Don’t look now… but the Thunder won their 70th game of the season on Tuesday.
And they did it by going up +70 so far in their First Round series.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
April 23, 2025
Lakers pull even: Luka’s 31 leads Lakers past Wolves in Game 2 in L.A.
Indy, OKC up 2-0: Pacers get past Bucks, Thunder roll against Grizzlies
Warriors-Rockets: Can Steph repeat Game 1 magic or will Houston get a split?
Cavs-Heat: Spida Mitchell-Ty Jerome bond on Playoff stage as Cavs seek 2-0 lead
Celtics-Magic: Balance lifted C’s in Game 1, they’ll need it again with Tatum doubtful
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Yesterday’s scores & what to watch today…
After delivering its most-watched opening weekend in 25 years – averaging 4.4 million views – the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google continue tonight with a trio of Game 2s.
The action opens with the top two seeds in the East seeking 2-0 leads as the Celtics host the Magic (7 ET, TNT) and the Cavs welcome the Heat (7:30 ET, NBA TV). The nightcap shifts West with the Rockets seeking a split with the visiting Warriors (9:30 ET, TNT).
After Payton Pritchard was named Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year on Tuesday, the Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year will be revealed tonight (6:30 ET, TNT). The finalists? New York’s Jalen Brunson, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards & Denver’s Nikola Jokiċ.
1. LAKERS HOLD OFF WOLVES TO KNOT SERIES AT 1-1
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Game 2 in Los Angeles started with a WOO! and ended with a Lakers W.
A hot start from Luka Dončić and a defensive effort that held the Wolves to a season-low 85 points helped the Lakers even the series on Tuesday.
Lakers 94, Wolves 85: Luka scored 22 of his game-high 31 points in the 1st half as L.A. built a 22-point lead and held off the Wolves, who cut the lead to nine in the 4th quarter, but got no closer after LeBron’s game-sealing steal and layup with 2:41 left. | Recap
- Lakers coach JJ Redick: “All of a sudden there was [Timberwolves] momentum… LeBron just made a massive play.“
- Dynamic duo: After dropping their first Playoff game as teammates, Luka (31 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast) & LeBron (21 pts, 11 reb, 7 ast) combined for 52 points and both flirted with triple-doubles
- Luka Curry? Listen as a mic’d up Dončić “did my best Steph impression” with his look at the bench after releasing a 3
- More must-see Luka: Check out the handle, the fake and the fadeaway, plus a slick no-look dime to a cutting Dorian Finney-Smith
- Among legends: Luka joined Shaq and George Mikan as the only players to post 30+ points in each of their first two Playoff games with the Lakers
- Luka’s reaction: “That’s fine but it don’t matter, we gotta win no matter what. If I have 30, if I have 10, we just gotta win. It’s not about players, it’s about team.”
Two pack: After four Wolves scored 16+ points in their Game 1 win, only two reached double-digits in Game 2. Anthony Edwards (25 pts, 6 reb, 1 must-see slam from all-angles, plus slow-mo) and Julius Randle (Playoff career-high 27 pts, 6 ast) combined for 52 in the loss.
- Missing offense: The Wolves dropped to 2-3 on the season when scoring fewer than 100 points, including a 1-1 mark against the Lakers in such games
- What’s next: Tied 1-1, the series heads to Minneapolis for the next two games, beginning with Game 3 on Friday (9:30 ET, ESPN).
2. THUNDER, PACERS PROTECT HOME, EARN 2-0 LEADS
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
The Thunder set the record for the highest point differential in league history during the regular season (+12.9).
They’re taking it to a new level to begin the postseason.
After posting the largest Game 1 win ever (+51), the Thunder followed it up with a 19-point win in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead.
Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99: The trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (27 pts), Jalen Williams (24 pts) and Chet Holmgren (20 pts, 11 reb, 5 blk) combined for 71 points, while OKC’s defense stifled Memphis for the second-straight game. | Recap
- Historic pace: OKC has posted the 2nd-largest point differential (+70) in the first two games of a Playoff series. The most? The 1986 Lakers (+75 vs. the Spurs)
- One of four: The Thunder are only the 4th team with a differential of 70+ over any two-game Playoff span, joining the aforementioned Lakers, the 2009 Nuggets (+79) and 1971 Bucks (+71)
Setting the tone: The Thunder scored the game’s first nine points, holding Memphis scoreless on 0-for-10 shooting for the first 3.5 minutes.
- Answering every run: OKC led by 15 after the 1st quarter and held a double-digit advantage most of the night. When Memphis closed the gap to eight midway through the 3rd, OKC responded by pushing it back to 23 in the 4th
- Winning with defense: This season, Memphis averaged 121.7 ppg (2nd in NBA) and scored fewer than 100 points only once. The Thunder have held the Grizzlies under 100 in each of the first two games in this series
- Joining elite company: Holmgren joined Dwight Howard (2x), Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Amar’e Stoudemire as the only players with 20+ pts, 10+ reb and 5+ blk in a Playoff game before turning 23
Headed home: Jaren Jackson Jr. (26 pts) and Ja Morant (23 pts, 1 unreal chasedown block) combined for 49 points in the loss. The Grizzlies go for their first win in the series on Thursday (9:30 ET, TNT) back in Memphis.
Jeff Haynes & Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images
After dropping Game 1 on the road, the Bucks had Damian Lillard back in the lineup for the first time in a month as they sought a split before the series heads to Milwaukee.
But the Pacers used another fast start and a clutch finish to fend off the Bucks and take a 2-0 lead.
Pacers 123, Bucks 115: The Pacers dropped a 40-piece in the opening quarter – their highest scoring Playoff quarter of the play-by-play era, building a lead that would be challenged but never overcome. | Recap
- Tyrese Haliburton had seven points and six dimes in the opening frame, while Bennedict Mathurin added 10 points off the bench in the 1st half
- Indy led by as many as 16, but the Bucks cut the lead to two points on a Dame 3 with 2:31 to play before Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard delivered a pair of clutch 3s to ice the game
- Two-man game: Siakam (24 pts, 11 reb) and Haliburton (21 pts, 12 ast) each posted 20/10s in the win. Tyrese became only the 3rd Pacer with multiple 20-pt, 10-ast Playoff games
Bucks leaders: Giannis Antetokounmpo (34 pts, 18 reb, 7 ast) and Bobby Portis (28 pts, 12 reb, Playoff career-high 6 3pm) combined for 62 points and 30 boards in the loss, while Lillard had 14 points and seven assists in his first action since March 18.
- Matching a legend: With his 8th Playoff game with 30+ pts, 15+ reb and 5+ ast, Giannis tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most such games in Bucks history
- What’s next: The Pacers take a 2-0 lead as the series shifts to Milwaukee for the next two games. Game 3 is set for Friday (8 ET, ESPNU/NBA TV)
3. ROCKETS TRY TO BOUNCE BACK AGAINST STEPH, WARRIORS
No Western Conference team held Stephen Curry to fewer points per game during the regular season than the Houston Rockets.
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs began, Steph changed the narrative.
After averaging just 16.3 ppg against the Rockets in three regular-season matchups, Curry dropped a game-high 31 points with five threes in Game 1, cheffing up a road victory for the Warriors.
Tonight in Houston (9:30 ET, TNT), Curry and the Warriors look to take a commanding lead heading back to the Bay, while the Rockets look to knot the series at 1-1.
“In order for us to win basketball games, it requires Steph Curry to be great,” Draymond Green said after Game 1. “And he was just that.”
- Sunday’s Steph show saw a few wild circus shots, including a bomb while fading into the right corner, which, in the words of TNT’s Kevin Harlan – “geometrically, that should not have happened!”
- Curry’s Warriors have gone 10-1 in his career after going up 2-0 in a series
- Golden State is 17-6 when Curry puts up 30+ points this season, including postseason play
- “That’s a Batman if I’ve ever seen a Batman,” Jimmy Butler III has said of his new running mate. “Always coming to save the day. You’re never out of any game.”
Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images
The Rockets have the tools to strike back, including an elite defense, which ranked 5th in defensive rating at 110.3 and 6th in opponent points per game with 109.8.
- They’ve done it all season, as the Rockets tied for the league lead with 26 clutch wins
- One of those clutch wins came against Golden State with stakes on the line in the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals as Houston held the Warriors scoreless over the final three minutes in a 91-90 win
- But now it’s time to deliver on the biggest stage
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images
Coach Ime Udoka was pleased with the Rockets’ defensive effort in Game 1, but called for more from his offense.
“Not our best offensive night by any means,” said Udoka. “(But) holding somebody to 95, you’d expect to win if you have a decent offensive night.”
The Warriors were 0-8 when held to 95 points or less this season… until Game 1.
- Center Alperen Sengun is a significant factor in Houston’s offense – he averaged 22.5 ppg in the Rockets’ two wins over Golden State during the regular season and 13.3 ppg in their three losses
- Houston went big in Game 1, playing Sengun and Steven Adams to seize a 22-6 advantage on the offensive glass and a +20 advantage in points in the paint. Will they repeat that tactic tonight?
- Jalen Green (7 pts, 3-15 FG in Game 1) is likely to bounce back in Game 2. Beyond the games once Houston had the 2 seed secured, Green scored in single-digits just nine times this season. In the following games, he averaged 25.9 ppg and Houston went 7-2
- Fred VanVleet could also rebound – he shot 4-19 in Game 1, his lowest FG% since 2022 on that many attempts
4. CAVS BACKCOURT LOOKS TO STAY HOT VS. HEAT IN GAME 2
It takes historic numbers to achieve a historic season. The Cavaliers accumulated a 58.0% effective FG% and averaged 121.9 ppg in 2024-25 – neither of which had been done across 54 years of franchise lore.
They stayed true to such unprecedented offense to open these Playoffs.
Cleveland took Game 1 against Miami handily on Sunday, scoring its most points (121) in a Playoff game since 2018, and can extend its series lead with another favorable result in Game 2 tonight (7:30 ET, NBA TV).
- A three-headed monster roared in the form of Donovan Mitchell (30 pts), Ty Jerome (28) and Darius Garland (27). Jerome exploded in the 4th quarter with 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting
- “He turned the game for us. He did it all tonight,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson about the Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year Finalist
Donovan Mitchell via X
Mitchell and Jerome have embarked on their first postseason together, and their connection dates way back. They once played on the same teams in AAU basketball and youth baseball.
- Brotherly boost: When the two guards shared the court in the regular season, Cleveland posted a 11.5 NetRtg that, if standing alone, would place 2nd in the league
- Swordsmanship: Jerome’s 28 points Sunday trailed only Kyrie Irving’s 30 (2015) and LeBron James’ 32 (2006) for the most ever by a Cavalier in their postseason debut
- Spread the wealth: Although Mitchell’s 30-piece was instrumental, his team has been better off when the whole squad is rolling. Cleveland was 13-6 in regular-season games where he scored 30+ but 27-2 when he scored between 20 and 29
Miami will look to Tyler Herro (21 pts) and Bam Adebayo (24 pts) for answers after their combined 45 points Sunday wasn’t enough. But the man guiding them is more prepared than most for what comes next.
- The Spoelstra secret: The Heat are 10-3 in Game 2s following Game 1 losses since Erik Spoelstra took the reins in 2008, including last year’s Game 2 victory over the Celtics in the First Round behind Herro’s 24 points and 14 assists
- Heat check: Across those outings, Miami has averaged a 3-point percentage of 44.6% compared to its mark of 36.7% set during the 2024-25 regular season
5. CAN BOSTON’S DEPTH PROPEL THEM TO A 2-0 LEAD?
The defending champs were challenged in a way Sunday they rarely have been this season. For just the 3rd time in 2024-25, neither Jayson Tatum nor Jaylen Brown scored 20 points in a game they played together.
But unlike the last two occasions – both losses – Boston didn’t need its All-Stars to shine.
Thanks to Derrick White’s 30 points and Payton Pritchard’s 19 off the bench, the Celtics return to the parquet tonight for Game 2 (7 ET, TNT) against the Magic with the 1-0 series advantage in hand.
Five members of their roster entered the postseason averaging 14+ ppg.
- “The best gift that we’ve gotten as a team is our flexibility,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla
- Depth might be tested once again, as Tatum is doubtful with a bone bruise in his right wrist per Tuesday’s injury report. The team went 8-2 in his absence during the regular season
- Two-way play: Boston finished top five in both OffRtg and DefRtg for the 3rd consecutive season, making them the first to do so throughout the 48 years that turnovers have contributed to calculations
- Lucky No. 7: Not only did seven players pitch in 24+ minutes in Game 1, but seven also submitted multiple assists, overwhelming Orlando defensively with their ability to create open looks anywhere and move the ball efficiently
Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Sunday also represented the Magic tasting their own medicine. They were limited to 86 points themselves after holding teams to a league-best 105.4 points per game during the regular season.
- Another masterclass: The Celtics allowed 86 or less to a Playoff opponent for the 8th time since 2020 – most in the NBA in that time
- Jrue the glue: Paolo Banchero (14-for-27) and Franz Wagner (10-for-24) were a combined 1-for-7 from the field when guarded by Jrue Holiday in Game 1
- Banchero and Wagner will need some help this time around. They combined for 59 points – 68.6% of the offense – while the remaining three members of Orlando’s starting 5 combined for just 10 points
- “When we get the stops, we’ve got to get out and run. It’s about us pushing the pace, attacking downhill,” said Magic coach Jamahl Mosley
