Starting 5: OKC advances, Cavs stay alive and a look at Game 5 of Wolves-Spurs

The reigning champs are rolling back to the West Finals.

OKC punches its ticket to the next round, remaining unbeaten this postseason.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

OKC Advances: SGA & Ajay Mitchell shine as Thunder edge Lakers, return to West Finals

Ajay’s Ascent: A breakout star is budding for OKC amid its 8-0 Playoff run

Spida Show: Donovan Mitchell delivers record 2nd-half eruption as Cavs even series 2-2

Ant’s Closing Arsenal: Edwards’ offensive evolution fuels Wolves in winning time

Young Response: Castle & Harper keep answering under Playoff pressure. Can they do it again?

BUT FIRST … ⏰

Tonight on NBC & Peacock, Anthony Edwards’ Wolves visit Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs in a pivotal Game 5, with the series tied 2-2 (8 ET | Tap to Watch).

1. OKC STAYS UNBEATEN IN PLAYOFFS, ADVANCES TO WEST FINALS

Back-to-back sweeps. Back to the West Finals.

And to close out the Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saved his best for last.

Thunder 115, Lakers 110: SGA tallied game highs in points (35) and assists (8), while Ajay Mitchell remained red-hot (28 pts, 4 ast, 4 stl) as OKC edged LeBron James (24 pts, 12 reb) and the Lakers in the final minute, winning the series in four to return to the West Finals. | Recap

• L.A. Charge: With James, Austin Reaves (27 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) and Rui Hachimura (25 pts, 4 3pm) leading the way, the Lakers scored 39 in the 3rd, flipping a four-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead entering the 4th
• OKC Answer: The 4th saw no lead greater than six, as OKC clawed its way back to tie the game at 92 with 6:53 left
• Then, Electricity: The teams went shot-for-shot from there, with Marcus Smart’s and-one giving the Lakers a 110-109 edge with 41 ticks left as Crypto.com Arena went into a frenzy
• Champs Stay Steady: Chet Holmgren answered with a go-ahead dunk, before SGA and Mitchell each added a pair of free throws to close on a 6-0 run, silencing a raucous crowd
• “Basketball at its highest form,” said Shai of the close. “Crazy shot-making. We were going back-and-forth … both groups fought like hell, but Thunder win.”

‘Thunder win,’ has become a familiar ending. After leading the league in regular-season victories (64) for a second straight year, OKC is now 8-0 this postseason.

Only three other defending champions have opened a Playoff run 8-0: the 2016-17 Cavs, the 2000-01 Lakers and the 1988-89 Lakers.

And the Thunder have stormed through their competition at a rare pace.

• Relentless: OKC has now won its eight games by an average of 16.6 points – the 3rd-highest point differential of any team to open a postseason 8-0
• The Key? Balance, as the Thunder are pouring in a Playoff-best 121.3 ppg while allowing just 104.6 – an even stingier mark than last year’s title run (106.3)

That two-way dominance has fueled one of the most commanding postseason starts in recent memory, as OKC has spent less than six total minutes trailing in the 4th quarter through eight games.

More than five of those minutes came last night to close out Los Angeles, and OKC knows there’s still a long road ahead.

• “Everything we’ve done is behind us,” said SGA. “We still haven’t reached our goal.”

2. MORE THAN A SPARK: AJAY MITCHELL ANSWERS THE CALL AGAIN

Deep Playoff runs and deep rotations often go hand in hand, and much of OKC’s 8-0 start has been defined by its depth.

From Chet Holmgren’s Game 1 takeover to beat the Lakers to Jared McCain’s hot hand, the Thunder have gotten contributions from every corner of the roster.

But one name keeps surfacing: Ajay Mitchell.

• The Opportunity: With Jalen Williams sidelined to start the season, Mitchell got his shot in OKC’s primary rotation and took advantage, earning 16 starts and more than doubling his ppg from his rookie year (6.5 → 13.6)
• The Elevation: The Year 2 guard has taken another leap in the Playoffs, averaging 18.8 points, 5 dimes and 1.4 steals while helping fill the void left by Williams (2 GP, hamstring)
• The Shine: Against Los Angeles, Mitchell’s breakout kept building, scoring 20 in Game 3, a Playoff career-high 24 in Game 4, then topping it with 28 last night to send OKC back to the West Finals
• “It’s been amazing,” said SGA of Mitchell’s play. “You could say he’s been the best player this series. With Dub being out, we rely on him so much on the ball. He’s just answered the call.”

Now, the 23-year-old lefty – who has played through tragedy this season – has gone from spark plug to series-shaper, ranking 2nd on OKC in total points and assists this postseason, behind only SGA.

Like Shai, Mitchell has embodied the Thunder’s two-way identity. He helped keep Austin Reaves in check while ranking 3rd on the team in steals this postseason, including four last night.

• “Taking pride in [defense],” said Mitchell on the key to his breakout. “That’s been my goal the whole year, and I think that’s most important for our team.”

Now, that team has another young difference-maker, adding yet another layer to the depth fueling their title defense.

• “Everything about Ajay,” said SGA. “His mental, his skillset, his work ethic, it’s all coming together before the world’s eyes.”

3. SPIDA’S HISTORIC 2ND HALF EVENS CAVS-PISTONS AT 2-2

The Cavs were down 56-52 at halftime, two quarters away from a potential 3-1 series deficit, and Donovan Mitchell had four points.

Twenty-four minutes later, Spida had authored one of the greatest scoring halves in Playoff history – and the series was tied 2-2.

Cavaliers 112, Pistons 103: After going 1-of-8 in the 1st half, Mitchell (43 pts, 5 reb) exploded in the 2nd, dropping 39 points – tied for the highest-scoring half in Playoff history – as Cleveland stormed past Cade Cunningham (19 pts, 6 ast) and Detroit to even the series. | Recap

• “I apologized to the group,” said Mitchell on his halftime message. “I came in and told my guys, ‘It’s on me.’ And I tried to make a statement in the 2nd half.”
• He Did: Mitchell opened the 3rd with a floater, an and-one, then a 3 – a personal 8-0 burst to take the lead, and a precursor for what was coming…
• Cavalanche: Four minutes later, Cleveland was up 18, riding a 22-0 tidal wave. That’s the largest unanswered run to open a Playoff half since play-by-play data was first tracked in 1997-98
• Complete Takeover: Mitchell scored 16 points during the burst, finished the 3rd with 21, then added 18 more in the 4th to slam the door
• “I’ve seen a lot of Playoff games,” said NBC’s Grant Hill. “I’m not sure I’ve seen a half quite like this.”
• Cavs’ Core: James Harden (24 pts, 11 ast) and Evan Mobley (17 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl, 5 blk) added big boosts as Cleveland outscored Detroit 60-47 in the final two quarters

Money-Time Mitchell: Spida has made a career of elevating his game in the Playoffs, averaging 28.1 ppg – the 7th-highest postseason scoring average of all-time (min. 20 GP).

But it’s not just the points. It’s the timing.

On Monday, when his team needed him most, Mitchell delivered another masterpiece.

• Extra Gear: After dropping 31 in a Game 2 loss, Mitchell leveled up with 35 to lead the Cavs to a Game 3 win, cutting the series deficit to 2-1
• Then, Last Night: Mitchell’s 39 2nd-half points tied Sleepy Floyd for the most in a Playoff half in NBA history – a record set on May 10, 1987, exactly 39 years and one day earlier
• On His Back: Since 2019-20, Mitchell has eight 40-point Playoff games (tied for the 2nd-most in that span) and 11 halves with 25+ points — more than any player
• For Cleveland, that latest half changed everything, turning a potential 3-1 hole into a best-of-three series, tied 2-2 heading back to Detroit for Game 5 (Wednesday, 8 ET, ESPN)
• “Incredible performance,” said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. “What a shift.”

4. ANT LEADS WOLVES INTO SAN ANTONIO FOR PIVOTAL GAME 5

When Anthony Edwards dropped 16 of his 36 points in the 4th quarter of Game 4, it didn’t just help tie the series — it put his name among some serious all-time greats.

Sunday added another entry to Edwards’ growing resume of late-game Playoff moments, pushing him over 300 career 4th-quarter postseason points – something only five other players have achieved in the play-by-play era before turning 25.

Their names? Jayson Tatum, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

“He was special,” said Wolves coach Chris Finch of Ant after Game 4. “This is what he loves and what he lives for. Not just big games, but big moments.”

Tonight (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), with eyes on a third straight Conference Finals, Edwards leads Minnesota into San Antonio for a crucial Game 5.

Edwards’ latest 4th-quarter takeover wasn’t just powered by his trademark confidence, though.

It showcased the evolution of a scoring arsenal that’s made the 24-year-old one of the NBA’s toughest late-game covers.

• Adding Layers: Once primarily known as a slasher, Ant expanded his game in 2024-25, posting career-highs in 3-point attempts (10.3) and percentage (39.5%) while leading the NBA in 3s made (320) and attempted (811)
• The Next Counter: This season, Edwards added another scoring wrinkle, taking 3.9 midrange shots per game and hitting at a 43.3% clip – both career-bests
• Complete Package: With defenses forced to respect every level, Ant’s biggest strengths have become even harder to contain, as he shot a career-best 59% off drives and 39.9% from 3 this season
• The Result? A career-high 28.8 ppg
• “The No. 1 thing he wanted to do this year was get a repeatable shot in the midrange,” said Finch in February. “Up until this season, he generally would close with the 3-point shot … now he’s mixing it up.”

That expanded shot diet has shaped this Wolves-Spurs matchup in crunch time.

• ⬆️ Inside Attack: Through three quarters of Game 4, four of Edwards’ seven makes came at the rim
• ⏫ Midrange Counter: When San Antonio brought help inside, Edwards answered with three straight midrange buckets to open the 4th
• ⏬ 3-Point Pull: Once the defense crept higher to take those away, he stretched them even further, drilling back-to-back 3s to give Minnesota the lead
• ⬇️ Then, The Payoff: With San Antonio stretched thin to contain Edwards, Minnesota went back inside, scoring all six of its clutch-time field goals at the rim to secure the win

The Closing Impact: The Wolves are 4-3 vs. the Spurs this season, outscoring San Antonio by an average of 7.4 points in the 4th quarter.

The difference? Edwards – averaging 10 points in those seven closing quarters.

• “That’s who he is,” said Finch of Ant’s clutch gene after Game 4. “That’s who we need him to be. We’re lucky to have him – and he’s special, no doubt.”

5. SPURS SEEK RESPONSE, YOUNG GUARDS READY FOR NEXT TEST

Edwards may have swung Game 4 late, but the Spurs have spent this postseason proving they can respond to adversity.

San Antonio is 2-0 following losses in these Playoffs, including a 38-point win in Game 2 after Minnesota took the series opener.

A major reason for those bounce-back performances? The continued growth of young guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside veteran De’Aaron Fox.

• Young Duo Delivers: After dropping Game 2 of the First Round to Portland, Castle (33 pts) and Harper (27) stepped up in Victor Wembanyama’s absence (concussion), combining for 60 points to power San Antonio’s Game 3 win
• The Power OF Three: In San Antonio’s Game 2 bounce-back vs. Minnesota, Castle, Harper and Fox combined for 48, as the Spurs rolled to their 3rd-largest win in Playoff history
• Latest Test: On Sunday, all three guards topped 20 points as San Antonio nearly stole a road win despite losing Wemby to a 2nd-quarter ejection

What do all three games have in common? In each case, San Antonio turned to its backcourt in pressure-packed spots.

And in all three instances, Harper and Castle – each playing in their first postseason – provided stability alongside Fox.

• “I think we respond well to adversity,” said Castle after Game 2. “We’ve done that all year … I think for me, and us as a group, our aggressiveness goes up a level after a loss.”

No Fear: That assertiveness has Castle in rare company. He’s averaging 18.9 points and 6.1 assists this postseason – numbers unmatched by any player under 21 through his first nine career Playoff games since LeBron James.

Meanwhile, Harper is the first rookie since Jayson Tatum to record multiple Playoff games with 24+ points and 7+ boards.

Now, the young duo will look to deliver again as the winner of Game 5 in a Conference Semifinal tied 2-2 moves on 84.2% of the time (80-15).

• “It’s first to four,” said Harper after Sunday’s loss. “This series wasn’t going to be easy, we knew that … we’re just gonna keep attacking, attacking, attacking.”

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