NBA Finals Game 1: Kentucky Stars Make History – But Not the Kind BBN Hoped For

Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals delivered drama, heartbreak, and a bit of history — just not the good kind if you’re a Kentucky fan.

For the first time since Jamal Murray hoisted the trophy with Denver in 2023, a former Wildcat is guaranteed to earn an NBA championship ring. Whether it’s Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Indiana’s Isaiah Jackson (despite being sidelined), Big Blue Nation wins no matter what. And with rookie Cason Wallace getting major minutes for the Thunder, there’s even more reason for Kentucky fans to tune in.

But let’s talk about that wild opener.

An Unforgettable Game 1 — For All the Wrong Reasons (If You’re a Thunder Fan)

No NBA team had ever overcome a 9-point deficit with under three minutes to play in the Finals. Until now. Oklahoma City led 108–99 with just 2:57 on the clock. Then Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers did the unthinkable.

After a clutch bucket trimmed the lead, SGA — who had been brilliant all night with 38 points — had a chance to seal it with one of his signature mid-range jumpers. But it rimmed out.

Seconds later, Haliburton dribbled into a tough, contested shot over rookie Cason Wallace — and nailed it with 0.3 seconds to go. Just like that, the Pacers stole Game 1 on the road, 111–110.

Wallace, meanwhile, continued to showcase his growth, logging 33 minutes and scoring 6 points while earning key defensive assignments.

Kentucky’s Imprint on the Finals

With Gilgeous-Alexander leading OKC’s charge and Wallace playing a crucial supporting role, this series is shaping up to be another shining example of Kentucky’s dominance at the next level. Meanwhile, Isaiah Jackson, though injured, remains a vital piece of Indiana’s long-term plans.

Even with John Calipari’s exit, the Kentucky-to-NBA pipeline is thriving. And with new head coach Mark Pope taking over, the Wildcat legacy isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

So whether you’re rooting for OKC’s dynamic duo or quietly pulling for Indiana to complete the upset, Big Blue Nation already has skin in the game — and bragging rights no matter the outcome.

Game 2 Details

Don’t miss the next chapter of this electric series:
Game 2 tips off Sunday at 8 PM ET on ABC.

Watch it on cable, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or your local over-the-air station. Either way, you’ll be witnessing more history made — with Kentucky fingerprints all over it.

So, BBN — who’s your pick? Thunder, Pacers… or just that shiny ring at the end?

Let me know if you’d like a version shortened for social media or turned into a newsletter segment!

“Trent Noah’s Jersey Number Holds a Secret Legacy You Won’t Believe”

Sometimes, a single number can represent something far greater than it appears. For Kentucky basketball, the number 9 is one of those symbols — simple in appearance, yet rich in legacy.

That number now rests on the back of Trent Noah, a talented forward from Harlan County, Kentucky. A local standout and a product of the Commonwealth, Noah didn’t originally plan to wear Kentucky blue. He had committed to South Carolina and Coach Lamont Paris. But the coaching shuffle in the spring — with John Calipari leaving and Mark Pope returning to lead the Wildcats — changed everything. When Pope reached out, it wasn’t about flashy promises or playing time. It was about something deeper: a sense of place and purpose.

When Noah donned the Kentucky jersey for the first time, the applause inside Rupp Arena wasn’t just for his basketball abilities. It was for what he represented — a young man from Eastern Kentucky living out a dream. To that region, it wasn’t just a basketball moment; it was a symbol of pride and recognition.

But the jersey itself — and more specifically, the number on it — holds a weight that stretches far beyond the game.

Before Noah, no one had worn the number 9 at Kentucky in over eight decades. The last player to do so was Kenneth England, a quiet and disciplined athlete from Campbellsburg, Kentucky, who played under the legendary Adolph Rupp in the early 1940s. England wasn’t a star in headlines but was known for his selfless style of play. His 1941–42 season saw him score 117 points across 24 games.

However, his time in Lexington was cut short. Like many in his generation, England left basketball behind to serve in World War II. He became a captain in the U.S. Army’s elite 10th Mountain Division. By the winter of 1944, he was leading troops in Italy, helping to liberate Mt. Belvedere from Nazi forces. His bravery earned him the Bronze Star.

On April 14, 1945, during a mission through a minefield, Captain England was mortally wounded. Even in his final moments, he requested that his morphine be used for his fellow soldiers. For his valor, he was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.

Though a memorial field in Italy honors his name and a gold star inside Memorial Coliseum in Lexington marks his sacrifice, his jersey number remained unused — until now.

With the unveiling of the renovated Memorial Coliseum this past April — a space now dedicated to honoring more than 10,000 Kentuckians who served in the military — Kenneth England’s story was once again brought to light. One quiet gold star bears his name. There are no spotlights, but the memory endures.

“This is the first time since 1943 anyone has worn his number,” said Margina Grow, a relative of England, in an interview with LEX18. “So we’ve been cheering for Trent Noah.”

It’s not about stats or future NBA potential. It’s about legacy. About a player from Harlan County unknowingly carrying forward the legacy of a hero from Campbellsburg. The number 9 now connects two Kentuckians across time — one chasing a dream, the other who gave his life for others.

As Noah takes the floor this season, he’ll make plays, take shots, and hear the crowd rise at Rupp. But with each moment, he carries something deeper — not just the hopes of a fanbase, but the memory of a fallen soldier.

That one number on his jersey now tells two stories — both rooted in Kentucky, both worthy of honor.