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The Boston Celtics are on their way to the NBA Finals. Despite yet another spirited effort while Tyrese Haliburton watched on the sideline with an injury, the Indiana Pacers were unable to pick up a win on their home floor to elongate the Eastern Conference Finals, and as a result, Boston completed a sweep with a 105-102 win.

For the second game in a row, despite being undermanned due to Haliburton’s injury, the Pacers did not back down in the first half. While they were not able to open up the sort of double-digit lead that they had at halftime in Game 3, Indiana always had an answer when Boston looked like it was positioning itself to go on a run — the first half saw five ties and 13 lead changes.

The play of Andrew Nembhard, who was once again terrific, and Pascal Siakam carried the Pacers, as the former had 16 points in the first half and the latter had 13. T.J. McConnell, as he’s done all postseason, was excellent off the bench, going for eight points in nine minutes.

But the problem was Jayson Tatum brought his A-game. Tatum had his fingerprints all over the game, as went into the locker room with 16 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Thanks to that, along with 10 points each from Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown, Boston held a 58-57 edge at halftime.

The third quarter was defined by Boston going cold from the field. The team went 1-for-10 from behind the three-point line, with their only made triple coming at the very end of the period. In all, the Celtics only scored 22 points in the third, their lowest-scoring quarter of the entire series.

While they did not run up the score, Indiana was able to take advantage of this by leading for nearly the entire quarter. The lead got up to as many as six points, and while the Celtics never quite let them open up a lead, the Pacers were able to take an 83-80 lead into the fourth.

Indiana continued to build out its lead to start the fourth quarter, getting it up to as many as nine points. But with a little less than seven and a half minutes left, the team saw its spark plug head to the locker room, as Brown caught McConnell after the Pacers guard reeled in an offensive rebound. While he had to go to the locker room, there was no flagrant foul assessed to Brown on the play.

McConnell was able to return to the game, and by the time he returned with just under four minutes to go, Boston had gotten the lead down to two. And eventually, after a dunk by Tatum and a floater by Brown, the Celtics tied things up at 102 each with 2:40 to go in the game.

And then, both teams went cold, as there were six consecutive possessions with a miss or a turnover before someone decided to call a timeout. Out of the break, Brown denied Nembhard as he went up for a layup, and on the ensuing possession, he got the ball into the hands of White in the corner, who drilled a three.

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Nembhard missed his effort to tie the game from three, and after a foul, the Pacers opted to try and play out a possession before trying to force overtime. The plan looked like it was going to work, as Tatum bricked a three with eight seconds left, but Holiday beat Aaron Nesmith to a rebound, and Indiana was unable to foul before the clock hit zero.

The Jays led the way on the night for Boston, with Brown putting up 29 points and Tatum going for 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Holiday had 17 points and nine rebounds, while White did a little bit of everything with 16 points, five steals, four assists, four rebounds, and three blocks. Nembhard had 24 points and 10 assists for Indiana, while Siakam had 19 points and 10 rebounds. McConnell (15 points, five rebounds, four assists) and Toppin (12 points, seven boards) gave them good contributions off the bench.

Boston will now wait to see if the Dallas Mavericks can finish off their sweep in the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night. Regardless of what happens in that series, the Celtics will not play again until June 6, when the NBA Finals begin.

The soft sound of slow-moving water down a creek. The smell of fresh coffee roasting in the morning. A thick blanket resting across your lap during the first snowfall of winter.

Sure, you might find these things soothing. But none of them — none of them — compares to watching (and listening to) Bob Ross paint.

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In case you’ve never experienced Ross, he’s that “soft spoken guy painting happy clouds, mountains, and trees in about 26 television minutes,” as his website explains. And if you think that sounds boring, well, you’re wrong. It’s one magical half-hour of television euphoria. End of discussion.

Ross died back in 1995 (rest in peace, Bob), but you can still catch his show, “The Joy of Painting,” on TV from time-to-time (or you can binge watch it on YouTube after a rough day at work). His website claims it’s the “most recognized, most watched TV art show in history.” And who could argue with that? No one. No one, I tell you.

Although it’s been more than two decades since Ross’ show was canceled, one episode recently resurfaced online.

An especially old one — episode four of season two — made its way onto the front page of Reddit on Sept. 1, 2015. It begins like any other: Ross smiling brightly next to a blank canvas, ready to take us on an endorphin-filled visual journey.

But then, plot twist, as Ross explains, this episode won’t be quite as colorful as the others…

“Anyone can paint.” (I wish he could give me Monday morning pep talks every week.)

In case you want to print out that quote and hang it on your wall or something (we could all use a little more Bob-spiration, after all), here it is in its entirety:

“Just recently I was doing a demonstration in a mall, and I had a man come to me and he said, ‘Bob, I could never paint because I’m colorblind. All I can see is gray tones.’ So I thought today we’d do a picture in gray just to show you that anyone can paint.”

Ross had a wonderful habit of reminding viewers that art is for everyone.

While his talents were extraordinary, Ross never made viewers feel like they couldn’t create their own beautiful works of art, too.

The colorblind fan could have had achromatopsia — a condition that affects roughly 1 in every 33,000 Americans by limiting their vision to see only in grayscale. But Ross was determined to make painting — an activity seemingly dependent on color — an accessible art form for him: “Any color will work, as long as you use the basic method.”

In the episode, Ross goes on to paint his own version of 50 shades of gray, masterfully creating rocky mountains behind a wintry sky.

As Ross explains, he only used various hues of browns and blues mixed together (which end up coming through as various grays), along with white.

“Isn’t that fantastic? That you can make whole mountains in minutes? And you can do it. There’s no big secret to it. All you need is a dream in your heart.”

Bob Ross was incredible.

Not only at painting (and assuring me with that soothing voice that the world is a wonderful place), but at helping everyone feel good about themselves and their own abilities. Thank you, Bob.

Check out the whole episode below:

This article originally appeared on 09.01.15

Bill Walton died on Monday after a battle with cancer at the age of 71, and the news stunned and saddened the basketball world.

The tributes and memories fans, players, and media members shared of Walton offered a terrific example of how he had such a lasting impact on the game. From his time at UCLA to Portland to San Diego to Boston, people posted stories of Walton’s on-court prowess and anecdotes from his career. Others remembered Walton’s time calling the NBA on NBC, providing the soundtrack to the biggest games of the 90s. Many younger fans remember Walton’s most recent chapter as a broadcaster, calling college basketball games (mostly in the Pac-12) for ESPN.

His partner for the majority of those games was Dave Pasch, who had an incredible chemistry with Walton, playing the straight man trying to call games while Walton wandered about, going down whatever path his mind presented to often discuss anything and everything but the game. They were a joy to watch, and on Monday, Pasch called in to SportsCenter to offer a remembrance of his longtime partner and share a touching anecdote about Walton, the person.

He also offered up an incredibly funny story of how they made up a bit about George Lucas creating Chewbacca in Walton’s image and then it got picked up by big entertainment outlets.

It is a perfect tribute to Walton by someone who knew him like few do, and a glimpse into the man who was a truly unique force. Another of Walton’s play-by-play partners, Jason Benetti, who called games with him on ESPN and later joined Walton for the always bizarre Throw It Down simulcast on NBA League Pass, posted a similarly fitting tribute to the legend.

The sports world was met with sad news today, May 27: Bill Walton, basketball hall-of-famer and NBA legend, is dead at 71 years old after a battle with cancer. This is a noteworthy loss for the music world, too: If you know two things about Walton aside from his basketball achievements, one is that he had an unceasingly optimistic and offbeat personality. The other is that he was perhaps the world’s biggest (both in terms of enthusiasm and physical size) Grateful Dead fan.

Naturally, when Dead & Company — an offshoot band featuring some original Grateful Dead members, John Mayer, and others — launched nearly a decade ago, Walton was all in. This means Mayer has gotten to know Walton a bit, and back in 2023, he spoke about his experiences with the sports icon.

Mayer was Walton’s guest on an interview-style NBA broadcast in January 2023, and he reminisced about Walton speaking to him before taking the stage for a Dead & Company show. It was very Bill Walton.

Mayer said, “You know, it’s really just him being very laser-sharp. When Bill gives you advice, he looks you dead in the eye and everything stops, and he speaks with this cadence: ‘Go out there, give it your absolute all. Don’t be shy, they are here to watch you play. Go play to the greatest of your ability.’”

Mayer also noted that Walton gave him “some of the greatest compliments I’ve ever been given,” including “some very nice things that sent me on stage with a lot of confidence.”

Dead & Company, by the way, is in the midst of a run of shows at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Check out the Mayer/Walton clip above and revisit more of the broadcast below. Basketball fans have also been sharing their favorite clips of Walton, so find some of those here.

It was a weekend for Nicki Minaj. On Saturday, May 25, Minaj live-posted her chaotic arrest at an Amsterdam airport during her Pink Friday 2 World Tour. According to The Associated Press, Netherlands police “discovered marijuana in her bags as she was preparing to leave the country.”

Minaj was released later that night, as reported by various reputable outlets, after “sitting in a jail cell for five-to-six hours,” according to Minaj. The debacle forced Minaj to postpone her scheduled May 25 Pink Friday 2 World Tour concert in Manchester, England. (Minaj also had a pre-existing May 30 Manchester show on her tour.)

“OK guys, I was JUST RE-ADVISED that we actually CAN NOT do any other date for the make up #gagcityMANCHESTER date besides JUNE 3rd,” Minaj wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, May 27. “So JUNE 3rd is the new official date for all ticket holders who originally had tickets to the MAY 25th #Manchester show. I apologize for all the inconvenience this has caused. I really hope you can make the #JUNE3rd show. It’ll be really special. Ticketmaster will contact you to advise officially. #GAGCITY Love you.”

Minaj was able to perform as scheduled in Birmingham, England, on Sunday, May 26, and she will hit up London’s famed The O2 on May 28, Glasgow on May 29, Manchester on May 30, Paris on June 1, and Amsterdam on June 2, before looping back to make up her May 25 Manchester date on June 3.

See all of Minaj’s remaining dates here, and check out some of her posts regarding the matter below.

While the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef is primarily focused on those two rappers, others, like Metro Boomin, have gotten involved as well. Things have mostly died down in terms of the feud, and now Metro was even joking about it on a recent Instagram Live broadcast from 21 Savage.

21 Savage hopped on Instagram Live over the weekend, and at one point, he added Metro to the broadcast, as HipHopDX notes. However, Metro jokingly called 21 “OVO Savage” in the comments section, also joking, “I JUS KNOW U GOT A OWL TRAMP STAMP.”

After realizing what happened, 21 booted Metro from the broadcast and said, “Oh, you was talking sh*t, b*tch? Get off my Live. […] I’m finna block this n****.” He then quoted Drake’s “Push Ups” and yelled, “Metro, shut your ho-ass up and make some drums, n****.”

21 is of course caught in the middle of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud: Metro is on Kendrick’s side, while 21 has a relationship with both Drake and Metro. In a different Live session from earlier this month, 21 said, “Don’t keep coming on to my motherf*cking Live talking about no motherf*cking beef. Metro my brother and Drake my brother. Those n****s going to figure that sh*t out eventually.”

Bill Walton died on Monday at the age of 71 after a lengthy battle with cancer, leaving a massive hole in the basketball world that cannot truly be filled. Walton was as genuinely unique a figure as the sport has ever had. An all-time great player who is remembered by most fans today as one of the most eccentric and entertaining figures in basketball, bringing his joy and verve for life and the game of basketball to our TV screens for more than 30 years after his playing career ended.

Walton was endlessly curious, constantly seeking out new information and gleefully presenting it to the public in the middle of game broadcasts, whether it made sense in the moment or not. What was so unique about Walton, the broadcaster, is rarely did he go on tangents that felt like rants, airing grievances about what the game or the world had become. Instead, he would excitedly discuss some historical fact about bridges, trees, animals, bodies of water, music, or whatever else popped into his head, and seamlessly go right back to yelling “THROW IT DOWN, BIG MAN” as someone dunked in front of him.

Two generations of basketball fans grew up with Walton, one with his NBA work on NBA and then ABC/ESPN, and another with his college hoops work for ESPN and the Pac-12 Network. The latter is when Walton really got loose, typically partnered with Dave Pasch (and later Jason Benetti) and actively tried to sabotage their professionalism. Upon news of Walton’s death on Monday, fans remembered him in the only way they could, by posting their favorite videos of Walton, living life, speaking about players, and calling games as only he could.

Keeping up with new music can be exhausting, even impossible. From the weekly album releases to standalone singles dropping on a daily basis, the amount of music is so vast it’s easy for something to slip through the cracks. Even following along with the Uproxx recommendations on a daily basis can be a lot to ask, so every Monday we’re offering up this rundown of the best new music this week.

This week saw Drake and J. Cole make a couple guest appearances and PinkPantheress return after her debut album. Yeah, it was a great week for new music. Check out the highlights below.

For more music recommendations, check out our Listen To This section, as well as our Indie Mixtape and Pop Life newsletters.

Sexyy Red — “U My Everything” Feat. Drake

The Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef appears to be pretty much over at this point, as we haven’t had a new diss track in a while. Drake clearly hasn’t forgotten, though: On Sexyy Red’s “U My Everything,” there’s a sample of “BBL Drizzy” on Drake’s verse.

Cash Cobain and J. Cole — “Grippy”

J. Cole reeled the negative energy back in after attacking Kendrick Lamar on “7 Minute Drill.” Now he’s back with a more collaborative and even accommodating energy: As Uproxx’s Aaron Williams notes of the new Cash Cobain collaboration “Grippy,” “The song is definitely closer Cobain’s wheelhouse than Cole’s, yet the veteran rapper easily adapts to the new style.”

PinkPantheress — “Turn It Up”

After a year or so of emerging as a breakthrough star, PinkPantheress came through with her debut album, Heaven Knows, in November. Just half a year later, she’s already back with new music: Last week, she unveiled “Turn It Up,” which has PinkPantheress’ characteristic mix of tempo and serenity.

DIIV — “Raining On Your Pillow”

DIIV recently told Uproxx’s Steven Hyden of their new album Frog In Boiling Water, “For a lot of people, that is part of what they fell in love with with the first two albums — this rich, dreamy atmosphere that is very feelings-forwardd. Rather than this song has an amazing bridge and an amazing chorus. A lot of times with the earlier songs, sometimes there wasn’t even a chorus, but it didn’t really matter because the song felt so good to listen to. I feel like the new album has an element of that which makes it feel more comprehensive in our catalog.”

RM — “Lost!”

RM strays away from BTS’ sugar-sweet pop on his dynamic new solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. He showed that on the John Mayer-y song “Come Back To Me” and with the project’s latest single, the upbeat and off-kilter “Lost!.”

Vince Staples — “Black&Blue”

After absolutely nailing a season of The Vince Staples Show, the rapper is back to rapping: His new album is Dark Times and it’s highlighted by cuts like the Thee Sacred Souls-sampling “Black&Blue.”

NewJeans — “How Sweet”

Sorry, millennials, but the ’90s and ’00s are retro for the kids now. NewJeans demonstrates that on “How Sweet,” which is inspired by the sounds and aesthetic of the turn of the century while remaining unmistakably fresh.

Zach Bryan — “Pink Skies”

After dropping a self-titled album last year (and his debut LP the year before that), Zach Bryan keeps chugging on: He has another new one, The Great American Bar Scene, expected soon, and last week’s “Pink Skies” is a nice taste, a warm, folky number.

Clairo — “Sexy To Someone”

Clairo announced a new album called Charm last week and a press release described the project as “a collection of warm, ’70s-inspired grooves that move lithely between jazz, psychedelic folk, and soul.” She showed that on the single “Sexy To Someone,” which has a delightfully vintage lean to it.

Central Cee — “Band4Band” Feat. Lil Baby

Cee and Baby came together for a transatlantic meet-up last week with “Band4Band.” On the hard-hitting number, the two rappers get some flexing in, whether it’s about pounds or US dollars.

In January, Lady Gaga posted photos from the studio and began vaguely teasing a new album. Mostly recently, Gaga gave her Little Monsters a portal to nostalgia with her Gaga Chromatica Ball concert film premiering on HBO and streaming on Max over the weekend, but Gaga expertly used the opportunity to give everyone something to look forward to.

Gaga Chromatica Ball ends with Gaga leaving the stage, Michael Jackson-style, while a message flashes across the screen: “LG7 GAGA RETURNS.” Fans at watch parties worldwide predictably lost their collective minds. Even though Gaga did not confirm a release date, a title, or any pertinent information, the confirmation that Gaga’s seventh studio album will likely arrive sooner than later is enough for now.

At her Gaga Chromatica Ball premiere, Gaga told Entertainment Tonight that the new music will drop “soon” and that her next album and era will be “completely different.”

“I have written so many songs,” Gaga said in a video circulated by the Lady Gaga Now fan account. “I am producing so many songs, and it’s nothing like anything that I’ve ever made before. But I love the break genre. I love to explore music, and there’s something really beautiful about knowing that you will be loved, no matter what you do.”

The impending LG7 will be Gaga’s first solo LP since Chromatica in May 2020.

One of basketball’s all-time great players and personalities died on Monday, as the league announced the somber news that Bill Walton had passed away at age 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” Adam Silver said in a release. “As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships, and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75t Anniversary Teams. Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans. But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events – always upbeat, smiling ear to ear, and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy, and admired the time he took with every person he encountered. As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him. My heartfelt condolences to Bill’s wife, Lori, his sons, Adam, Nate, Luke, and Chris, and his many friends and colleagues.”

Walton won a pair of championships at UCLA, where he also was the three-time National Player of the Year before joining the Portland Trail Blazers and leading them to their lone NBA championship in 1977 (earning Finals MVP honors) before winning a second title as a member of the Boston Celtics in 1986. He won the league’s MVP award in 1978 and while injuries cut short the prime of his career, he averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game across his 10-year career in Portland, San Diego, and Boston.

For all of Walton’s on-court accolades, most fans today know him because of his broadcasting work, particularly with NBC and ESPN. He would meander through various tangents and non-sequiturs about music, nature, and anything and everything that popped into his head, but his love of the game and celebratory attitude was always present.

There simply will never be another Bill Walton, and the game of basketball will miss his presence.