Nuggets erase early deficit, take Game 1 over Clippers in OT
Nikola Jokic scored 29 points and was a rebound shy of a triple-double, Aaron Gordon added 25, and the Denver Nuggets overcame a sluggish first half to seize a 112-110 Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime.
Jamal Murray contributed 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Russell Westbrook made key plays at the end of regulation and overtime to give Denver a 1-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The Nuggets won their fourth straight game since firing Michael Malone and naming David Adelman the team's interim coach.
Denver's defence forced 20 turnovers, including a deflected pass by Russell Westbrook with 9.6 seconds remaining in overtime that ricocheted off James Harden before heading out of bounds.
The Clippers, who had won 18 of their last 21 games to close the regular season, got 32 points and 11 assists from Harden. Kawhi Leonard added 22 points but had a team-high seven turnovers.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night in Denver.
FIRST ONE GOES TO US pic.twitter.com/jhliryc7Go
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 19, 2025
Timberwolves rout Lakers despite Doncic's 37 points
Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points on 11-for-13 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves made 21 3-pointers in their 117-95 Game 1 rout over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Luka Dončić had 37 points and eight rebounds in his Lakers postseason debut but received little help on the offensive end to keep up with the hot-shooting Timberwolves.
The rest of the Lakers shot 21 for 61 (34.4%) from the field and attempted just seven free throws. LeBron James had 19 points and five rebounds.
The Timberwolves, who were Western Conference finalists last season, entered the series as underdogs but stole home-court advantage with their decisive opening win.
McDaniels, Julius Randle, Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid combined to shoot 17 for 27 from 3-point range.
Los Angeles will aim to even the series at home in Tuesday's Game 2.
Knicks rally past Pistons with stunning run
Jalen Brunson overcame a cold start to score 34 points, and the New York Knicks used a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Detroit Pistons 123-112 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
The Pistons held a 98-90 lead with a little over nine minutes remaining before being buried under a scoring avalanche by the No. 3-seeded Knicks.
Brunson was 4 for 15 at half-time but scored 23 in the second half to give New York a 1-0 series lead. Cameron Payne scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Karl-Anthony Towns, playing in his first playoff game with the Knicks, finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
KNICKS 21-0 RUN TO ICE GAME 1
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025
New York rode 21 straight PTS, as part of a 40-PT 4Q, to a Game 1 victory!!
Every bucket from the run to give them a 1-0 series lead pic.twitter.com/CYqcADpdat
Detroit lost their 14th consecutive postseason game, extending their all-time NBA record. The franchise's last win in a playoff game was in 2008.
Cade Cunningham had 21 points and 12 assists in his first career playoff game, but he also had six turnovers and shot 8 for 21 from the field.
Veteran forward Tobias Harris led the way for Detroit with 25 points.
The Knicks host Game 2 on Monday night.
Siakam, Haliburton help Pacers cruise by Bucks
Pascal Siakam had 25 points, Tyrese Haliburton dished out 12 assists, and the Indiana Pacers cruised to a 117-98 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, seizing a 1-0 series lead.
The Pacers' crisp offence committed only five turnovers, and Indiana had 28 assists to Milwaukee's 15.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 36 points and 12 rebounds, but the rest of the Bucks' starters combined for just 14 points.
The Bucks, still playing without Damian Lillard due to a blood clot issue, will hope to even the series on Tuesday.