking points. Anyone that spends that much time explaining must be losing a bit too much for comfort.

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

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Pacers stun Thunder in Game 1: NBA Finals highlights

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Indiana Pacers just kept playing.

Kept playing through turnover after turnover. Kept playing through a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Kept playing until they took their first lead of the game late in the fourth quarter. Kept playing until they stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-110 victory in Game 1 on Thursday, June 5.

Indiana’s relentless style for 48 minutes allowed them to overcome 25 turnovers and steal the series opener.

Tyrese Haliburton’s 21-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave the Pacers a 111-110 lead – and the victory. It was Indiana’s first lead of the game.

Pascal Siakam had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Obi Toppin had 17 points off the bench, and Haliburton added 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Pacers who were 18-for-39 on 3-pointers. The Thunder went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc in the fourth, while the Pacers went 6-of-10.

Game 1 was the Pacers’ fifth comeback victory from a deficit of 15 or more points in the 2025 NBA playoffs, the most by a team in a single postseason since 1998.

It was an improbable victory for the Pacers, who had 20 turnovers in the first half and trailed 94-79 with 9:42 left. But the Pacers believe in their system and ability to come back and win.

Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2024-25 NBA MVP, scored 38 points. He scored at least 30 points for the 12th time in the playoffs and has reached 30 in eight of his past nine games. Thunder All-Star Jalen Williams had 17 points.

It all added up to a must-see Game 1. USA TODAY Sports provides the highlights, analysis and more. NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt is in Oklahoma City. Follow along:

NBA Finals Game 1 highlights: Pacers 111, Thunder 110

Final: Pacers 111, Thunder 110

Tyrese Haliburton gave Indiana its first lead of the game on a 2-pointer with 0.3 seconds remaining as the Pacers stunned the Thunder at home in Game 1. This season, Haliburton is 13-of-15 (86.7%) on shots inside the final two minutes (including overtime) to tie or take the lead. He has scored 32 points on those 15 attempts. Three of them have come in the postseason.

Pacers back in it after 12-2 run

The Pacers, true to their form this postseason, aren’t going away quietly.

Indiana ripped off a 12-2 run to close the deficit to just four points with 6 minutes left. The Pacers have done it with 3-point shooting, flushing a trio of shots from beyond the arc in less than a minute.

The Pacers are 16-of-34 (47.2%) from 3-point range, compared to Oklahoma City’s mark of 11-of-28 (39.3%) — giving Indiana a 15-point edge on shots from deep. They started the quarter 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.

Thunder run opens largest lead

It may not be an overwhelming run by the Thunder, but it opened up the largest lead of the game.

Oklahoma City, known for its ability to ignite on massive runs, is on a 9-3 run to start the fourth quarter, opening up a 15-point lead with 9:42 left to play.

Not surprisingly, the run was capped by a Jalen Williams dunk that came on yet another Pacers turnover, their 24th of the game. 

What are the most steals in a NBA Finals game?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are closing in on history. The Thunder have 12 steals entering the fourth quarter, six shy of tying the NBA Finals record. The Boston Celtics hold the record after they swiped the ball from the Los Angeles Lakers 18 times during Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals. With the win, the Celtics clinched the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The NBA has been tracking that statistic since the 1973-74 season.

What are the most turnovers in a NBA Finals game?

The Pacers are up to 22 turnovers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, leading many to wonder what are the most turnovers a team has surrendered in the Finals? That record belongs to Portland, which turned the ball over 34 times in the Trailblazers’ 107-101 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the 1977 NBA Finals. Despite dropping the first two games of the championship series, Portland went on to win, 4-2. The NBA has been tracking that statistic since the 1973-74 season.

End Q3: Thunder 85, Pacers 76

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not yielding, but the Pacers are making things interesting.

Each time the Pacers have mounted a small charge in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Oklahoma City has responded. But, although the Pacers shrunk the deficit to single-digits, the Thunder are one quarter from taking a 1-0 series lead, holding an 85-76 edge through three periods.

The Pacers did a better job of protecting the ball in the third quarter, turning it over just three times in the period after they had given it away 19 times in the first half. Indiana’s shooting slightly cooled in the third, however, as forward Pascal Siakam is finding more of a rhythm. He leads all Indiana players with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Tyrese Haliburton has added 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, along with eight rebounds and five assists.

Thunder forward Lu Dort, typically known for his defense, came into Thursday shooting just 30.4% from beyond the arc in the playoffs. Through three quarters, he has nailed 5-of-7 (71.4%) from deep. His 15 points are second-best for the Thunder, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 28 on 12-of-26 shooting.

OKC hangs Western Conference finals banner

The Oklahoma City Thunder wasted little time celebrating its postseason accomplishments, displaying its Western Conference finals banner in the rafters of the Paycom Center before Game 1.

The Thunder won the series 4-1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after concluding the series with a 124-94 victory in Game 5 on May 28.

Oklahoma City also has a banner hanging for winning the conference championship during the 2011-12 season. The Thunder fell short in the NBA Finals that season to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.

There’s still a banner to play for this season with the Thunder hosting the first two games of the NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers.

Halftime: Thunder 57, Pacers 45

There was a stretch in the second quarter when the Indiana Pacers looked like they might go on a run.

The Thunder, however, continued to swarm, continued to force turnovers and a trio of Lu Dort 3s sparked a 9-0 run that helped Oklahoma City open up a 57-45 lead headed into the half.

The Pacers, for the second consecutive quarter, committed at least nine turnovers, to bring their total in the game to 20. The Thunder, not surprisingly, took 18 more shots in the first half than Indiana.

It’s almost remarkable that the Pacers are down just 12, especially when factoring in Indiana’s pedestrian scoring production from its starting five. Backup point guard T.J. McConnell leads all Pacers with nine points in just 11:15 of game time, while All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, the player whom McConnell spells, has just six on 2-of-5 shooting.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is clearly intent on getting to his spots, putting up 18 shots in the first half. He made eight of those and leads all players with 19.

Oklahoma City shot 20-of-54 (37.0%) from the floor, while the Pacers are 15-of-36 (41.7%).

One area where Indiana does deserve some credit, though, is transition defense; depite losing the turnover battle 20-4, the Pacers have yielded just nine points off those giveaways, compared to Indiana’s four points off of Oklahoma City’s four turnovers.

Fathers of Haliburton, Gilgeous-Alexander link up 

The 2025 NBA Finals has offered up an unexpected duo. 

John Haliburton and Vaughn Alexander, the fathers of Tyrese Haliburton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, respectively, posed for a photo together before their sons faced off in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Haliburton donned a yellow shirt featuring the Pacers logo with matching socks, while Alexander opted for blue tie-dye pants and a blue hoodie. 

Both sons were introduced to basketball by their fathers. John Haliburton served as a basketball referee, while Vaughn Alexander played basketball in high school and went on to serve as his son’s youth coach. 

End Q1: Thunder 29, Pacers 20

Though it was not an explosive quarter, the Oklahoma City Thunder have punched first in the NBA Finals.

The Thunder opened a 29-20 lead through one quarter on their swarming, turnover-inducing defense and steady shot making.

Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, was ultra-aggressive, attempting 11 shots in the first period, draining five. He finished the quarter with 12 points and a pair of rebounds.

Center Isaiah Hartenstein, who came off the bench after starting every Oklahoma City game this postseason, added seven points in just 4:40.

A few things to watch for the Pacers: All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton missed his first two shots and finished just 1-of-3 in the period, with three points. Thus far in the postseason, the Pacers have struggled when Haliburton fails to assert himself; in losses, he is averaging just 11.5 points per game. In victories, that figure jumps to 21.3.

The other issue facing Indiana is turnovers. The Pacers entered Thursday averaging just 12 turnovers per game in the playoffs. In the first quarter, the Pacers committed nine.

As a result, Oklahoma City took 10 more shot attempts (27) than Indiana did in the period. The Pacers, however, are actually shooting better — 47.1% — than the Thunder are (40.7%).

Pacers forward Pascal Siakam and backup point guard T.J. McConnell lead Indiana with four points apiece.

Local pastor opens NBA Finals with national anthem

Rob Clay sang the national anthem ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and the Pacers. Clay, a local pastor and singer, is a fan of the Thunder and has sung at OKC home games in the past. 

“Honored. Humbled. Ready,” Clay said in a post on Facebook. “Today, I have the incredible privilege of singing the National Anthem for Game 1 of the NBA Finals – a dream years in the making.”

Clay has been viewed as a good luck charm, performing the national anthem for Game 1 of the first-round series (against the Memphis Grizzlies) and the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets. He did not perform ahead of Game 1 in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. — James Williams

OKC hangs Western Conference Finals banner

The Oklahoma City Thunder wasted little time celebrating its postseason accomplishments, displaying its Western Conference Finals banner in the rafters of the Paycom Center.

The Thunder won the series 4-1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after concluding the series with a 124-94 victory in Game 5 on May 28.

Oklahoma City also has a banner hanging for winning the conference championship during the 2011-12 season. The Thunder fell short in the NBA Finals that season to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.

There’s still a banner to play this season with the Thunder hosting the first two games of the NBA Finals series against the Indiana Pacers. — James Williams

What time is Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1

  • Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
  • TV: ABC
  • Stream: Fubo, Sling TV

Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo

Where is Game 1 between Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. 

NBA expansion progress remains slow going

OKLAHOMA CITY — With the Finals starting in Oklahoma City (where the Seattle SuperSonics relocated in 2008), NBA expansion is a noteworthy topic, especially with Seattle, Las Vegas and other markets trying to land a team if and when expansion becomes a reality.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed the topic before Game 1.

“The current sense is we should be exploring it,” Silver said. “I don’t think it’s automatic because it depends on your perspective on the future of the league. As I’ve said before, expansion in a way is selling equity in the league. If you believe in the league, you don’t necessarily want to add partners. On the other hand, we recognize there are underserved markets in the United States and elsewhere, I think markets that deserve to have NBA teams. Probably even if we were to expand, more than we can serve.

“We have an owners’ meeting in July in Las Vegas. It will be on the agenda to take the temperature of the room. We have committees that are already talking about it. But my sense is at that meeting, they’re going to give direction to me and my colleagues at the league office that we should continue to explore it.”

Shaq is in the house – and his empire just keeps growing

TV commercials. Licensing deals. Other partnerships. O’Neal, 14 years removed from his Hall of Fame career that included four NBA championship rings and three Finals MVPs, seems to be cashing in everywhere.

On Wednesday, June 4, Netflix premiered a six-episode docuseries called ‘Power Moves with Shaquille O’Neal’ about the 53-year-old taking over as president of Reebok in 2023. (Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends Productions partnered with Sony Pictures Television on the show.) He is providing commentary during NBA TV’s coverage of Game 1 and Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. He is at Paycom Center.

Perry Rogers and Colin Smeeton, who have both worked closely with O’Neal for about 20 years, help paint a vivid picture of how O’Neal turned his millions in NBA wages into more millions — and became a household name. Read Josh Peter’s story on how O’Neal ‘flipped the script’ here.

Referees for NBA Finals Game 1

  • John Goble (Ninth Finals)
  • Marc Davis (14th Finals)
  • David Guthrie (Eighth Finals)

Thunder starting five for NBA Finals Game 1

The Thunder have made a change to their starting lineup, inserting Cason Wallace and moving Isaiah Hartenstein to the bench. This move gives the Thunder more options when it comes to defending Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton. Expect Wallace to spend time on Haliburton.

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

Pacers starting five for NBA Finals Game 1

  • Pascal Siakam, F
  • Aaron Nesmith, F
  • Myles Turner, C
  • Andrew Nembhard, G
  • Tyrese Haliburton, G

Jarace Walker injury update for NBA Finals Game 1

The Pacers will be without Jarace Walker to start the NBA Finals. He was ruled out of Game 1 with a right ankle sprain and the injury will likely keep him sidedlined for Game 2. Walker injured his ankle late in the Pacers’ 125-108 series-clinching win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 on May 31. Walker landed awkwardly on his right ankle after attempting to block a shot from the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns in the fourth quarter. 

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle shows support for ESPN’s Doris Burke

Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, an hour-and-a-half before his team was set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, opened his pre-game news conference to offer support for ESPN analyst Doris Burke.

A New York Times report from Wednesday, June 4 indicated that ESPN was evaluating the future of the network’s No. 1 NBA team — namely Burke and fellow analyst Richard Jefferson — after the finals.

“She has changed the game for women in broadcasting,” Carlisle said Thursday, June 5, of Burke. “I have a daughter who just turned 21, who is in her second year at (the University of Virginia). She’s not in the basketball industry, but Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there.

“It was just so sad to see these reports leaked, really unnecessarily before such a celebrated event. Doris is a friend. I’ve asked her many times why she doesn’t get into coaching; she has such great knowledge.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault jokes he doesn’t have many friends

OKLAHOMA CITY — Asked if he reached out to anyone in the coaching fraternity to discuss coaching in the NBA Finals and handling the spectacle of the series, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “I don’t have a lot of friends. I’m embarrassed. Never been more embarrassed in my life.”

He added: “I haven’t, like, scanned the coaching circles. I don’t have Phil Jackson’s number.”

Daigneault did chat with Billy Donovan. Daigneault was an assistant for Donovan at Florida and with the Thunder.

“I talked to Billy Donovan right after we clinched (the Western Conference),” Daigneault said. “He’s somebody obviously I’ve worked with, that’s played on high-level stages (and) got some insight from him.”

Opinion: Stop worrying about TV ratings. This NBA Finals should be appreciated

OKLAHOMA CITY — The email hit my inbox with the subject line “Will viewers watch Pacers-Thunder?”

The headline in the newsletter from Front Office Sports: “History shows Pacers vs. Thunder may draw record-low ratings.” It’s not the first time and won’t be the last time that TV ratings accompany a discussion of this season’s NBA Finals between Indiana and Oklahoma City.

The small-market matchup has generated this idea that there isn’t or won’t be interest. The NBA biosphere seems to thrive on debate and criticism with an emphasis on how some aspect of the game isn’t good enough and can be better.

The reflexive contempt for teams not from the coasts or bigger markets is odd. It’s not my job to sell this series. That’s on the NBA and its TV partner, Disney’s ABC, which is televising the Finals.

The Pacers and Thunder are on the cutting edge of today’s NBA. They emerged as the two best teams in the league ‒ rosters assembled with a savvy eye on making the parts fit. The matchup should be celebrated and appreciated. Read Jeff Zillgitt’s full column here.

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 controversial shot.

Thunder vs. Pacers: Who has the edge?

The Thunder were the best team in the regular season and have been the best team in the playoffs. The Pacers have been impressive the past two seasons, but this has seemed like Oklahoma City’s year since the first game in October.

Find out who has the edge in various categories with Jeff Zillgitt’s NBA Finals breakdown.

Thunder and Pacers NBA Finals X factors

In the NBA playoffs, the outcome often rests on the underrated.

Certainly, the performances of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton will be scrutinized and big games can propel their respective teams to victories. But it’s often the role players, sometimes off the bench, erupting on a scoring streak or clamping down on defense, who can make the difference between winning and losing.

USA TODAY’s Lorenzo Reyes gives three X factors for the Thunder and Pacers in this NBA Finals preview.

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.

Opinion: NBA’s new era of parity – and small-market success – what owners wanted

If the impending NBA Finals matchup of the league’s 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA’s owners intentionally brought on themselves. 

While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. 

Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. — Dan Wolken

Read Wolken’s full column here.

2025 All-NBA team 

Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. View the complete list. 

NBA champions by year

Winners over the past 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit NBA.com.

  • 2023-24 — Boston Celtics 
  • 2022-23 — Denver Nuggets
  • 2021-22 — Golden State Warriors
  • 2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks 
  • 2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers 
  • 2018-19 — Toronto Raptors 
  • 2017-18 — Golden State Warriors 
  • 2016-17 — Golden State Warriors 
  • 2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers 
  • 2014-15 — Golden State Warriors 
  • 2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs 
  • 2012-13 — Miami Heat 
  • 2011-12 — Miami Heat 
  • 2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks 
  • 2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers 
  • 2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers 
  • 2007-08 — Boston Celtics
  • 2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs 
  • 2005-06 — Miami Heat 
  • 2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs 

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Wednesday, June 4):

  • Spread: Thunder (-9.5)
  • Moneyline: Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340)
  • Over/under: 231.5

Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals series odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 1 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Wednesday, June 4)

  • Series winner: Thunder (-700); Pacers (+500)

Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals picks: USA Today staff predictions

USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder

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
  • Cydney Henderson: Thunder in six
  • Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
  • Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
  • Heather Tucker: Thunder in five
  • James Williams: Thunder in six
  • Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five

OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers predictions: Expert picks for NBA Finals

ESPN: 14 out of 15 experts pick Thunder

14 out of 15 of ESPN’s NBA experts pick the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers.

NBA.com: Every expert picks the Thunder

John Schuhman writes, ‘The Thunder are, simply, the best team in basketball. Their No. 1 defense has been ridiculously good in the playoffs, holding the Grizzlies, Nuggets and Wolves to 19.6, 15.0 and 4.2 fewer points per 100 possessions, respectively, than they scored in the regular season. (Take away the Game 3 blowout and the Wolves’ discrepancy would also be in the double-digits.) The Indiana offense vs. Oklahoma City defense could be the best one-end-of-the-floor matchup that we’ve seen in the Finals in a long time, but the Thunder should have the edge on that end of the floor and the other.’

NBC Sports: Experts pick Thunder

Kurt Helin writes: ‘Here’s Indiana’s problem: Tyrese Haliburton is outstanding, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is just better; Indiana’s defense is improved and can force turnovers, but OKC’s is elite and just better; Myles Turner is good, but Chet Holmgren is just better (especially paired with Isiah Hartenstein); the Pacers bench was good enough for the East, but the Thunder bench is just better. And so it goes down the line. Indiana is a quality team that’s about to get overwhelmed.’

What channel is the NBA game tonight? How to watch Thunder vs. Pacers

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

Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals schedule

  • Game 1, June 5: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
  • Game 2, June 8: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.
  • 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

NBA playoff bracket 

Eastern Conference finals 

  • No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2

Western Conference finals 

  • No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1

NBA Finals

  • No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder
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Watch: Haliburton’s game-winner completes NBA Finals Game 1 comeback

Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton did it again.

The Pacers trailed the Oklahoma City Thunder by as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but Indiana completed an epic comeback to steal the game on the road in Oklahoma City, thanks to a go-ahead shot from Haliburton.

‘We are a resilient group. We don’t give up until the clock hits zero,’ Haliburton said after the game. ‘We do a great job of just staying in the moment… We just walk teams down.’

The Pacers were within one point of the Thunder with 11 seconds remaining in the game, 110-109. The Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith rebounded a missed shot from Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and pushed the ball up the court to Haliburton, who nailed a 21-foot jumper to take a 111-110 lead with .3 seconds remaining. It marked the Pacers’ first lead of the game and Indiana held onto to take Game 1.

The Pacers have overcome five 15-point deficits this postseason alone:

  • June 5: at Thunder (15-point deficit)
  • May 21: at Knicks (17-point deficit)
  • May 13: at Cavaliers (19-point deficit)
  • May 6: at Cavaliers (20-point deficit)
  • April 29: vs. Bucks (20-point deficit)

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Caitlin Clark reacts to Pacers’ thrilling victory in Game 1 of Finals

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark had the same reaction as most basketball fans on Thursday, June 5, as the Pacers shocked the Oklahoma City Thunder with a late rally to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton scored the game-winner with a 21-foot pull-up jump shot before the buzzer.

“You cant make it up,” Clark said in a post on X that was followed up by 17 laughing emojis.

The Fever guard has been at several home games for the Pacers this postseason to witness what she has described as the ‘greatest comeback team’ she has seen. 

The Pacers have staged several big comebacks these playoffs, a few of them capped by Haliburton game-winners.

Clark could potentially be in attendance for Game 3 on Wednesday, following the Fever’s road game against the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday. She is out with an injury, but gave her first public comments Thursday since getting hurt, saying there’s a ‘possibility’ she will play.

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