Timberwolves Eliminate Nuggets, Knicks Demolish Hawks in NBA Playoffs
Al Jazeera Staff
The Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the Nuggets, while the Knicks recorded the biggest playoff win in franchise history. The 76ers forced a Game 7 against the Celtics.
The night of April 30 (U.S. time) saw dramatic action in the NBA playoffs. The sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves completed a stunning upset by defeating the third-seeded Denver Nuggets 110-98, winning the first-round series 4-2.
Despite missing star Anthony Edwards (knee injury), the Timberwolves fought tenaciously. Jaden McDaniels scored a game-high 32 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the final minute that gave his team a five-point lead. He capped the performance by sinking two free throws.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic led Denver with 28 points but couldn't save his team. He was ejected in Game 4 for unsportsmanlike conduct and was involved in a scuffle with Minnesota's Jaylen Clark.
"This is a great night. We hope there are 12 more wins ahead," said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. "We came into the playoffs not just to beat Denver, but to win the championship." Jokic admitted: "I need to play better, I have to play better."
The Timberwolves will face the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals. Edwards could return after suffering a bone bruise and sprained ligament in his left knee.
Knicks Demolish Hawks
The New York Knicks clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 140-89 victory over the Atlanta Hawks—the largest margin of victory and highest point total in franchise playoff history. They won the series 4-2.
The Knicks led by as many as 61 points before resting their starters in the final quarter. The 47-point differential (83-36) at halftime was the largest in NBA playoff history. OG Anunoby scored 29 points, 26 in the first half, and no starter played more than 29 minutes.
"We didn't just meet the moment, we had to rise above it," said Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded a triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists). Hawks coach Quin Snyder expressed disappointment: "I hate losing anything, especially this way in front of our home crowd."
Sixers Force Game 7 Against Celtics
The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics 106-93 at home, tying the series at 3-3 after trailing 1-3. Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points, Paul George added 23, and Joel Embiid contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
This is the 23rd playoff meeting between the two teams—an NBA record. The decisive game will be played in Massachusetts.
