NBA convention semifinals: Late surge provides Nuggets 1-0 lead over OKC

The moment spherical of the 2025 NBA playoffs is right here, and our NBA insiders have you ever coated for each and every sport of the Eastern and Western convention semifinals.

The No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers kicked off the East semis Sunday evening by way of taking home-court benefit clear of the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers with a 121-112 victory. The Cavs will attempt to leap again Tuesday in Game 2 (7 p.m. ET, TNT).

On Monday, the East’s third-seeded New York Knicks beat the 2-seed Boston Celtics in an time beyond regulation mystery in Game 1 at the back of Jalen Brunson‘s 29 issues. In Monday’s different Game 1, the 4-seed Denver Nuggets toppled the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder within the West after a fourth-quarter surge.

As groups proceed to chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy, here is what issues maximum in each meetings and what to look forward to in all 4 collection.

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Western Conference

Game 1: Nuggets 121, Thunder 119

What we discovered: The Nuggets haven’t any worry by any means of the West’s height seed. Denver stormed again from a 14-point deficit in the second one part to thieve Game 1 at the highway regardless of a six-day relaxation drawback. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic was once a dominant power, recording 42 issues, 22 rebounds and 6 assists to present the Nuggets hope. Oklahoma City’s offense dried up down the stretch, and 2 neglected unfastened throws from Chet Holmgren left the door cracked open. Aaron Gordon delivered any other sport winner for a Denver squad looking to win its moment NBA identify in 3 years. — Tim MacMahon

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Jokic will get and-1 to fall for Nuggets

Nikola Jokic grabs his personal rebound and will get the and-1 to fall for the Nuggets vs. the Thunder.

Game 2: Nuggets at Thunder (Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)

What to observe: Denver didn’t shoot the ball smartly or maintain it, as you would be expecting from a drained staff that simply wrapped up a grueling seven-game collection in opposition to the LA Clippers. The Nuggets shot simply 29% from at the back of the 3-point arc (9-for-31) on Monday and became the ball over 18 occasions, resulting in 23 OKC issues. And they nonetheless gained! Nikola Jokic was once sensible with 42 issues and 22 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon has a knack for drilling sport winners throughout those playoffs. If Denver can blank issues up and shoot nearer to its standard 37.6% from 3, Game 2 may glance very other. Of direction, OKC will make changes too. Don’t be expecting Alex Caruso to be the Thunder’s second-leading scorer very frequently or Jalen Williams (16 issues) and Chet Holmgren (12 issues) to be as quiet offensively as they had been in Game 1. — Ramona Shelburne

Eastern Conference

Game 1: Knicks 108, Celtics 105 (OT)

What we discovered: The Knicks, down 20 within the 0.33 quarter and with the tide of momentum reputedly going utterly in opposition to them, had been very a lot nonetheless alive. That’s as a result of they confirmed fantastic grit — and in addition for the reason that Celtics toyed with the lead a ways an excessive amount of in the second one part. The protecting champs took 20 pictures within the 0.33, with a whopping 19 coming from past the 3-point arc; the Celtics completed with an NBA-playoff-record 60 3-point makes an attempt.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown & Co. taking part in only from the arc hindered the Celtics, who had no means of having simple issues from the foul line. It additionally benefited the Knicks, who’d had a trio of starters — Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart — in foul bother. The sport went to time beyond regulation, however by way of then the momentum had shifted sufficient to present the Knicks a shot that they most probably by no means must have had in accordance with how a lot Boston was once main by way of within the 0.33.

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Brunson ratings 29 because the Knicks conquer the Celtics in time beyond regulation

Jalen Brunson tallies 29 issues to assist the Knicks conquer a 20-point deficit and defeat the Celtics in time beyond regulation.

Game 2: Knicks at Celtics (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)

What to observe: What does the shot vitamin seem like for Tatum and Brown, who relied a ways too closely at the 3 on Monday evening, once they hit simply 5 of 25 treys blended. Will Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis be again for Game 2? He performed simply 13 mins in Game 1 and did not see any motion in the second one part because of sickness. This come-from-behind win for New York must give the Knicks self assurance, as they now know they may be able to definitively beat the Celtics after having long past winless in opposition to Boston throughout the common season. — Chris Herring

Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112

What we discovered: Indiana threw the primary punch and stole home-court benefit within the collection after outscoring Cleveland 29-22 within the fourth quarter. The Pacers entered because the underdogs on this collection in opposition to the top-seeded Cavs, nevertheless it was once Indiana that raced out to a first-quarter benefit and dictated the float of the sport whilst handing Cleveland its first lack of the playoffs.

The Pacers made 19 3-pointers, the second one maximum in a playoff sport in franchise historical past, they usually had six avid gamers end with double figures in scoring. Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton completed with 22 issues, 13 assists, 3 blocks and a thieve whilst Indiana shot 7 for 12 from 3 (58%) on his passes.

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Tyrese Haliburton drills step-back 3 for Pacers

Tyrese Haliburton splashes a large step-back 3 for the Pacers down the stretch vs. the Cavaliers.

Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)

What to observe: Darius Garland‘s standing is essential on this collection. Cleveland were given away with being lower than 100% within the first spherical in opposition to the Miami Heat, nevertheless it was once glaring from the hole quarter Sunday that the Pacers are a degree up in festival.

Indiana constantly generated open pictures and knocked them down. The Cavaliers will want Garland, who has neglected the previous 3 playoff video games on account of a sprained giant toe, to supply some offensive assist to Donovan Mitchell, who completed with 33 issues. — Jamal Collier