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 shifting, and the games on Saturday gave a preview of what to expect in the dramatic first-round matchups. The Denver Nuggets, as the No. 4 seed, came back to win in overtime against the 5-seed LA Clippers in Game 1, thanks to clutch plays from Russell Westbrook 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 favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder hosting Ja Morant and the 8-seed Memphis Grizzlies. Following that, the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets, a team that has improved significantly this season, will start their series against Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, and the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors.
Here are the main points from Saturday`s games as we prepare you for Sunday`s matchups.
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(Timberwolves lead series, 1-0)
Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
Key takeaways from Game 1:
The Lakers organization prepared for Game 1 by releasing a hype video with their postseason slogan `Unleash Joy,` aiming to kick off their `2025 Playoff Run.` The high expectations for a deep playoff run were understandable, given the Lakers` strong performance after acquiring Luka Doncic and securing the No. 3 seed in the West.
The game started as planned, with Doncic scoring 14 points and leading L.A. to an early 20-12 lead in the first quarter. However, the Timberwolves, who had lost to Doncic in the previous conference finals, had other plans.
`We know we`re not the popular pick,` said Minnesota coach Chris Finch before the game. `I think our players have embraced that.`
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 effectively spread out the Lakers` defense by making extra passes to open shooters, hitting a franchise postseason record of 21-of-42 from 3-point range. While the series buildup focused on stars like Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Anthony Edwards, and Julius Randle, Minnesota`s Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid stole the show, combining for 48 points on 19-for-25 shooting, outperforming L.A.`s role players and giving the Timberwolves a series lead.
Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers (Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch in Game 2:
Lakers starting center Jaxson Hayes only played eight minutes. Coach JJ Redick opted for Jarred Vanderbilt at center, using his activity to try to reduce the significant deficit, getting as close as 12 points. Redick will need to decide whether to give Hayes another chance—the starting lineup had a 10-3 regular-season record—or 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 takeaways from Game 1:
Denver can withstand adversity. Nikola Jokic took a hit to the face from Derrick Jones Jr.`s elbow, received a technical foul for arguing the no-call, and still rallied the Nuggets from a 15-point deficit to win in overtime. Russell Westbrook was dominant on the boards with crucial offensive rebounds, putbacks, and a key 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 recovered from a poor first half to hit two critical 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and Aaron Gordon scored six of the Nuggets` 14 overtime points to secure the victory.
The Clippers might wonder what could have happened if James Harden hadn`t been in foul trouble for much of the game. While Harden played brilliantly, the Nuggets` resilience and rediscovered championship spirit, after a shaky final week of the regular season, proved decisive.
Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch in Game 2:
Both teams appeared exhausted 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 easily if they had taken better care of the ball, giving up 29 points off 20 turnovers. On Denver`s side, the Nuggets will need more contribution from Michael Porter Jr. to succeed in this series. He scored Denver`s first points but was not a significant factor afterward, finishing with just 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)
One thing to watch from the Thunder:
Considering this team nearly won 70 games and had the best point differential in NBA history, the best outcome is winning the championship decisively. The largest victory margins in recent times belong to the 2016-17 Warriors (16-1 in the playoffs) and last year`s Celtics (16-3). Similar dominance is possible for Oklahoma City, although they are likely to face tougher postseason competition than the Celtics did last year.
One thing to watch from the Grizzlies:
Around March, Memphis began to struggle, losing their first three games of the month and eventually 10 of 16 games. This led to the firing of Taylor Jenkins, the franchise`s winningest coach, on March 28, and the promotion of Tuomas Iisalo to interim head coach. The change aimed to optimize Ja Morant`s play, as he excels with the ball in his hands. 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)
One thing to watch from the Rockets:
When the game slows down and every possession becomes crucial, can Houston consistently produce 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 physical style while improving offensive execution. In Udoka`s previous playoff encounter with Golden State in the 2022 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry averaged 31.2 points against his Celtics. Fortunately for the Rockets, they might have the ideal defender for Curry in rising star Amen Thompson, who effectively guarded Curry when they played on April 6, holding him to 1-for-10 shooting. Can Thompson handle such a critical role in his first postseason series?
One thing to watch from the Warriors:
The Warriors need to find ways to free Curry from Houston`s physical defenders like Thompson and Dillon Brooks. This is where Jimmy Butler III becomes important. He needs to support Curry in scoring and carry the offense during non-Curry minutes. Additionally, Draymond Green, at 6-foot-6, will need to find a way to contain the 6-11 Alperen Sengun inside, especially on the boards, despite the height disadvantage.