Known primarily for his unparalleled NFL reporting, Adam Schefter has surprisingly shown a sharp eye for basketball predictions as well.
A clip from last September recently resurfaced, spotlighting a bold NBA Finals prediction he made that now looks increasingly accurate.
On NBA Today, Schefter predicted a Finals matchup between the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma City Thunder-going further to pick Oklahoma City as the eventual NBA champions.
“I’m going to take the New York Knicks versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, and I’m going to crown Oklahoma as the new NBA champion,” Schefter confidently stated.
With a wink, he added that if his pick comes true, he’d consider applying to replace Adrian Wojnarowski as ESPN’s NBA insider.
Oklahoma City on course to prove Schefter right
The timing was noteworthy, coinciding with Wojnarowski‘s retirement announcement, though Shams Charania eventually took over the role. Still, Schefter’s joke now carries more weight given recent events on the court.
The Oklahoma City Thunder punched their ticket to the NBA Finals after a commanding 124-94 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s 34 points and earning unanimous MVP honors for the series, the Thunder dominated from the opening quarter, establishing an early 26-9 lead and never looking back.
This strong performance is no accident. Throughout the season and playoffs, the Thunder have impressed with their depth, stifling defense, and relentless pace.
After a grueling seven-game series against Denver, Oklahoma City bounced back with a statement win against Minnesota.
Contributions from young stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, who combined for 41 points, highlighted the team’s balanced attack and potential.
Just four wins remain for the Thunder to claim their first NBA championship, putting Schefter’s prediction tantalizingly within reach.
Meanwhile, the Knicks face a tougher road. Trailing Indiana 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, New York’s comeback hopes are slim. Though that part of Schefter‘s forecast may fall short, his Thunder pick continues to gain credibility.
Could Schefter‘s knack for basketball insights surprise the sports world? While he joked about trading in his football insider role for basketball, his Thunder prediction is proving remarkably prescient.
Should Oklahoma City secure the title, ESPN might want to give Schefter a guest spot on NBA Countdown-because, for now, his NBA Finals call is one of the most accurate out there.
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