The 2024-25 NBA playoffs have begun, and our NBA experts are providing coverage for every game on the road to the Finals.
Throughout the season, the Western Conference standings were constantly changing, and Saturday`s games offered a preview of what to expect in the first-round matchups. The Denver Nuggets, seeded No. 4, secured an overtime victory against the No. 5 seed LA Clippers in Game 1, highlighted by Russell Westbrook`s clutch plays in the final moments. In the later game, the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves surprised the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers, with Anthony Edwards outperforming LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Sunday`s schedule includes MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder hosting Ja Morant and the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies. Following that, the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets, a team that has significantly improved this season, will commence their series against Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors.
Here are the main observations from Saturday`s games as we prepare you for Sunday`s matchups.
Series to Watch:
Thunder-Grizzlies | Rockets-Warriors
Lakers-Timberwolves | Nuggets-Clippers
More Coverage:
East first-round takeaways
Schedules and results | Offseason guides
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(Timberwolves lead series, 1-0)
Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
Key Points:
The Lakers organization built anticipation for Game 1 with a hype video featuring their postseason slogan `Unleash Joy,` aiming to launch their `2025 Playoff Run.` The high expectations for a deep playoff run were understandable given the team`s strong performance after acquiring Luka Doncic and securing the No. 3 seed in the West.
Early in Saturday`s game, with Doncic outscoring Minnesota 14-12 and L.A. taking a 20-12 lead, the Lakers seemed to be on track. However, the Timberwolves, who had lost to Doncic in the previous conference finals, had other plans.
`We are aware that we are not the popular pick,` Minnesota coach Chris Finch stated before the game. `I believe our players are embracing that role.`
After Doncic`s initial surge, the Timberwolves took control in the second and third quarters, leading by as much as 27 points. They dominated the boards (44-38) and stretched the Lakers` defense with excellent ball movement to find open shooters, setting a franchise postseason record with 21 three-pointers made out of 42 attempts. While the pre-series focus was on Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves for the Lakers, and Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for the Timberwolves, Minnesota`s Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid combined for 48 points on 19-of-25 shooting. Their performance surpassed that of L.A.`s role players, putting the Timberwolves in control of the series.
Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers (Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Players to Watch:
Lakers starting center Jaxson Hayes only played eight minutes, as coach JJ Redick opted for Jarred Vanderbilt at center. Redick used Vanderbilt`s energy, and his attempts to get under the skin of the Timberwolves players, to reduce the large deficit, bringing the Lakers within 12 points. Redick must decide whether to give Hayes another chance, considering the starting lineup`s 10-3 regular-season record, or to start Game 2 with a smaller lineup, accepting the size disadvantage.
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers
(Nuggets lead series, 1-0)
Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
Key Points:
Denver demonstrated resilience. Nikola Jokic was hit in the face by Derrick Jones Jr.`s arm, received a technical foul for protesting the no-call, but still led the Nuggets` comeback from a 15-point deficit to win in overtime. Russell Westbrook was dominant on the boards, securing crucial offensive rebounds and putbacks, and even hitting a vital 3-pointer late in the game. It was his first go-ahead 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime in his playoff career. Jamal Murray overcame a slow start to score two critical 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and Aaron Gordon scored six of Denver`s 14 overtime points to secure the victory.
The Clippers might regret James Harden`s foul trouble for much of the game. While he played brilliantly when on the court, the Nuggets` grit allowed them to overcome this, and they may have regained their championship confidence after a shaky final week of the regular season.
Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Players to Watch:
Both teams appeared fatigued by the end of this physical game and have only one day to recover before Game 2 on Monday. The Clippers likely would have won comfortably if they had taken better care of the ball, giving up 29 points off 20 turnovers. On Denver`s side, Michael Porter Jr. needs to contribute more for the Nuggets to succeed in this series. He scored Denver`s first points but was ineffective for the rest of the game, finishing with only three points in 26 minutes.
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
Game 1: Grizzlies at Thunder (Sunday, April 20, 1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Thunder Key Point:
Considering this team was close to a 70-win season and had the best point differential in NBA history, their best-case scenario is an easy championship victory. Dominance similar to the 2016-17 Warriors or last year`s Celtics is possible for Oklahoma City, although they are likely to face tougher playoff competition than the Celtics did last year.
Grizzlies Key Point:
Around March, Memphis began to decline, losing their first three games of the month and eventually losing 10 of 16 games. This led to the firing of Taylor Jenkins on March 28, and the promotion of Tuomas Iisalo to interim head coach. The aim was to optimize Ja Morant`s playmaking. Memphis lost their first three games under Iisalo, but the team seems to be adapting.
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
Game 1: Warriors at Rockets (Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Rockets Key Point:
When games become slower and every possession is crucial, can Houston consistently generate enough half-court offense to overcome a seasoned Warriors team in a seven-game series? Coach Ime Udoka has been considering this as the regular season ended, focusing on their physicality while improving offensive issues. Udoka previously faced Golden State in the 2022 NBA Finals as Boston`s coach, where Stephen Curry averaged 31.2 points against his Celtics. Houston might have the ideal Curry defender in Amen Thompson, who effectively guarded Curry when they played on April 6, limiting him to 1-for-10 shooting. Can Thompson handle this crucial role in his first playoff series?
Warriors Key Point:
The Warriors must find ways to free Curry from Houston’s physical defenders like Thompson and Dillon Brooks. Jimmy Butler III will be crucial in supporting Curry`s scoring and leading the offense during non-Curry minutes. Draymond Green will need to contain Alperen Sengun inside, especially on rebounds, despite the height difference.
