The Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.74 million viewers.

That number is down 18% in ratings from last year's Lakers-Nuggets series.

The Game 5 clincher averaged a 3.2 rating with 6.26 million viewers.

The Celtics-Pacers series averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.31 million viewers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves project to have one of the NBA's most expensive teams next season. The Wolves have nearly $191 million in guaranteed salary on their books for nine players. That figure is already over the projected second apron of $189.5 million, before the team finishes filling out the roster.

That sort of spending is unprecedented in Minnesota's history. However, as the team's ownership battle plays out, both sets of owners indicate they'll pay to keep the team together.

Glen Taylor, who retains majority ownership of the Wolves, and Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have each given the impression that they won't break the team up because of the tax. The challenge is that the second apron makes building out the rest of the roster a major challenge. That could eventually force the team's hand in making some changes to alleviate the high payroll.

Minnesota Timberwolves primary governor Glen Taylor plans to meet with president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to discuss Connelly's future with the team. Connelly can opt out of his contract in the coming days. The Wolves ownership battle could be a factor in Connelly's decision to stay or to pursue other opportunities.

The Detroit Pistons were rumored to be interested in hiring Connelly to run their front office, but have since hired Trajan Langdon. That came as a relief to Minnesota, as it removed a primary contender, should Connelly opt out of his deal.

Taylor remains in full control, as he still owns the majority stake of the Timberwolves. Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez contend that Taylor acted in bad faith, by backing out of an agreement to sell the team to them. That fight doesn't seem close to a resolution any time soon.

Host Danny Leroux talks with Jared Dubin of Last Night in Basketball about the playoffs and Fred Katz of The Athletic about the Knicks.

Dubin and Leroux discuss both Conference Finals series and other playoff takeaways. After that, the “Exit Interview” series continues as Katz joins to break down what happened to the Knicks’ season and where they go from here, including Jalen Brunson’s ascendance, their fascinating offseason and much more.

Subscribe to RealGM Radio on Apple Podcasts or via the RSS feed. 

Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged 7.02 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

That number is down 5% from the Lakers-Nuggets opener from last season.

The game, which peaked at 8.69 million viewers, is the second-largest audience of the playoffs.

Game 1 between the Pacers and Celtics averaged 6.48 million viewers.

Game 7 between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets averaged a 4.1 rating with 8.41 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

The numbers represent the largest audience ever for an early round playoff game in TNT history.

It is also the most-watched game of the NBA season.

The game peaked with 11.3 million viewers, making it the fourth most-watched early round playoff game since 2012.

Game 7 between the Knicks and Pacers earlier in the day averaged a 3.4 rating with 6.45 million viewers on ABC, down 11% from last year. 

Mike Conley is listed as questionable for Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks due to a right soleus strain.

Conley played 38 minutes in Game 7 against the Nuggets on Sunday.

The Minnesota Timberwolves wore their white throwbacks for both Game 6 and Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets and received a waiver from the NBA to do so.

The NBA typically wants teams to avoid wearing throwback jerseys during the playoffs.

The Wolves wore their current white uniforms during Games 1 through 5.

The Denver Nuggets were a popular pick to repeat as champion, but they were ultimately eliminated in the second round by a Minnesota Timberwolves team with the requisite size and defense to slow down three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

While Anthony Edwards Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid were in place before the arrival of Tim Connelly, the former Nuggets' executive traded for both Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley with the roster being particularly well suited to play against Denver.

"I mean, I think they're built to beat us," Jokic said. "Just look at their roster. They have basically two All-Stars, two probably first-team defensive players. Mike Conley is the most underrated player in the NBA, probably.

"From the bench, they have a Sixth Man of the Year. ... [They are] one team that they can do literally everything. They can be big, small."

Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged a 2.8 rating with 5.61 million viewers on TNT.

The number is up 19% in viewership from last year, making it the most-watched series in the second round.

Game 3 of the series averaged 5.21 million viewers.

Game 4 of the Pacers-Knicks series averaged 5.03 million viewers on ABC, down 1% in viewership from last year.