Category: NBA (Basketball)

During the late fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night, Minnesota coach Chris Finch collided with Timberwolves guard Mike Conley and had to be helped off the court.

Conley was dribbling down the sideline when he accidentally bumped into Suns star Devin Booker and collided with Finch. Finch seemed to hurt his right knee as Conley tried to soften their fall. He winced in pain and immediately grabbed his right knee.

After being down for a few minutes, surrounded by Minnesota players, coaches, and staff, Finch slowly got up with assistance and left the court.

Despite the incident, Minnesota won the game 122-116, completing a sweep of the first-round series.

Assistant coach Micah Nori took over for the final 1:41 of the game. Nori mentioned that Finch was being checked out in the medical room and that the team visited him after the game.

“He’s obviously in good spirits and so are the guys,” Nori added.

Conley admitted he didn’t see Finch until the last moment and tried to support him after the collision. The veteran guard couldn’t resist cracking a joke or two about the coach after their victory.

“I told him to sit his (butt) down — he shouldn’t be standing up like that late in the game,” Conley joked. “He’s in the way. But prayers up for him, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Anthony Edwards, a standout player for Minnesota, noticed a change in the Phoenix Suns’ defense early in the third quarter. They started guarding him one-on-one instead of using double teams like before. Taking it as a challenge, Edwards stepped up his game.

He scored 31 of his 40 points in the second half, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 points. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 122-116, securing a sweep in the first-round playoff series. This victory marks the franchise’s first playoff series win in 20 years.

Edwards showcased his talent, making 13 of 23 field goals, including 7 of 13 from beyond the arc. A powerful dunk by the 22-year-old gave Minnesota a crucial lead late in the game.

Despite Devin Booker’s impressive 49 points for the Suns, the rest of the team struggled.

The Wolves prevailed even after coach Chris Finch left the game due to a collision with Wolves guard Mike Conley. Assistant coach Micah Nori took over, and the team closed out the game smoothly.

Jaden McDaniels contributed 18 points, and the Wolves dominated the rebounding battle with a 44-33 advantage.

In a tight fourth quarter, the Suns tied the game, but the Wolves responded with key plays, including back-to-back corner 3s from Edwards and McDaniels.

Now, the Timberwolves await their opponent for the second round, either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers. Suns coach Frank Vogel praised the Timberwolves’ performance, highlighting Edwards’ exceptional talent and the strong play from their big men.

Jamal Murray, the Denver Nuggets’ point guard, might not be able to play in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers due to a left calf strain. He was dealing with this injury during their recent loss to the Lakers, where Denver’s winning streak against them ended.

Despite continuing to play, Murray’s status for the upcoming game remains uncertain as he’s listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.

Throughout the playoffs, Murray has struggled with his shooting, even though he made a winning buzzer-beater in Game 2. His shooting percentages have dropped significantly compared to his career-best performance in the regular season.

Murray had already missed several games this season due to various injuries, including hamstring, knee, ankle, and shin problems.

On the other hand, the Lakers might see some improvement in their bench as forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who has been out with a right midfoot sprain for over two months, is listed as questionable.

The Denver Nuggets, currently the No. 2 seed in the West, need one more win to advance to the second round against the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves recently made history with their first series win in two decades.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are aiming to become the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 deficit and win a best-of-7 playoff series.

In a heated matchup between the Clippers and the Mavericks, tensions flared as Russell Westbrook found himself at the center of controversy. Westbrook’s frustration peaked after a series of contentious plays, including a Flagrant 1 foul and a collision with Luka Doncic, ultimately leading to his ejection from the game. The scuffle also resulted in a technical foul for the Mavericks’ P.J. Washington, who was subsequently ejected due to prior infractions.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the need for better control over emotions, emphasizing the importance of channeling aggression constructively. Despite appreciating the physicality of the game, Lue stressed the detrimental impact of technical fouls and ejections on team dynamics and performance.

Russell Westbrook gets ejected for picking up two technical fouls and first for wrapping up Luka Doncic, then for pushing PJ Washington.

Thoughts? 🤔pic.twitter.com/Ui4jsX5CoK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 27, 2024

The Mavericks capitalized on the chaos, securing a 101-90 victory fueled by a stellar performance from Luka Doncic, who nearly notched a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. This win propelled Dallas to a 2-1 lead in the first-round series, highlighting their defensive prowess in limiting the Clippers to 90 points for the second consecutive game.

While James Harden contributed 21 points for the Clippers, stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard struggled to find their rhythm. George faced foul trouble, shooting just 3-of-11 from the field, while Leonard, in his second game back from injury, grappled with ongoing knee issues that hampered his performance.

Looking ahead to Game 4, scheduled for Sunday in Dallas, the pressure mounts for the Clippers to bounce back and even the series. With Leonard’s health uncertain and the Mavericks showcasing formidable defensive capabilities, the upcoming game becomes a pivotal moment for the Clippers’ postseason aspirations.

Franz Wagner took charge in the third quarter, leading the Magic to a dominant victory over the Cavaliers. With 34 points and 13 rebounds, Wagner played a key role as the Magic held the Cavaliers scoreless for almost seven minutes in the second half.

The game, once competitive, turned into a rout as the Magic outscored the Cavaliers 37-10 in the third quarter, tying the series at 2-2.

After a strong first half where Cleveland scored 60 points, they struggled in the second half, managing only 29 points. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley admitted it was one of the most dominant defensive quarters he had seen.

Wagner’s performance, especially in the third quarter, shifted the momentum in favor of the Magic, and they never looked back. The series now moves to Cleveland for Game 4, with both teams eager to gain the upper hand.

“They defended their home court just like we did,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Now we have a chance to go home and play two games in Cleveland, making it a best-of-three series.

We have some areas where we can make changes and adjustments, but I trust that our guys will be prepared for Tuesday night.”

Isaac (14 points, seven rebounds, two blocks) and Markelle Fultz (12 points, four rebounds) provided significant contributions off the bench for the Magic. Paolo Banchero, who scored 35 points in Orlando’s Game 3 win, finished with nine points and five assists in his first game scoring in single digits since Nov. 29.

Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Donovan Mitchell scored all his 18 points in the first half.

“Scoring only ten points in a quarter is unacceptable,” Mitchell said. “We need to improve, and I need to improve. I’m disappointed in myself. You can’t score 18 points in the first half and then none in the second, with only four shots.”

The Magic have won six consecutive games at home but lost their last six on the road.

“We’re not content at all,” Wagner said. “We’ve only won two games. We need two more wins against them, so we need to stay focused and try to win the next one in Cleveland.”

Wagner began the second half by scoring points off a Cleveland mistake, making a layup and a jump shot from the free throw line. He then made a 3-pointer and got a three-point play, leading Orlando to a 17-6 run in five minutes and giving them a 68-67 lead.

“He’s really impressive,” said Wagner’s brother Mo, who scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds. “He understands the game so well and has great control. He started by passing the ball and then found his rhythm.

“I’m going to ride home with him, so I want to keep things in perspective. I don’t want to exaggerate, but that was one of his best performances.”

The Magic ended the quarter with 14 unanswered points, and three consecutive baskets from Franz Wagner extended their lead to 24 points early in the fourth quarter.

The Cavaliers last scored with a 3-pointer from Max Strus with 5:26 left in the third quarter. They didn’t score again until Caris LeVert made a jumper with 10:40 left in the fourth.

“They protected their home court, and now we have to do the same. It’s that simple,” said Mitchell, whose strong end to the first half gave the Cavaliers a 60-51 lead.

The game saw a few minor altercations, including a face-to-face confrontation between Jalen Suggs and Darius Garland, and a flagrant foul on Strus in the fourth quarter for impeding Cole Anthony’s dunk attempt.

The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks are facing health concerns as they trailed 2-1 in their playoff series going into Game 4s on Sunday.

Joel Embiid scored 50 points in the 76ers’ first win against the New York Knicks in Game 3, but he played with a brace on his left knee and revealed he’s dealing with lingering symptoms of Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis.

Kawhi Leonard admitted his right knee didn’t respond well after Game 2, his first game in over three weeks, in the Clippers’ loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Bucks are waiting for Giannis Antetokounmpo to debut in their series against the Indiana Pacers, while Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles tendon injury in a Game 3 loss to the Pacers.

Lillard, who was seen limping at times, underwent an MRI on his Achilles, while Antetokounmpo’s clearance to play is uncertain after a pregame workout.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed concern for Lillard and doubted Antetokounmpo’s clearance, praising his team’s resilience amid injuries.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams found himself on the floor after a tough hit to the eye at the beginning of a crucial playoff match.

But by the third quarter, Williams was making shots, including two 3-pointers, in a 9-0 run that put pressure on the New Orleans Pelicans.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 24 points, while Williams and Josh Giddey contributed 21 each as the Thunder secured a 106-85 victory over the Pelicans on Saturday, grabbing a 3-0 lead in the playoff series.

“Dub’s really talented,” Gilgeous-Alexander commented on Williams, who has been averaging around 20 points per game in the series, scoring 13 of his Game 3 points in the second half. “He had a big game tonight, very impressive, and it’s nothing new for us.”

Initially facing doubts about their young and inexperienced roster, the top-seeded Thunder narrowly won Game 1 against the eighth-seeded Pelicans.

However, since then, they have dominated, winning Game 2 by 32 points and Game 3 by 21 points, largely due to their strong defensive play, limiting the Pelicans to 92 points or fewer in all three games of the series.

“We were prepared to compete,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault remarked. “Our focus on defense and physical play set a strong tone for the game.”

Oklahoma City made 47.2% of their 3-point shots and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half, extending it to as much as 24 points in the fourth quarter. Thunder supporters cheered loudly with chants of “OKC! OKC!” as Pelicans fans exited.

“We adapted well to the game’s rhythm. We found good scoring opportunities,” Giddey noted. “Despite the different defensive strategies thrown at us, we have multiple offensive options on the court. So, players made smart decisions and shared the ball.”

The Pelicans, missing star forward Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury, will aim to avoid elimination in Game 4 at home on Monday.

“It’s not the end,” Pelicans coach Willie Green emphasized to the team. “We have another chance to win at home. We won’t resolve all our issues tonight. Let’s regroup, practice tomorrow, address our areas of improvement, and prepare for the next game.”

It’s a tough task ahead. No NBA team has ever bounced back from a 3-0 series deficit. “You have to keep playing hard, no matter the score,” Giddey emphasized. “Both teams are fully focused on the task at hand.”

Brandon Ingram scored 19 points and CJ McCollum added 16 for the Pelicans, who struggled with their outside shooting and turnovers.

Despite their efforts, the Pelicans only slightly improved their 3-point shooting compared to the previous games, making just 28.1% of their attempts. They also committed 21 turnovers, leading to 23 points for the Thunder.

The game didn’t start well for the Thunder as Williams took a hit to the face from Ingram while attempting a shot. He left the court, but later returned in the first quarter.

The game remained close until the Thunder went on a 14-0 scoring spree in the second quarter, giving them a comfortable 54-39 lead.

“I think our turnovers hurt us,” mentioned Pelicans player Trey Murphy III, who contributed 10 points. “And then, they were just passing the ball well, and we had some defensive lapses. They were making their shots and taking advantage of our mistakes.”

When McCollum made a 3-pointer to reduce the Pelicans’ shortfall to 12 points, they had an opportunity to narrow the gap further in the closing moments of the first half. However, Gilgeous-Alexander stole the ball from McCollum and drew a foul.

Gilgeous-Alexander made both free throws, extending the Thunder’s lead to 60-46 heading into halftime.

For two days, the Boston Celtics felt bad about losing on their court. But when they finally played again, they channeled all that frustration into their game. The outcome: a stellar defensive performance.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 22 points to lead a well-rounded effort, and the Celtics convincingly defeated the Miami Heat 104-84 on Saturday night to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

“We didn’t change too much,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We just played with more intensity, controlled the physicality, and set the pace of the game. It’s the simple thing you have to do when facing pressure and adversity. Our guys did a great job with that tonight.”

Game 4 is Monday in Miami, where the Celtics have a strong record of 9-2 in their last 11 games and 6-1 in their last seven playoff games.

Tatum also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out six assists for the Celtics, who led Game 3 from start to finish and regained the home-court advantage they lost when Miami won Game 2 in Boston. Kristaps Porzingis contributed 18 points, and Derrick White added 16 for the Celtics.

The last time either team had these kinds of stats — Boston’s strong defense and Miami’s weak offense — was in Game 5 of the East finals on May 25, 2022. That game ended with a 93-80 victory for the Celtics on the road, helping them reach the NBA Finals that season.

Since then, the Heat has scored more than 84 points in every game, and the Celtics have allowed more than 84 points in every game. “That’s where we’re going to win games, on the defensive end,” Tatum said.

Bam Adebayo scored 20 points for the eighth-seeded Miami team, which is missing starters Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier due to injuries. Nikola Jokić and Tyler Herro each scored 15 for the Heat, with Jaime Jaquez Jr. adding 12.

“They took us out of stuff we would like to get to,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They were the more physical team. They bodied us, bullied us on screens, got through stuff, distorted screens, everything. … You have to credit them for that. They were the more physical team, the team with more physicality and force on both ends of the court.”

The Celtics have shown a trend of bouncing back this season. As the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs, they don’t lose often, and when they do, they usually win their next game. Boston now has a 15-4 record in the game right after a loss this season, winning those games by an average margin of 12.2 points.

“Just mindset,” Brown said. “We emphasized defense, trying to make them uncomfortable a little bit … and I think that opened up the game.”

Franz Wagner shone with 34 points and 13 rebounds, leading the Orlando Magic to a 112-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Magic’s defense shut down the Cavaliers for nearly seven minutes in the second half. This victory tied the Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2.

Wagner’s impressive performance included scoring 10 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter. This surge matched Cleveland’s total points for the entire period. The Magic dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Cavaliers 37-10.

This turnaround flipped what was a nine-point halftime deficit into another convincing win for Orlando.

Jonathan Isaac contributed 14 points, hitting Orlando’s only two 3-pointers of the first half. Markelle Fultz added 12 points and four rebounds coming off the bench. Paolo Banchero, who had a standout game in Game 3 with 35 points, finished with nine points and five assists in this game.

For the Cavaliers, Jarrett Allen led with 21 points and nine rebounds. Donovan Mitchell scored 18 points, all in the first half, and dished out six assists.

The Los Angeles Lakers managed to break the Denver Nuggets’ dominance over their matchups, keeping their playoff hopes alive for at least another game.

As expected, LeBron James led the charge, contributing 30 points, while Anthony Davis added 25 points and an impressive 23 rebounds. With their efforts, the Lakers secured a crucial 119-108 victory over Denver in Game 4 of their first-round series on Saturday night.

D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves also made significant contributions, each scoring 21 points, as the seventh-seeded Lakers ended their 11-game losing streak against the reigning NBA champions, securing their first win over the Nuggets since December 2022.

In a series marked by predictable patterns, this game saw a shift in momentum in favor of the Lakers. Despite the Nuggets rallying behind Nikola Jokic in the second half, the Lakers remained resilient, unlike in previous matchups.

LeBron James, displaying his enduring talent, scored 14 points in the fourth quarter alone, leading the Lakers to victory in his remarkable 21st NBA season. The series now moves to Game 5 on Monday night in Denver.

“We’ve given ourselves another chance, and now it’s all about Monday’s game,” James commented. “That’s the most crucial game of our season, and we’re fully aware of that.”

Last season, Denver swept Los Angeles out of the Western Conference finals. However, the current Lakers, despite trailing 0-3 in the series, showed a performance more reminiscent of a team that entered the playoffs with 12 wins in 15 games.

“We have another game to play, and if we win, we get to play more,” Reaves added. “The odds might not be in our favor, but whenever we can stay afloat and give ourselves a chance to achieve something remarkable, we’re ready for the challenge.”

Jokic recorded 33 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, marking his 18th career triple-double and his second in this series. However, despite his efforts, the two-time MVP and his teammates couldn’t regain their usual late-game control over the Lakers.

Although the Lakers’ 19-point lead decreased to 113-106 with just over six minutes remaining, thanks to Jokic’s three-point play, Reaves’ crucial jumper and free throws in the final minute secured the win for Los Angeles.

Denver struggled with another slow offensive start, a recurring theme throughout the series.

“We want to start faster, but I’ve learned from horse racing that it’s not just about the start, it’s about how you finish,” Jokic mentioned. “Unfortunately, we didn’t finish well today, so hopefully, we can improve. We aim to take control early on, but it didn’t happen for us this time.”

Michael Porter Jr. contributed 27 points and 11 rebounds for Denver, while Jamal Murray scored 22 points, albeit missing all four of his 3-point attempts.

Aaron Gordon, who scored 29 points in Game 3, managed only seven points in this game. Coach Michael Malone emphasized that the team’s defense in the paint was lacking, as they allowed a staggering 72 points inside.

Malone expressed his frustration, stating, “Every huddle was about defending the paint. In Game 3, they scored 70 points inside, and we still won.

But tonight, allowing 72 points is unacceptable. We lacked the necessary physicality and urgency. It didn’t feel like a game where we could close out the series.”

Although the Nuggets previously lost a closeout game while leading 3-0 in last season’s first round, they eventually won that series and went on to claim their first title.

While Jokic and James made significant contributions, Davis continued his impressive performance for the fourth consecutive game. His 23 rebounds matched his career playoff high, and he led the Lakers in assists alongside six assists.

“It’s tough to face a sweep,” Davis admitted. “Nobody wants to experience that, especially heading into the summer. You have to live with that feeling throughout the break. We didn’t discuss it much, but we understand the importance of winning tonight’s game. We need to maintain this level of play for the rest of the series.”

The Lakers didn’t give up despite their tough situation in Game 4. They focused on scoring inside, getting 44 points in the paint during the first half and taking their fourth halftime lead in the series.

They extended their lead to 15 points in the third quarter and kept adding to it until the final minutes. Jokic and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope helped the Nuggets mount a comeback.

“They were playing fast and getting easy layups,” Jokic observed. “They were dominating us in the paint. We struggled to make shots, and that affected our defense. They’re a strong team.”

Reggie Jackson played nine minutes for Denver despite spraining his ankle in Game 3.

Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy-winning former USC quarterback and No. 1 overall pick in this weekend’s NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, watched the game from courtside.

In college, they were fierce rivals, each representing their respective teams with intense rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan.

But fate intervened during a critical moment in another Ohio State-Michigan game last November, bringing Michael Hall Jr. and Zak Zinter together once again.

Formerly enemies on the field, they are now teammates for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.

This NFL draft for Cleveland is imp. for two main reasons: It’s the final draft influenced by the Deshaun Watson trade in 2022, and the Browns selected Hall and Zinter with their top two picks, whose paths crossed on November 25th.

During the game, Zinter suffered a broken left leg when Hall accidentally fell onto him while blocking another Ohio State player. Now, they find themselves united in Cleveland, representing both Ohio State and Michigan.

As they walk on their NFL journey together, Zinter, who recovered from his injury, reflects on the play that ended his college career but led to a new chapter in his football career.

When the incident occurred, there were many uncertainties. For Zinter, everything changed in that moment on the field.

“When the doctors came out, my leg was kind of sideways, so they straightened it out and I could feel all the bones in there crinkling and touching,” he said calmly. “It wasn’t the best experience, but we got through it.”

Hall remembers the play vividly.

“We even prayed for him after when that happened,” said Hall, who grew up in Cleveland and always wanted to play for the Browns. “It was just really sad to see that. He’s a great player and now he’s my teammate. My brother.”

Zinter never blamed Hall for his injury, realizing it could have happened at any time during any game.

Any animosity between Hall and Zinter is now in the past, and seeing the new rookies sitting together on stage was surprising considering their intense rivalry in college.

They were all smiles as their families watched them take the next step in their professional careers. But that’s not to say there won’t be some tough practices ahead.

“Did you guys challenge them to a steel cage death match?” Saganey joked. “Both those guys are super competitive players and played some pretty good football at a high level. So that’ll be fun to watch that battle.”

As the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves facing a 2-1 deficit against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs, injuries have become a significant concern for the team. With two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo already sidelined due to a calf strain, the Bucks faced further setbacks during Game 3.

Khris Middleton, listed as questionable before the game, delivered an impressive performance with 42 points in 41 minutes. However, near the end of the fourth quarter, Damian Lillard aggravated an Achilles injury, hampering his effectiveness, especially during overtime.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers expressed the team’s frustration, acknowledging the challenges posed by the growing list of injuries. Lillard, despite his discomfort, remained on the court to support Middleton, serving as a decoy for crucial plays down the stretch.

While Lillard managed to contribute 28 points, he struggled to find his usual rhythm, shooting just 6-of-20 from the field. Concerns about his Achilles injury surfaced after the game, prompting him to prioritize recovery ahead of Game 4.

Reflecting on the situation, Lillard emphasized the importance of proactive treatment to address his injury concerns effectively. With a couple of days before the next game, Lillard aimed to optimize his recovery process and return to full strength for the upcoming matchup.

Game 4 presents a critical opportunity for the Bucks to even the series, but they must find their way through their injury woes carefully. Middleton’s resilience and Lillard’s determination underscored the team’s resolve to overcome adversity and compete at the highest level.

Despite trailing in the series, the Bucks remained cautious about rushing Antetokounmpo back from injury. Coach Rivers reiterated the team’s commitment to prioritizing player health and safety, emphasizing the importance of a measured approach to recovery.