The Rockets find themselves on the cusp of championship contention. Their disruptive, dominant defense is camera-ready for basketball's biggest stage. Their competitive fire and the fight instilled under head coach Ime Udoka can keep sturdy legs beneath them through the final rounds of a heavyweight brawl.

Even before the Milwaukee Bucks were officially eliminated from the 2025 NBA Playoffs in Tuesday's stunning 119-118 Game 5 loss to the Indiana Pacers, questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise were already being raised.

After losing in the first round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledged his disappointment while saying he needed to look in the mirror to find ways to improve.