NFL

RB David Johnson retires

Johnson obviously won’t be enshrined in Canton, but the former Cardinal, Texan and Saint was arguably the best back in the league in 2016, uplifting an underachieving 7-8-1 Arizona team. The Northern Iowa product could do it all with his rushing and receiving abilities, consistently weaving his way through and around defenders. Johnson was never the same following a 2017 wrist injury — his third season in the NFL — but he was a flash of lightning early in his career with the Cardinals.

NBA

Pacers 130, Knicks 109

Indiana was a fun regular season story, but most people — myself included — dismissed them as a threat to advance far in the playoffs. The Pacers had other ideas. Tyrese Haliburton’s aggressiveness represents a substantial swing in how the Pacers perform, and the point guard was looking for his shot in this game, scoring 26 points on 17 shots.

Pascal Siakam was a smart addition by Kevin Pritchard earlier this season, and the former Raptor played a huge role yesterday, recording 20 points and four assists. Indiana will likely be overmatched against Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Pacers have enough guys capable of stepping up to give the team a slim chance against the mighty Celtics. It won’t be easy though; that’s why I’m leaning Celtics in five.

The house finally collapsed for the Knicks. Injuries aren’t a great excuse for losing or poor performance, but New York was battered by the start, and especially by the end of this Game 7. OG Anunoby started this game, but could barely move, so he was quickly yanked. Later in the game, Jalen Brunson departed with a broken hand.

As it turns out, that was a death sentence for a Knicks team already missing Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson. Donte DiVincenzo did his best work yesterday in trying to save New York — he had 39 on nine made threes — but the Pacers shot 67.1 percent from the floor — a ridiculous figure that was far too much for the Knicks to overcome.

New York will likely only make minor additions this summer — the franchise’s core is basically already in place — but bringing back forward OG Anunoby will certainly be at the top of Leon Rose’s to-do list.

Timberwolves 98, Nuggets 90

Not only do the Timberwolves play tough defense — that’s a given — but Minnesota is mentally tough. After shockingly winning Games 1 and 2, the Wolves lost three straight. That didn’t deter Chris Finch’s team, though, as Minnesota responded with a haymaker in Game 6 and a ferocious comeback in Game 7.

It’s hard to survive a 6-for-24 shooting night from a star in a closeout game — just ask the 2010 Lakers — but like Los Angeles, Minnesota found a way. Stifling defense was the biggest factor, but the Timberwolves’ frontcourt is huge and effective, and the mountainous foursome of Karl-Anthony Towns, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid combined for 70 points yesterday.

Minnesota will likely be favored versus Dallas in the West Finals, as it should be, but Luka Doncic will present a new challenge for the team’s overpowering defense in what should be a fun series. Timberwolves in seven.

A defending champion losing a Game 7 the next season is hard to fathom, especially a contest at home, but it’s hard to repeat. Denver will come back strong next season, but the team needs to do everything in its power to add more juice around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. The duo combined for 69 points in this tilt, but didn’t receive much help. Michael Porter, in particular, was bad, shooting just 3-for-12.