There was some healthy skepticism that ESPN would change Inside the NBA once it began licensing it from TNT Sports. But as the iconic studio show has hit its playoff stride, all signs point to the content remaining unchanged for Ernie Johnson,

After helping the Pacers advance to the NBA Finals, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton join the set of Inside the NBA. Pacers owner Herb Simon and coach Rick Carlisle accept the Bob Cousy Trophy, awarded to the Eastern Conferene champions.

NBA playoff viewership is up 20% through the first week-and-a-half, while NHL playoffs viewing has leaped by 82% through the first nine days, with 1.1 million on ESPN and TNT Sports.

ESPN has generally been very careful to cover the saga involving NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. But TNT Sports’ Inside the NBA production crew wasn’t afraid to go there in its first season with the Worldwide Leader.

NBA playoff ratings reportedly hit a 33-year high, but misleading comparisons involving new Nielsen metrics and broadcast changes tell a different story.

Shaquille O’Neal will be absent from "Inside the NBA" on Friday for undisclosed reasons. Jalen Rose will temporarily fill in as guest analyst during O'Neal’s absence. Rose is a one-night substitute; O’Neal returns for the rest of the weekend broadcasts.