Injuries threaten both squads’ chances in NBA Finals while Stanley Cup Final fights jet lag

The GIST: Two squads boast dominant 2-0 leads in the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final, but outside forces are threatening the action on both the hardwood and the ice. May the most resilient teams win…

Injuries threaten NBA Finals Game 3: The injury bug is plaguing the Boston Celtics (up 2-0) and the Dallas Mavericks ahead of tonight’s 8:30 p.m. ET showdown. Cs big man Kristaps Porziņģis is dealing with an extremely rare leg injury, while the Mavs’ fearless leader, Luka Dončić, will likely receive another painkilling injection for a chest injury ahead of tip-off.

• Dončić, the Western Conference Finals MVP, is crucial to the Mavs’ success, but his Game 2 triple-double still wasn’t enough to top Boston. He’ll need some support, namely from Kyrie Irving, to dig Dallas out of this two-game hole.

• Irving hasn’t hit a three this series, but if his previous NBA Finals performance is any indication, the best is yet to come. Stay tuned.

Florida Panthers closer than ever to first Stanley Cup: The Panthers are putting on their best-ever Final performance, topping the Edmonton Oilers 4–1 in Monday’s Game 2 to extend their series lead to 2-0. After allowing an early goal, Florida’s defense pounced back in their seventh postseason comeback of the year, holding Edmonton to just 19 shots.

• But now a shared enemy stands to impact both teams: travel time. The Florida vs. Edmonton series marks the farthest distance between two squads competing in a Stanley Cup Final, with a six-hour flight between cities.

• Edmonton already flew back north for tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Game 3 yesterday, but Florida isn’t taking off until today, opting for an extra day of rest at home. Will it pay off? The odds to win are in their favor, but only time will tell.