Starting 5: Knicks survive, Spurs shine & a look at tonight's Game 2s

Twenty-five lead changes …

Two storied rivals …

One elite closer.

In a back-and-forth duel vs. Philly, Jalen Brunson did what he does best to put New York up 2-0.

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Knicks Close: After dominant stretch, New York shows versatility in late win over Philly

Captain Clutch: Another chapter of big-moment buckets – how Brunson keeps doing it

Spurs Answer: Wemby & San Antonio overwhelm Minnesota to even series

Lakers at Thunder: Inside Chet’s rise as OKC eyes a 2-0 series lead vs. LeBron’s Lakers

Cavs at Pistons: Detroit’s defense looks to maintain home court, Cavs aim to bounce back

BUT FIRST … ⏰

The Conference Semifinals bring two more Game 2s tonight on Prime as the Pistons and Thunder each look to go up 2-0 at home:

• Cavaliers at Pistons (7 ET, Prime | Tap to Watch)
• Lakers at Thunder (9:30 ET, Prime | Tap to Watch)

Playoff Hub: Catch the latest news, analysis and stories from every series in one spot.

1. KNICKS TAKE BACK-AND-FORTH BATTLE VS. SIXERS FOR 2-0 LEAD

Last week: A 29-point win and a 51-point win.

This week: A 39-point win.

Wednesday: A six-point win.

New York’s dominant offense was in a different kind of matchup in Game 2 against Philly, and still found a way to win.

Knicks 108, Sixers 102: Jalen Brunson (26 pts, 6 ast) led four Knicks starters in double figures to battle through the most lead changes in a Playoff clash in over a decade, inching away from Tyrese Maxey (26 pts, 6 ast) and Philly in the final moments for a 2-0 series edge.

Without Joel Embiid (ankle, hip) and Mitchell Robinson (illness), the two longtime rivals played to razor-thin margins all night — with neither team taking a lead larger than 7 points. | Recap

• Reeled In: After New York became the first team to win three straight Playoff games by 25+ points and trailing by three with 6:56 left, one of the league’s elite clutch teams held Philly to 4-19 4th Q shooting and closed on a 9-3 run to win by six
• No Escape: The 25 lead changes in Game 2 rank as the most in a postseason game since 2015, when the Spurs and Clippers produced 31 lead changes in Game 7 of the First Round
• “Just us executing … finding a way to get a gritty win,” Karl-Anthony Towns (20 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast) said. “Something that, for better or for worse, hasn’t been in our cards the last four games. But this showed a lot about our locker room.”

Despite their recent dominant point differentials, the Knicks cut their teeth in close games this season.

• Comfy In Crunch Time: New York owned the East’s 3rd-best win percentage (61.8%) in clutch games this season, going 21-13
• “It’s about trying to figure out a way to get a stop,” coach Mike Brown said of a tight Game 2. “That’s what you can control more than the ball going in, and I thought our guys did a decent job of that.”
• No Let Up: With Towns and backup Ariel Hukporti in foul trouble early, the Knicks went smaller — and got big nights from OG Anunoby (24 pts, 4 stls) and Mikal Bridges (18 pts, 9-13 from field)

Defensive stops were a focal point for Philly, too, as it tried to take its second Game 2 on the road of these Playoffs.

• While the Sixers didn’t limit their opponent to 100 points or less as they did in their four First Round wins, they shrank the Knicks’ three-game, 39.7-point win margin to just six
• Rising Up: The Sixers got 17+ from VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr and Paul George — whose hot start paced an early Philly lead — and got a late spark from Dom Barlow off the bench, as they mixed looks against the Knicks’ high-powered offense
• “We played good enough defense to win that game, especially in the 4th… holding them to 19 [points],” coach Nick Nurse said… “And we played great offense, we just didn’t shot-make.”

Up Next: The series shifts to Philadelphia, where the Sixers will look to get on the board in Game 3 on Friday (7 ET, Prime).

2. CLUTCH BRUNSON MET MOMENT AGAIN IN BACK & FORTH GAME 2

Up four with 3:46 left.

“Captain Clutch” had just hit his second straight jumper for a 103-99 lead.

Jalen Brunson, last year’s Kia Clutch Player of the Year, was in his element late in Game 2 against Philly.

And lucky for him, the game’s previous 44 minutes were just as close.

• Winning Time: Brunson’s 26 points tied for the game-high, including three of New York’s six points in clutch time, where the Knicks were finally able to separate, 6-0
• Creating Space: That second Brunson J with under 4 to go put the Knicks up 103-99, giving New York its first lead larger than 3. Brunson then hit two free throws to match the night’s largest lead, 107-100
• Remaining Threats: Only two players still in the championship hunt have scored more total clutch points in these Playoffs than Brunson’s 12, across three opportunities
• Always Closing: That lines up with his late-game dependability all year, after logging the 8th-most total clutch points of any player in the regular season (116)

So how does he do it – particularly at the end of a Playoff game with 25 lead changes?

• “Most importantly, just staying poised, staying composed,” Brunson said postgame. “Just figuring out one play at a time, one step at a time, and not looking too far ahead.”
• Great Late: Since joining the Knicks in 2022-23, Brunson owns more 10+ point 4th quarters in the postseason than any other player (18)
• Meeting The Moment: Brunson is just the seventh player in NBA history to average 25+ points and 5+ assists through his first 75 career Playoff games, right on track Wednesday with 26 and six
• “I feel like every single game’s gonna be like it was tonight,” Tyrese Maxey said of the matchup. “It’s gonna come down to who makes plays at the end of the game.”

3. SPURS SURGE PAST WOLVES, EVEN SERIES AT 1-1

Victor Wembanyama left Game 1 of the West Semis as a history-maker, as his 12 blocks set a single-game Playoff record.

But after shooting 5-of-17 in Minnesota’s 104-102 win, Wembanyama wasn’t interested in records – only responsibility.

• “It’s a lot on me,” said Wemby postgame. “If I had been better, and the offensive leaders had been better, it would have been different.”

In Game 2, it was different.

Spurs 133, Wolves 95: After being held to 11 points in Monday’s loss, Wemby (19 pts, 15 reb, 2 blk) had 14 by halftime – along with 9 boards – as the Spurs used a 2nd-quarter tsunami to roll past Anthony Edwards (12 pts) and the Wolves, evening the series at 1-1.

As for the other offensive leaders? Stephon Castle (21 pts, 4 ast, 6-10 FG) and De’Aaron Fox (16 pts, 5-10 FG) combined for 37, as seven Spurs scored in double figures for the team’s most points in a Playoff game since 1983. | Recap

“I think there was some good and some bad,” said Wemby on the Game 1 loss. “But the bad was not going to what we know.”

When San Antonio commits to what it knows best – Wemby working the paint and its athletes attacking in space – it can flip games quickly.

That’s exactly what happened in Game 2.

• Settling: San Antonio shot 10-of-36 (27.8%) from deep in Game 1 – its most 3-point attempts since April 12 and its lowest percentage since March 13
• Attacking: Last night, eight of their nine 1st-quarter field goals were in the paint, opening the outside for a Fox 3 before the horn
• Blazing: Then, the floodgates opened, as San Antonio erupted for a 35-18 2nd quarter, using seven different scorers while Castle (8 pts), Wemby (7) and Fox (5) combined to outscore Minnesota on their own
• Dominating: Suddenly, the Spurs had a 59-35 halftime lead, with 17 of their 21 field goals coming from the paint and more dunks (8) than 3s (4)

Chain Reaction: San Antonio finished with 58 points in the paint compared to Minnesota’s 36, while outscoring the Wolves 29-5 in fastbreak points.

Once the Spurs controlled the inside, the outside opened, as they hit 12 3s in the 2nd half to seal their 3rd-largest Playoff win in franchise history.

And it all started with getting back to what they know.

• “Intensity to start the game,” said Wemby on the difference between Games 1 and 2
• “It’s just that simple?” replied ESPN’s Jorge Sedano
• “Yeah.”

Up Next: Tied 1-1, the series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Friday (9:30 ET, Prime).

4. ON PRIME: CHET FUELS THUNDER INTO GAME 2 VS. LAKERS

Of all the players to put on a Thunder uniform, only two have recorded 24+ points, 12+ boards and 3+ blocks in a Playoff game:

Kevin Durant and Chet Holmgren.

In Game 1 of the West Semis, with Jalen Williams out (hamstring) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held under 20 points for the first time all season, it was Holmgren who delivered for OKC – his latest statement in a season full of growth.

Tonight on Prime (9:30 ET), Chet and the reigning champs host LeBron James’ Lakers in Game 2, with OKC aiming to go up 2-0. | Jeff Zillgitt’s Three Things To Watch

Wired Right: The No. 2 pick in the 2022 Draft, Holmgren entered the league as a tantalizing 7-foot prospect with rare two-way ability. But he had room to grow, both physically — at 195 lbs. — and in experience, after just one year of college as a 19-year-old.

But from Day 1, his mentality never needed maturing.

• “The first day he walked in the doors, you could just tell how much he cares about the game, and his game,” said SGA. “He really wants to maximize his potential …
• “And that’s all it comes down to – a guy that wants to be the best version of himself gives himself the best chance to get there.”

Holmgren’s relentless pursuit has turned potential into production – especially in the biggest moments, from last year’s title run to this year’s Playoffs.

• Championship Momentum: After leading the 2025 Finals in rebounds, blocks and plus-minus, Holmgren followed it with an offensive leap this season, posting career highs in points (17.1), FG% (55.7%) and offensive boards (1.9) and rebounds (8.9)
• All-Around Impact: That two-way growth earned him his first All-Star nod – and translated to wins, with OKC going 21-5 this season when he posts a double-double
• Playoff Proven: Since 2025, the Thunder are 8-2 in Playoff games when Chet scores 20+ and 14-2 when he records multiple blocks. When he does both? OKC is unbeaten (5-0)
• “There’s no amount of basketball he can’t handle,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “He cares about it and wants to improve – and where has he improved? Everywhere.”

Even scarier? Chet’s still climbing.

• “The version of Chet today … that’s the worst version of Chet we’re gonna get,” said SGA last week. “Chet’s a guy who gets better every day, every year – and we’re seeing that unfold through our eyes.”

Now, OKC eyes a 2-0 series lead, but LeBron and the Lakers stand in their way, with a knack for bouncing back.

Los Angeles is 20-11 following losses this season, and James – one of the game’s sharpest problem-solvers – has often found answers in this spot, owning a 14-10 record in Game 2s after dropping Game 1.

5. ALSO ON PRIME: PISTONS LOOK TO PROTECT HOME COURT VS. CAVS

One game stood between the Pistons and an early end to their 60-win season. Down 3-1 to the Magic in the First Round, Orlando had three chances to eliminate them.

One by one, those chances disappeared.

Tonight (7 ET, Prime), Detroit carries a 1-0 series lead into Game 2 against the Cavaliers, looking to retain home-court advantage. | Shaun Powell’s Three Things to Watch

• Back From The Brink: The Pistons have now won four straight games by an average of 13.2 points since trailing 3-1
• “We were pushed to the limit,” said Cade Cunningham. “And it got us back to playing the basketball that we knew we were capable of.”

Their calling card – defense – has fueled a league-best 102.5 DefRtg in these Playoffs, with Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson leading the way.

• On Both Ends: Duren posted an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double in Game 1, and a game-high +17 plus-minus to hold off Cleveland
• Matchup Nightmare: Thompson has limited opponents to 38.4% shooting while piling up 17 steals and 17 blocks this postseason

With Thompson everywhere and Duren anchoring the inside, Detroit’s defense has overwhelmed opponents at a rare pace.

• Motor City Masterclass: Detroit has tallied 69 blocks and 65 steals in the Playoffs – the first team to record 65+ in both categories through its first eight games since the 1993 Rockets
• “That’s just how the Pistons are going to win,” Thompson said earlier this spring. “It’s defense first – that’s what makes the Pistons the Pistons. That’s what the team is built off of.”

The Cavaliers, though, can steal home court with a win tonight before heading back to Cleveland.

• The Key? It may be their offense. The Cavs averaged 120 ppg in their four wins vs. Toronto, but were held to 101 in Game 1 vs. Detroit
• “It’s attention to detail. We’ve got to be sharp, and we just weren’t,” said Donovan Mitchell. “So many things that we can control … we’ll clean that up and move forward.”

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