The Minnesota Timberwolves put an end to a two-decade drought as they secured their first play-off series win in 20 years. Their impressive 4-0 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference first-round clash was fueled by an outstanding performance from Anthony Edwards, who tallied 40 points, including 31 in the second half, and contributed nine rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns also played a pivotal role, chipping in 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels added 18 points to the winning effort.
Notably, the Timberwolves managed to clinch the victory despite the remarkable efforts of Suns’ duo Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, with Booker notching a career-high of 49 points and Durant adding 33. The win sets the stage for an intriguing Western Conference semi-finals matchup for Minnesota, as they await to face either the Denver Nuggets or the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s important to highlight that the game took an unexpected turn as Timberwolves’ coach Chris Finch had to be assisted off the court for treatment after a collision with his own player, Mike Conley, just one minute and 41 seconds before the final buzzer. This victory marks a significant milestone for the team and has undoubtedly sparked excitement and anticipation among their fans.
In other NBA playoff action, the Indiana Pacers secured a convincing 126-113 win over the understrength Milwaukee Bucks, extending their lead to 3-1 in the Eastern Conference first-round match-up. Despite the absence of key players Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the early ejection of Bobby Portis, Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton delivered standout performances for the Pacers.
The Los Angeles Clippers also captured a thrilling 116-111 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, levelling the series at 2-2 in a Western Conference showdown. The Clippers, led by standout displays from James Harden and Paul George who each scored 33 points, managed to withstand a remarkable comeback attempt by the Mavericks, who were propelled by Kyrie Irving’s 40-point contribution. Luka Doncic put up an impressive triple-double performance with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, though it wasn’t enough to secure a win for the Mavericks.
The unpredictability and intensity of the NBA playoffs also unfolded in the match between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, with the Knicks claiming a hard-fought 97-92 victory to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference. Jalen Brunson delivered a standout performance for the Knicks, recording 47 points and 10 assists, a feat that made him the first player in franchise history to achieve at least 30 points and 10 assists in consecutive playoff games.
The NBA playoff action continues to deliver captivating moments and compelling narratives, captivating basketball fans around the world.
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