HoopsHype.com Rumors

Lance Stephenson finished with a playoff career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers pulled away late to beat the New York Knicks 106-99 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday night and won their Eastern Conference semifinal series four games to two. Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

Two days ago he was a non-factor, hitting just 1-of-7 shots in a loss at Madison Square Garden that threatened to shift the momentum of the series. But here was Lance Stephenson, all 22 years of him, dominating one of the most important – and best – games ever played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Here was Lance Stephenson, becoming the fifth starter to lead the team in scoring in this series with a career-high 25 points, and adding 10 rebounds and zero turnovers in his 34 minutes. Here was Lance Stephenson, playing an essential and fearless role as the Pacers advanced past New York to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004, back when he was a 13-year-old kid on the playgrounds of Brooklyn and merely dreaming of playing in the NBA. Here was Lance Stephenson, screaming at the top of his lungs and pointing at the fans who were screaming at the top of their lungs as the final seconds wound down on his Broadway-worthy performance. “This is the best game of my life,” he said in an interview before leaving the court. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

One couple will be dressed to the nines at their prom Saturday night, thanks to NBA basketball player Lance Stephenson. Indiana high school student Megan Conlin, the winner of Stephenson’s “Ultimate Prom Experience,” will receive a free prom dress, shoes, a hair and makeup appointment and costume jewelry. Her date will receive a free tuxedo. Together they will split a free limo and steakhouse dinner, according to the Metropolitan School District website. Huffington Post

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Chris Herring: IND's Lance Stephenson: "All my family and friends [from NY area] are going 4 the Knicks. Except for my mom and dad; they're going for me." Twitter @HerringWSJ

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Lance Stephenson 

Stephenson has been attacking the glass like he’s a big man the past three games. He’s grabbed at least 11 rebounds — 13, 11 and 12 — in the Pacer victories. Stephenson had 11 rebounds in a game only twice in his career before this stretch. “The kid is learning discipline,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We keep talking to him about not leaking out. He’s a weapon on the break, and that’s good. When he comes back and rebounds we’re pretty good, too.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Frank Vogel 

Scott Agness: Lance Stephenson on Instagram: “This treatment is killing me right now. I hate being hurt feel terrible. #prayforme” twitpic.com/clvus9 Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Injuries 

Indiana guard Lance Stephenson returned to the Pacers' playoff game to start the second half Wednesday night following a hard foul on an attempted layup. Stephenson was diagnosed with a bruised right hip and was listed as questionable to return but started the second half. NBA.com

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Injuries 

Scott Agness: Stephenson said his right hip is “horrible” but he’ll play through it. Hill (right elbow) said it’s nothing major and he’ll be fine. Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Injuries 

Lance Stephenson: I pray for all the people that was there in Boston Twitter @StephensonLance

Lance Stephenson, Boston 

Telfair, five years older than Stephenson, was already a legend in New York basketball circles. "[He] killed me," Stephenson says. "But that experience right there, scoring on him, I felt like I could be like him one day." In 2006, a Rucker Park announcer noticed Stephenson's penchant for thriving against older competition. He nicknamed him "Born Ready." "Whoever put somebody in front of me, I went after them," Stephenson says. "I felt like I was living up to the hype. I don't think it was bad hype." Grantland

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

"Lance Stephenson?" James asked incredulously. "You want a quote about Lance Stephenson? I'm not even going to give him the time." Old-school enforcement ensued. Veteran Juwan Howard aggressively approached Stephenson before the series' next game. Dexter Pittman, a reserve big man who played for Miami last season, clotheslined Stephenson during the waning moments of the fifth game. "I think you've got to stop and wonder at that point, Is it me or is it everybody else?" Burke says. Stephenson is right. Indiana did win the third game and assumed a 2-1 series lead. But then James turned in a 40-point, 18-rebound, nine-assist masterpiece in the next game. Miami won the final three games on its way to a championship, and Stephenson learned something about tugging the tiger's tail. "It gave LeBron a little trigger," Stephenson says. "It made him go harder the next game. He responded well after I did that. Coach got on me a little bit and I just calmed down." Grantland

Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Lance Stephenson, Juwan Howard, Dexter Pittman 

"You can't be too wild in this league because everybody's smart," Stephenson says. Assistant coach Brian Shaw kept telling Stephenson that players like Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady did not arrive in the NBA as All-Stars. "He always had the ball skills, the bravado," Shaw says. "That was a big part of his game, but like a lot of young players, you get in this league and you are playing against grown men. Now you're not the biggest, strongest guy anymore. Offensively, he needed to get confidence in his perimeter game, which he has now. But he had to learn how to guard scorers at his position. That was probably the weakest part of his game. At that position, you have to learn how to guard the best scorers night in and night out." Grantland

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson 

Alex Kennedy: One source said the Jazz and Pacers discussed deal that would've swapped Paul Millsap and Alec Burks for Danny Granger and Lance Stephenson. Twitter @AlexKennedyNBA

Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Trade, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson, Paul Millsap, Alec Burks 

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson couldn’t believe what he was hearing on the other end of the phone. Stephenson was upset when coach Frank Vogel called to tell him that the NBA had fined him $35,000 for his part in the skirmish against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. But then Stephenson’s phone rang again and it was teammate Roy Hibbert calling to tell him not to worry about the fine because the center would pay it for him. The league suspended Hibbert a game for his part in the incident. “That means a lot. It means we’re together,” Stephenson said. “I was willing to help him, so he felt like he wanted to help me. I really appreciate it.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson 

“I didn’t know about it until I read the paper and then I thought, ‘Wow,’ ” Pacers President Donnie Walsh said. “I haven’t seen too many teams do that, even good teams. That was a great gesture.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson 

“So I’m about to have a mid-life crisis,” Granger says. George laughs at him. “So I’m 30, you know, I have no problem – I’ve been in the league eight years – I have no problem passing the mantle to him, to leave the team to Roy and George.” Granger looks at George, right in the eye. “Those guys really, even David, those are the nucleus of this team. I’m getting older now, and the fact that we drafted Roy, then we drafted PG, I was drafted here, Lance Stephenson was drafted here, Tyler was drafted here. My whole team I watched get drafted. I’ve watched all of them grow. So I have no problem passing the mantle. At all.” FOXSports.com

Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson 

Mike Wells: Hibbert told The Indy Star that he's going to pay Lance Stephenson's $35K fine for being a good teammate and having his back. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson 

Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and Pacers swingman Lance Stephenson were fined $35,000 for "escalating the altercation." Indiana forward David West, also involved and received a technical, went unpenalized. San Jose Mercury-News

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, Stephen Curry, David West, Klay Thompson 

However, George Hill scored 19 points, D.J. Augustin had a season high-tying 18 and Indiana rallied to beat the Bobcats 96-88 Saturday night for its fourth straight win. Lance Stephenson added 17 points and David West had 14 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists for his first triple-double. "That was a really good win," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "A lot of guys stepped up, in particular David West with a triple-double." Charlotte Observer

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson, George Hill, David West, Frank Vogel 

For basically two full seasons Stephenson didn’t play at all, with higher-ups in the organization saying things like, “We believe in Lance and his talent, and we hope that someday he’s able to put it all together.” Those kinds of comments explained why the team took a shot on Stephenson as a highly-touted second rounder with loads of talent but a questionable history, but the risk has really started to pay off. Stephenson has finally been able to put it all together. “I’ve matured all-around with everything—off the court and on the court with my teammates,” Stephenson said. “It was a lot of help from the veterans, who put me in my place and showed me how to be a vet, a good person, a good teammate on and off the court. I’m not saying that I’m so much better right now; I am still working on being more mature.” HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Lance Stephenson