A former Cougar has a bone to pick with a former Colts punter.

John Mellencamp was so bothered by what Pat McAfee did during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks that the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter took to social media to voice his displeasure and apologize ‘on behalf of most Hoosiers.’

Mellencamp was at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when the Pacers took a 3-1 series lead on Tuesday, May 27, when the ESPN and WWE host riled up Pacers fans inside the arena during a timeout in the fourth quarter. McAfee used a few expletives while encouraging the crowd’s boos of Hollywood stars Timothee Chalamet, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee, all who were in attendance and rooting for the Knicks.

Mellencamp, 73, didn’t mention McAfee by name but chastised him for a lack of ‘Hoosier Hospitality.’

‘I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team – and in turn, support our team,’ Mellencamp wrote. ‘The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I’m sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown.’

McAfee acknowledged Thursday he is the ‘somebody’ to whom Mellencamp is referring. The former Indianapolis Colts punter, who based his daily sports talk show in Indianapolis, did not attend Game 5 on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden despite a social media invitation from Stiller in the aftermath of his antics. The Knicks beat the Pacers, 111-94, with Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, Stiller, Lee, Tracy Morgan and Shaboozey among the celebrities in the New York crowd.

The Knicks and Pacers meet again for Game 6 back in Indianapolis on Saturday, May 31. Indiana leads the Eastern Conference finals, 3-2.

Chris Sale added another milestone to his Hall of Fame resume.

The reigning National League Cy Young winner became the fastest pitcher in major-league history to reach the 2,500-strikeout milestone, breaking the record previously held by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson.

On his final pitch Thursday night, Sale struck out Edmundo Sosa of the Philadelphia Phillies to end the sixth inning for his 2,500th victim. The Atlanta Braves left-hander reached the milestone in 2,026 innings, besting Johnson’s record of 2,107 ⅔ innings in 1999.

In doing so, Sale also became the 38th pitcher in modern history to reach the milestone.

‘I appreciate it for what it is, but I try not to get too caught up in stuff like that right now,’ Sale said after the Braves’ 9-3 win in Philadelphia. ‘I know what our job is here. And no matter whether you have a good one or a bad one, the next one is the most important one.’

Said Braves manager Brian Snitker: ‘He’s kind of doing Hall of Fame stuff. That guy is probably as big a baseball fan as anybody, just the history of the game and the competition. He’s a ballplayer, and it’s really cool to watch.’

Sale, who is one of the highest-paid starting pitchers this season, is 3-3 with a 3.06 ERA through 12 starts this year. Last season, he went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and led the NL with 225 strikeouts en route to his first Cy Young award. During the course of his 15-year major league career, he has struck out 200-plus batters eight times and is one of four active pitchers with 2,500-plus career strikeouts, trailing Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw.

After a full regular season by 32 NHL teams and three rounds of the playoffs, including a couple of scares, the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is the same as last year’s.

The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 6-3 on Thursday to set up a rematch with the Florida Panthers, who clinched a third consecutive berth on Wednesday. The Panthers won in seven games last year.

The Oilers jumped to a quick 2-0 lead on goals by Corey Perry and Mattias Janmark, leading Stars coach Peter DeBoer to pull Jake Oettinger for backup goalie Casey DeSmith. Veteran Jeff Skinner, making his second playoff appearance, made it 3-0.

After that, the Stars settled down, with Jason Robertson scoring twice in the game. But Edmonton countered every time Dallas pulled close. Connor McDavid got a key breakaway goal in the second period after Roope Hintz cut the lead to 3-2.

‘That’s one of the nicest goals I’ve seen him score,’ teammate Leon Draisaitl said of McDavid. ‘That’s a big-time play. There’s only one person in the world that can do that in that moment, and we’re very fortunate to have him on our side.’

Evander Kane scored in the third period after Robertson pulled Dallas within one again.

The Oilers have reached the final after losing the first two games of the first round and trailing in the third period of Game 3. But they beat the Los Angeles Kings in six games, the Vegas Golden Knights in five games and the Stars in five.

Florida knocked off the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. They had fallen behind 2-0 to the Maple Leafs before winning in seven games.

Florida will try to become the first NHL team to win back-to-back championships since the 2020 and 2021 Lightning, while the Oilers will try to become the first Canadian team to win since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens.

USA TODAY provided live updates from Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Scroll below for highlights and a full recap:

Oilers vs. Stars highlights

What’s next for the Edmonton Oilers?

The Oilers get another chance against the Panthers as they try to win their first title since 1990. They forced a Game 7 last season after losing the first three games before losing in the decisive game.

‘It was a great learning experience and it’s really driven us all year,’ McDavid said.

He said this year’s run has felt more normal.

‘It hasn’t been as emotional,’ he said. ‘We haven’t had the highs and we haven’t had the lows, just kind of been steady, and I think that has put us in a good position. … We have as good as chances are they do.’

What’s next for the Dallas Stars?

They rebounded from a season-ending seven-game losing streak to win two round before fall in the conference final for the third year in a row. They made their big move near the trade deadline by acquiring Mikko Rantanen and signing him for eight years. But their list of unrestricted free agents is huge, including captain Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene, Mikael Granlund, Colin Blackwell and Cody Ceci.

Why Peter DeBoer pulled Jake Oettinger

Stars goalie Jake Oettinger got a quick hook after Edmonton took a 2-0 lead. Coach Peter DeBoer said he didn’t blame Oettinger fully for the goals but explained his reasoning for putting in backup Casey DeSmith early in the first period.

‘The reality is if you go back to last year’s playoffs, he’s lost six of seven games to Edmonton and we gave up two goals on two shots in an elimination game,’ DeBoer said after the game. ‘It was partly to spark our team and wake them up and partly knowing that status quo had not been working. That’s a pretty big sample size.’

Did the Oilers touch the Clarence Campbell Bowl?

Yes, Oilers captain Connor McDavid and others touched the Western Conference championship trophy. Last year, the team didn’t touch it (it’s considered bad luck because the Stanley Cup is the true goal) and lost. Of course, the Panthers didn’t touch the Eastern Conference’s Prince of Wales Trophy last year and won. Florida didn’t touch it this year.

Game recap

Final score: Oilers 6, Stars 3

Edmonton is making its second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final and will face the Panthers again. The Oilers have home-ice advantage this time.

Score update: Oilers 6, Stars 3

Kasperi Kapanen gets an empty-netter.

Stars pull goalie

Extra skater out there for Dallas.

Score update: Oilers 5, Stars 3

Edmonton strikes back quickly again. Evander Kane gets a bounce off Stars defenseman Esa Lindell.

Score update: Oilers 4, Stars 3

Jason Robertson scores his second goal of the game 38 seconds into the period to pull Dallas within one. Not a good allowed by Stuart Skinner and fans start chanting his name.

Third period underway

Oilers 20 minutes away from another trip to the Stanley Cup Final.

End second: Oilers 4, Stars 2

The Stars go nearly 10 minutes without a shot then get a Roope Hintz power-play goal. Oilers captain Connor McDavid does what he does best, showing off his tremendous speed to get a breakaway goal a little more than two minutes later and give Edmonton some breathing room.

Score update: Oilers 4, Stars 2

Connor McDavid restores Edmonton’s two-goal lead with a breakaway goal. Mattias Ekholm picks up the assist in his first game since April 11.

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 2

The Stars move the puck around well on the power play and Roope Hintz scores for his first goal of the series. Another assist for Wyatt Johnston.

Stars power play

Mavrik Bourque, who has played well since his early high-sticking penalty, is hauled down by Mattias Ekholm.

Oilers defensive effort

Stars get first shot of the second period about 10 minutes in.

Stars power play

Brett Kulak, whose turnover led to Dallas’ goal, is called for hooking. Edmonton blocks several shots and kills it off.

Second period underway

3-1 Edmonton.

End first: Oilers 3, Stars 1

The Oilers take advantage of sloppy defensive play by the Stars and get two goals (Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark) on two shots. That leads coach Peter DeBoer to pull goalie Jake Oettinger. Backup Casey DeSmith gives up a quick goal to Jeff Skinner. But Dallas gets one back by Jason Robertson and will try to regroup after the intermission. The Stars will have to avoid the careless penalties. Shots are 9-7 Edmonton.

Oilers power play

Another high-sticking call. This time to Sam Steel. Dallas gets a needed kill. Stars have the best chance while short-handed but Stuart Skinner stops Thomas Harley.

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 1

Jason Robertson scores after a turnover by Edmonton’s Brett Kulak. Wyatt Johnston gets the assist.

Score update: Oilers 3, Stars 0

Goalie change doesn’t work. Jeff Skinner scores at 8:07 in just his second game of the playoffs. Rout is on. Edmonton has three goals on six shots.

Stars goalie change

Casey DeSmith comes in for Jake Oettinger.

Score update: Oilers 2, Stars 0

Mattias Janmark scores at 7:09. Dallas calls a timeout.

Score update: Oilers 1, Stars 0

Connor McDavid feeds Corey Perry in front on the power play at 2:31. Bad start for the Stars. That’s 100 career playoff assists for McDavid.

Oilers power play

Mavrik Bourque called for high-sticking 1:47 in.

Game underway

Stars’ Colin Blackwell lines vs. Oilers’ Mattias Janmark line.

What time is Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 5?

Game 5 of the Stars-Oilers series is Thursday, May 29 at 8 p.m. ET in Dallas.

How to watch Stars vs. Oilers NHL playoff game: TV, stream

Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. local
Location: American Airlines Center (Dallas)
TV: ESPN
Stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Edmonton Oilers lines

Troy Stecher is sitting out with Mattias Ekholm returning. Connor Brown will miss a second consecutive game.

Dallas Stars lines

Mavrik Bourque making his first appearance since the first round.

Goaltending matchup

Stars’ Jake Oettinger (9-8, 2.72 goals-against average, .908 save percentage) vs. Oilers’ Stuart Skinner (5-4, 2.47, .910)

Oilers’ Jeff Skinner returning to lineup

Because of the injury to Zach Hyman, Oilers forward Jeff Skinner will make his first appearance since Game 1 of the first round.

‘The guys have been playing really well, battling really hard,’ he told reporters. ‘I’ll just try to come in and read off those guys and try to keep it simple and try to contribute.’

Zach Hyman out after surgery

This will be the Oilers’ first full game without forward Zach Hyman, who was injured in Game 4 on a Mason Marchment check. He had surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the playoffs.

Hyman scored 70 goals last season between the regular season and the playoffs. This season, he has 11 points in 15 playoff games and a league-leading 111 hits in the postseason, nearly 30 more than the next player.

‘He’s not going to be replaced but hopefully everyone can step up a little bit, a few more hits from everyone else throughout the lineup,’ Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. ‘Hopefully somebody is going to come up with an important goal.”

Mattias Ekholm injury update

Veteran Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm will return from an injury for Game 5. He last played on April 11.

Ekholm, 34, had 33 points in 65 games this season while averaging 22 minutes a game.

‘For him to come back and feeling great, it’s a great addition to our team,’ said Knoblauch, who expects to go with 12 forwards and six defensemen in the game.

Western Conference final schedule

Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3
Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0
Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1
Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1
Game 5: Thursday, May 29, Edmonton at Dallas, 8, ESPN
x-Game 6: Saturday, May 31, Dallas at Edmonton, 8, ABC
x-Game 7: Monday, June 2, Edmonton at Dallas, 8, ESPN

Get the latest sports news delivered conveniently to your inbox. Sign up for USA TODAY Sports’ daily newsletter now!

OXON HILL, Md. — In 2024, Faizan Zaki came up short in the spell-off. 

That wasn’t going to happen again. Because he made sure there was no spell-off. But he also didn’t make it easy on himself. 

Zaki bested Sarvadnya Kadam in the 20th round to win the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night. He sealed the deal by nailing éclaircissement, running out of breath and collapsing to the floor as confetti fell on him and the crowd erupted. 

“I can’t describe it,” Zaki said minutes later. “It’s so amazing, getting to this point. Winning? I never expected this.” 

Last year, Zaki lost to Bruhat Soma in the spell-off and became just the fifth runner-up to later win the Bee.

“Obviously, I was really disappointed. But then I just had that sudden drive to keep studying,” Zaki said. “So that’s what motivated me to do better. And now I’m here. I have the trophy.”  

The Allen, Texas, native had a chance to hoist the Scripps Cup after the 18th round before one of the more dramatic Bee scenes in some time ensued. Kadam and Sarv Dharavane misspelled their words before Zaki stepped to the mic.

But he rushed and didn’t pay attention to head pronouncer Dr. Jacques Bailly’s version of “commelina” – Zaki started with a “k” for the word he thought he’d heard – and judge Mary Brooks’ bell rang .

 “He gave us a brief heart attack,” Arshia Quadri, Zaki’s mother, told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s him. It doesn’t surprise me that he did that.”

Zaki – sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission – signaled to the crowd with a thumbs-up. He had everything under control. 

And after finishing second the year prior, the moment still felt elusive.

“I know he’s put in the work,” Quadri said. “Still, it feels surreal.” 

Finishing as the runner-up last year was “a little bit of a disappointment” for her son, Quadri added. “But we were really excited,” she said. “Even a runner-up is pretty amazing, and we had not gone in expecting that.” 

Still, Quadri never envisioned him holding the trophy “even though he is good.” Call it a mother’s anti-jinx. 

As the competition entered the top-three stage (the night began with nine finalists of 243 who made the trip to a convention center outside Washington D.C.), Zaki said he had no nerves.

But he was tired, and that contributed to his slip-up in the 18th that allowed his last two counterparts a chance to re-enter the competition. 

“I think the reason I did that was I wanted to go back to my hotel room or go to my friends to say hi,” he said while standing next to the Scripps Cup. 

The next week for Zaki will include plenty of time in front of the camera. On Friday, he’ll be on nearly every major network morning show and their streaming complements. He also has time lined up with “Inside Edition” and CNN. “LIVE with Kelly and Mark” is on Monday, and he’s ringing the NASDAQ closing bell that evening.  

Dharavane, a fifth-grader who is 11, finished third and won over the crowd with his cool, upbeat demeanor at the microphone.  

Throughout the three days of competition outside of the nation’s capital, Zaki kept his hands in the pocket of his black Aeropostale hoodie. His long, dark brown hair flowed between his pupils and his eyeglasses. The back-and-forth hand gesture with each letter made another appearance on stage, where he confidently stated his answers, although he still asked pertinent questions and went through his process.  

Zaki came in as the favorite but would never say it. 

“I didn’t want to get too cocky, obviously,” he said. “Now I’m just glad to say that I’ve fulfilled those expectations, and even went beyond them.” 

Zaki would have one more year of eligibility had he not won it all in 2025. Now, he might join Math Olympiad since he enjoys that subject. He’s passionate about linguistics and might enter a competition in that field. 

“I’ll have to think over summer what to do,” Zaki said. “I’ll definitely make sure to get some new hobbies, since spelling’s over.” 

But for one night in May, redemption was spelled “F-A-I-Z-A-N.” 

(This story was updated to include video.)

The Chicago Bears are back in action this week for offseason training activities (OTAs). It’s the first year under new coach Ben Johnson and year two for the franchise with quarterback Caleb Williams.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft made headlines weeks ago for an excerpt from ESPN writer Seth Wickersham’s upcoming book, ‘American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback.’ That excerpt included information that Williams’ family looked into potential ways he could circumvent the draft and avoid playing for the Bears.

‘For this to come out, it’s been a distraction,’ Williams said. ‘All that went down, all that was said, yeah, I had a good visit at the other place, Minnesota. Kevin O’Connell, good staff and all that… but something that keeps getting lost, something that keeps… not being addressed the way it needs to be is the fact that I went on that visit first.

Then after I came (to Chicago) … I went back home, talked to my dad, and all of the things that were supposed to be these big things that everybody’s been talking about recently, one, never happened in the sense of, they were all thoughts, they were all ideas.’

The excerpt from Wickersham’s book included quotes from Williams’ father, Carl, saying that ‘Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die,’ ‘the rookie cap is just unconstitutional’ and the current NFL collective bargaining agreement is the ‘worst piece of s— I’ve ever read. It’s the worst in sports history.’

It detailed that the the Williams family looked into possibly having him sign with a United Football League team for a year before coming to the NFL as a free agent in 2025.

Wickersham’s excerpt stated that after his visit in Chicago, Williams told his father he could be a part of the franchise changing.

‘It was a deliberate and determined answer that I had,’ Williams said at OTAs. ‘I wanted to come here and be the guy and be a part and be a reason of why the Chicago Bears turned this thing around.’

Chicago started Williams’ rookie season 4-2 before losing 10 straight games after their bye week. The franchise made an unprecedented move of firing a coach mid-season with Matt Eberflus let go after a loss to the Detroit Lions.

Williams said he loves being in Chicago and still has one main goal in mind.

‘The main objective of being here is to turn (things) around,’ he said. ‘That’s what we’re here to do. That’s what they brought me here to do, that’s what they brought all these guys here to do. Joe (Thuney), DJ (Moore), all these different guys. And that’s why they brought Ben (Johnson) here.

‘It’s a challenge and we look at those challenges and we don’t laugh, we look at them really seriously and we go attack them to the best of our ability.’

Jessica Clements and UCLA softball finished out the evening of Women’s College World Series action with a walk-off home run to defeat Oregon 4-2 on Thursday.

The Bruins and the Ducks were tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Bruins had the potential game-winning run on first base with two outs before Clements clinched the victory with her home run.

The ball landed just over the fence in center field and into the hands of a fan in attendance.

‘We just have an unwavering faith in each other and what we are doing,’ UCLA catcher Alexis Ramirez told NCAA sideline reporter Michella Chester after the game.

Ramirez played a key role in the game for the Bruins, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run.

The Bruins held a 2-1 lead going into the final inning before the Ducks tied the game after a controversial obstruction call at home plate.

Oregon’s Paige Sinicki slid toward home plate but was tagged by Ramirez, who appeared to have her foot on the plate. The Ducks challenged the call and were awarded the run after the call was reversed.

As a result of the victory, the Bruins will advance to the winner’s bracket, while Oregon falls into the loser’s bracket and will play Ole Miss Friday night to try to keep their championship hopes alive.

The Bruins dramatic home run was the second walk-off homer on the opening day of the Women’s College World Series. Earlier Thursday, Oklahoma’s Ella Parker hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to lead the Sooners to a 4-3 comeback victory over Tennessee.

It was also UCLA’s second walk-off homer in less than a week. UCLA was one out from elimination in Game 2 of the super regionals before Jordan Woolery hit a game-winning home run in the seventh inning to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Bruins went on to win Game 3 of the super regional to advance to the WCWS.

Who will UCLA softball play next?

UCLA will play Texas Tech on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Texas Tech beat Ole Miss 1-0 with Lauren Allred scoring a run in the fourth inning after scoring on an error.

It was do or die for the New York Knicks.

The Knicks trailed the Indiana Pacers 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals heading into Thursday, but the Knicks defeated the Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 at New York’s Madison Square Garden to force a Game 6 in Indianapolis.

‘Celebrity Row’ turned out in droves and got to witness the Knicks’ first win at home this series.

Longtime Knicks fan Spike Lee made his first Eastern Conference Finals appearance during the Pacers’ Game 4 win over the Knicks, but he got an icy reception from Indiana fans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. ESPN personality and former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee gave Lee, Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet a WWE style lashing during the fourth quarter: ‘Lets send these sons of (expletives) back to New York.’

Did Lee, Stiller and Chalamet sit courtside in New York? Did McAfee dare show his face in the Big Apple? We got you covered. USA TODAY Sports tracked all the stars that made an appearance during Game 5:

GAME 5 RECAP, HIGHLIGHTS: Knicks stave off elimination at The Garden

Celebrities at Knicks game today

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals brought out a variety of celebrities, ranging from Knicks legends (Patrick Ewing and Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier) to comedians (Tracy Morgan), actors (Timothée Chalamet, Susie Essman, Ben Stiller, Maude Apatow and Spike Lee), musicians (Shaboozey, Idina Menzel and Joey Badass) and world-class athletes (Michael Strahan, Kevin Love and Henrik Lundqvist).

Date Night: Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner courtside

It’s date night at the Garden. Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner were spotted in Madison Square Garden’s ‘Celebrity Row’ Thursday. Chalamet wore a blue and orange letterman jacket, while Jenner matched in a coordinating leather jacket. The A-list couple packed on the PDA. As they were shown on the Jumbotron, Chalamet planted a kiss on Jenner’s cheek. The duo previously attended Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals between the Knicks and Boston Celtics together earlier this month.

Chalamet and Jenner appeared to be on a double date with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ star Miles Teller and his wife Keleigh Teller, who were seated next to them.

Spike Lee would ‘give up’ Oscar for Knicks title

Spike Lee bleeds orange and blue, so much so that he offered up an improbable exchange in order for the Knicks to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy for the first time in over five decades.

‘I would give up an Academy Award. Oscar, for the Knicks to win a Championship,’ Lee said Thursday.

Spike Lee reunites with Reggie Miller at Madison Square Garden

Spike Lee is back in the Garden. The Academy Award-winning director, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a superfan in October 2024, donned a blue and orange pinstripe suit to Game 5, paired with a blue fedora and his signature glasses. He stopped by the ‘Inside the NBA’ pregame show, along with TNT commentator Reggie Miller. The two have history. If you remember, Lee and Miller went back and forth with each other during the Pacers’ Game 5 win over the Knicks in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, where Miller dropped 25 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter. Miller flashed his infamous choking gesture at Lee.

‘It’s all love,’ Lee said Thursday. Miller added, ‘We will forever be intertwined because of this.’

Lee’s commitment to the Knicks is unwavering, as he has been a season-ticket holder since 1985. His fandom, however, dates back to his childhood in Brooklyn. Lee has often shared that one of his most memorable moments as a Knicks fan was attending Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when New York won its first championship.

Don-don… Mariska Hargitay in the building

Jalen Brunson’ favorite person on the planet is at Madison Square Garden. Longtime “Law & Order: SVU’ actress Mariska Hargitay and co-star Kelli Giddish sat courtside and Brunson is probably starstruck. In fact, she’s the only celebrity that has left the Knicks superstar in awe.

‘I’ve never been like super, super starstruck. I saw her and I was like, ‘Oh, (wow),’’ Brunson said during a May 4 episode of his “The Roommates Show” podcast, which he hosts alongside teammate Josh Hart. ‘Then, the first time we met, it was awesome, we talked and everything.’

A friendship between Brunson and Hargitay has been brewing since he donned royal blue and orange. The two shared a hug after the Knicks’ 108-102 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 11, which Hart called a rarity. (‘I’ve seen you not hug your wife after some losses,’ Hart joked.) In February, Hargitay announced Brunson’s All-Star selection with a special video, where she congratulated ‘one captain to another.’ (Hargitay has played Olivia Benson, captain of the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit, since 1999.)

Chef Bobby Flay spices things up courtside

The Knicks are cooking in Game 5, so it is only right that celebrity chef Bobby Flay is in the building. Flay is a New York City native and was raised on the Upper East side of Manhattan.

Idina Menzel at Madison Square Garden

The Knicks aren’t going to let go of the postseason just yet. Multi-hyphenate singer Idina Menzel, who voiced the hit single ‘Let it Go’ on the soundtrack of ‘Frozen,’ was on hand at Madison Square Garden, not far from the Theater District in New York City where she got her start in ‘Rent’ and ‘Wicked.’

Musicians Shaboozey, Joey Badass front and center

Someone will surely buy Grammy-nominated musician Shaboozey ‘a double shot of whiskey’ if the Knicks continue to dominate the Pacers in Game 5. Shaboozey was front and center at Madison Square Garden after presenting at the American Music Awards on Monday. He’s not the only musician in the crowd. Rapper Joey Badass, a Brooklyn native, is present. The Knicks social team captioned a photo of him: ‘Badmon representin.’

Michael Strahan, Gayle King spotted

A New York legend is in the building. Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan is in attendance. Strahan helped the Giants win Super Bowl 42 over the New England Patriots in 2008. He was seated next to ‘CBS Mornings’ anchor Gayle King.

Ben Stiller invites Pat McAfee to Game 5. Will McAfee come?

McAfee opened up about his viral moment with Ben Stiller, Timothée Chalamet and Spike Lee during Game 4 on ESPN’s ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Wednesday: ‘They asked me to do that in the fourth quarter and I wasn’t gonna say no.. would like to let them all know, mad respect for coming out… all love.’

Stiller reposted the clip on his Twitter account, writing, ‘Come to game 5 Pat!!’

Although the Knicks fans want to return the… um… hospitality, McAfee said he ‘will not be at Madison Square Garden tonight.’ McAfee frankly said: ‘I’m not paying $70K for a ticket.’

Stiller, however, is in attendance. He has attended every game of the Eastern Conference Finals so far, but has yet to see the Knicks win at Madison Square Garden. He’s hoping Thursday is the night.

Tracy Morgan wins T-Shirt toss souvenir

Tracy Morgan is just like us — He wants free swag. The longtime Knicks fan was back in Madison Square Garden for Game 5 and snagged himself some goodies during a T-shirt toss.

Kevin Love skips Cancun for NYC

Kevin Love isn’t in Cancun. The Miami Heat star is at Madison Square Garden, seated near the Pacers’ bench.

Knicks legends represent: Patrick Ewing, Clyde Fraizer in the house

The champs are here. Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier and Bill Bradley led the Knicks to two titles in 1970 and 1973, which remain the franchise’s only NBA championships to date. He’s not the only Knick alum to return home for Game 5.

Knicks legend Patrick Ewing was also on hand. The 11-time All-Star played for the Knicks from 1985 to 2000 and currently serves as the Knicks’ basketball ambassador. Ewing stopped by the ‘Inside the NBA’ pregame show to say hello to host Ernie Johnson. Former Knicks players Bernard King (1982–1987), Larry Johnson (1996–2001), Stephon Marbury (2004–2009) and Raymond Felton (2012–2014) are also in attendance.

Michael Imperioli in the building

‘The Sopranos’ actor Michael Imperioli is in the house (without a neck brace).

John Mellencamp not happy with Pat McAfee

Hall of Fame singer-songwriter and Indiana native John Mellencamp was not a fan of McAfee’s rant.

“I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team — and in turn, support our team,’ Mellencamp wrote on X. ‘The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life.’

When is Pacers vs. Knicks Game 6?

The Knicks kept their season alive and the Eastern Conference Finals now shifts back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday for Game 6 against the Pacers at 8 p.m. ET (TNT).

What time is Pacers vs. Knicks?

The New York Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks

Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Madison Square Garden (New York)
TV: TNT, truTV
Stream: Sling TV, Fubo, Max

Watch Knicks vs. Pacers Game 5 on Sling

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.