In an exhilarating day of NBA playoff games, the Los Angeles Clippers managed to even their series against the Dallas Mavericks with a 116-111 victory, despite Dallas making a remarkable effort to overcome a 31-point deficit. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks surged to a commanding 3-1 lead in their series against the Philadelphia 76ers, inspired by Jalen Brunson’s record-breaking 47-point performance.
The Clippers, who played without their injured star Kawhi Leonard, were buoyed by outstanding performances from both James Harden and Paul George. In an explosive start, George scored 26 of his total 33 points in the first half, helping the Clippers establish an imposing early lead. Harden matched George’s total with 33 points, 15 of which came in the crucial fourth quarter as Dallas nearly staged what could have been one of the biggest comebacks in NBA playoff history.
Dallas’ challenge was spearheaded by Kyrie Irving who put up a scintillating 40-point display, including a crucial driving layup late in the game that momentarily gave the Mavericks a one-point lead. Moreover, Luka Doncic contributed a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, in the pivotal moments, it was the Clippers who held their nerve, with George sinking a timely three-pointer to regain the lead for Los Angeles.
Over in Philadelphia, Jalen Brunson stole the limelight as he set a new franchise record for the highest points in a playoff game by a Knick, scoring 47 points along with 10 assists, pushing the Sixers to the edge of elimination. The defense was notably strong from OG Anunoby, who not only scored 16 points but also captured 14 rebounds and played a critical role in containing Sixers’ star Joel Embiid. Embiid, the reigning MVP, managed 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Tyrese Maxey added 23 points for Philadelphia. Despite his record-setting night, Brunson remained focused on the goals ahead, downplaying his individual achievement in light of the team’s future challenges.
In another match of the day, the Indiana Pacers took a strong 3-1 lead in their series against the Milwaukee Bucks, thanks to their sharpshooting prowess from beyond the arc. The Pacers drilled 22 three-pointers, with Myles Turner hitting seven to score a playoff career-high of 29 points.
The Bucks, who were already without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a calf injury and also missing Damian Lillard, struggled to match Indiana’s intensity, and their situation worsened when Bobby Portis was ejected in the first quarter.
Finally, the night ended with the Phoenix Suns being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading to their playoff exit. Anthony Edwards was the star of the show, scoring 40 points, 31 of which came in a dominant second half, along with seven 3-pointers.
Karl-Anthony Towns also had a strong showing with 28 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Timberwolves secure their first playoff series victory in 20 years. As the playoffs proceed, the stakes continue to rise with teams either fighting to survive or looking to clinch their series, making every game a must-watch event for basketball fans.
News source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2024/4/29/nba-wrap-la-clippers-survive-epic-dallas-comeback-ny-knicks-edge-sixers
