Wemby’s return, Boston’s 3s assist Spurs, Celtics go up 3-1. Raptors get even with Cavs & Rockets lengthen sequence on Sunday.
From 19 factors down … to 21 up.
Wemby and the Spurs packed a historic rally into what appeared like a blink to seize a 3-1 sequence lead.
Preserve studying for what you gotta know from a wild Playoff weekend, three video games tonight on NBC & Peacock and what’s forward this week ⬇️
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
What’s Trending – West: 4 groups one win from advancing, 4 preventing to outlive
What’s Trending – East: Two sequence tied 2-2, Orlando making Magic, C’s one win from closing
Spurs Surge Again (Once more): Wemby’s dominant return ignites one other epic San Antonio swing
Rockets Reply: Shorthanded Houston clamps down on Lakers to drive Sport 5
East Dubs: Raptors even sequence at 2-2, C’s splash 24 treys to take 3-1 lead
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Three Sport 4s tip off tonight throughout NBC & Peacock, with the Magic (up 2-1) internet hosting the Pistons, earlier than the Thunder (up 3-0) and Wolves (up 3-1) look to advance.
Catch Up Fast: From the bracket, to schedules, to the most recent information from each single sequence, faucet right here for the NBA Playoffs Hub.
The Kia Rookie of the Yr winner shall be introduced at 7 ET on Peacock forward of Pistons-Magic. The three finalists? Philly’s VJ Edgecombe, Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel. See this week’s full NBA Awards announcement schedule right here.
1. WHAT’S TRENDING – WEST: CLOSEOUTS OR COMEBACKS?
4 sequence. 4 groups one win away from advancing. 4 opponents with their backs towards the wall.
A wild Playoff weekend produced fireworks out West, from a frantic Friday to 2 Saturday takeovers, a pair of San Antonio rallies and a season-saving win in Houston.
How We Acquired Right here: Sunday opened with Victor Wembanyama’s return igniting a 2nd-half Spurs avalanche, earlier than the Rockets prevented elimination.
- Again-To-Again Comebacks: After rallying from 15 down on Friday to take a 2-1 sequence lead, the Spurs erased a 19-point deficit on Sunday, outscoring Portland 73-35 in the 2nd half to go up 3-1
- Prime Two, Twice: It’s the second-largest Spurs comeback in postseason historical past and the second-largest 2nd-half Playoff level differential (+38) since play-by-play monitoring started in 1997-98
- Wemby Masterclass: Main the best way? Wemby, who returned from concussion protocol in dominating trend (27 pts, 12 reb, 7 blk, 4 stl) – a Playoff stat line unseen in 20+ years
- Rockets Rebound: In a 3-0 gap towards LeBron James’ Lakers – after an epic Game 3 OT duel – Houston answered with an emphatic 19-point win final evening, forcing a Wednesday Sport 5 in Los Angeles (10 ET, ESPN)
Saturday Sizzle: Saturday delivered two assertion wins from the Thunder and Wolves, highlighted by a uncommon pair of 40-balls – one from the reigning Kia MVP, and the opposite from a scorching-hot spark plug.
- Ayo Emergence: After shedding Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles), Ayo Dosunmu dropped 43 for the Wolves off the bench on 13-of-17 capturing, lifting Minnesota previous Denver to take a 3-1 lead
- Ant & DiVo Updates: Edwards is reportedly anticipated to overlook a number of weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, whereas DiVincenzo’s season is over with a torn Achilles
- Thunder Strike Once more: In the meantime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for OKC, scoring 42 on 15-of-18 capturing to gas a 121-109 win in Phoenix, giving the Thunder a 3-0 sequence lead
- 40-Ball Fireplace: Dosunmu’s 43 factors are the 2nd-most by a reserve in NBA Playoff historical past, whereas SGA is the primary participant ever to attain 42+ pts on not less than 83.3% capturing in a postseason recreation
Enormous Video games Tonight On NBC & Peacock: The Suns and Nuggets will look to reply tonight with their backs towards the wall, as Phoenix welcomes OKC for Sport 4 (9:30, Peacock), whereas Denver hosts Minnesota for Sport 5 (10:30 ET, NBC/Peacock).
- Been Right here Earlier than: The final staff to rally from a 3-1 deficit to win the sequence? The Nuggets in 2020 – each within the First Spherical (vs. UTA) and the West Semis (vs. LAC)
- Phoenix Combat: The Suns will look to develop into the primary staff to erase a 3-0 sequence deficit behind Dillon Brooks, their emotional chief who’s stepped up with back-to-back 30-pieces
2. WHAT’S TRENDING – EAST: PRESSURE RISING, PIVOTAL WEEK LOADING
Whereas 4 groups face elimination out West, the East is tightening: two sequence tied at 2-2, the No. 1 seed trailing 2-1 and the Celtics one win from advancing.
- Knicks & Hawks tied 2-2
- Cavs & Raptors tied 2-2
- Celtics lead 76ers 3-1
- Magic lead Pistons 2-1
Now the strain shifts to a pivotal week, with two Sport 5s in Knicks-Hawks and Raptors-Cavs, whereas Detroit fights to keep away from a 3-1 gap and Boston appears to be like to shut the door.
How We Acquired Right here: Sunday noticed key Sport 4 wins from the Raptors and C’s – each winners of two straight – highlighted by a thriller in Toronto.
- Raps Reply: After taking place 2-0, Toronto evened the sequence with back-to-back house wins, capped by a 17-5 closing run to take Sport 4
- Up Subsequent: Cleveland hosts Sport 5 on Wednesday (7:30 ET, ESPN)
- C’s Management: After splitting Video games 1 & 2 in Boston, the Celtics took each in Philly, punctuated by a Sport 4 win behind a franchise Playoff-record 24 triples
- Sport 5 Tuesday: Going through elimination, Philly appears to be like to reply tomorrow evening in Boston – the place it took Sport 2 (7 ET, ESPN)
8-Seed Magic: After splitting the primary two in Detroit, the Magic took Saturday’s Sport 3 at house, turning into simply the third No. 8 seed within the final decade to seize a 2-1 sequence lead over a No. 1 seed.
- Core Clicking: Paolo Banchero led the best way with a close to triple-double (25 pts, 12 reb, 9 ast), whereas Desmond Bane (25 pts) and Franz Wagner (17 pts) mixed for 42
- Sport 4 Tonight: Detroit will look to even the sequence tonight (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), whereas Orlando seeks a 3-1 lead
Hawks-Knicks Thrills: New York’s 1-0 sequence lead flipped right into a 2-1 deficit after back-to-back one-point losses – with Hawks vet CJ McCollum on the middle of each heartbreakers.
However the Knicks answered Saturday behind Karl-Anthony Cities, leveling the sequence at 2-2 to arrange an enormous Sport 5.
- Massive Spot, Massive KAT: Going through a possible 3-1 deficit on the street, Cities went off for a monster triple-double (20 pts, 10 reb, 10 ast), securing a key 114-98 win
- Essential Tuesday Tilt: Now comes a pivotal Sport 5 at MSG (8 ET, NBC/Peacock), the place the 2 groups break up Video games 1 & 2
- Precisely How Pivotal? In a best-of-seven sequence tied 2-2, the winner of Sport 5 has taken the sequence 81.5% of the time (194-44)
3. WEMBY ERUPTS, SPURS STORM BACK TO TAKE 3-1 LEAD
They had been down 17 at halftime. They gained by 21.
How’d the Spurs do it? With a Wembanyama takeover, a historic 2nd-half swing and a reminder that they’re way over a one-man present.
Spurs 114, Blazers 93: After exiting Sport 2 with a concussion, Wemby returned in full force, posting 27 factors, 12 boards, 7 blocks and 4 steals to ignite a 73-point 2nd half, because the Spurs raced previous Deni Avdija (26 pts, 7 reb) and the Blazers to take a 3-1 sequence lead. | Recap
- Wemby 🤝 Shaq: Wembanyama is the primary participant to file 25+ pts, 10+ reb and seven+ blk in a Playoff recreation since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004
- Spurs Epicenter: Since blocks had been first tracked in 1973-74, solely two different Spurs have posted such a stat line within the postseason: Tim Duncan (2003) and David Robinson (1991 & ‘93)
- Dream Dominance: Add 4 steals, and just one participant has matched it since 1973-74: Hakeem Olajuwon (2x)
- And A Reminder: It was Wemby’s first profession street Playoff recreation
Spurs Ball(ing): Down 58-41 on the break, Wemby posted 18 factors and 5 blocks within the 2nd half with out lacking a shot (5-5 FG, 8-8 FT) because the Spurs outscored the Blazers by 38 within the ultimate two quarters.
It’s the primary time {that a} staff has trailed by 15+ factors at halftime of a Playoff recreation after which gained by 20 or extra.
Whereas Wemby lit the fuse, San Antonio’s depth turned the spark into an inferno – showcasing what makes the Spurs so harmful.
- Fox Fireplace: De’Aaron Fox (game-high 28 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast) matched Wemby with 18 factors on 7-of-10 capturing within the 2nd half, because the duo outscored Portland on their very own (36-35)
- Fort Cooking: Stephon Fort (16 pts, 8 ast) – after making history with Dylan Harper to earn a Sport 3 win – orchestrated with 6 dimes within the 2nd half, together with this go-ahead oop to Wemby
- Vassell Voltage: Devin Vassell (11 pts, 6 reb) helped spark the rally with 9 factors within the third, earlier than San Antonio outscored Portland 40-19 within the 4th to ice it
- “I like when others profit from unselfish efforts,” stated Wemby on the win. “That’s the tradition right here – it’s the best way we play.”
- What’s Subsequent: San Antonio returns house Tuesday with an opportunity to shut the sequence in Sport 5 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
4. ROCKETS RESPOND: HOUSTON FORCES GAME 5 WITH HUGE WIN
With their season on the road after dropping a Friday thriller, the Rockets responded with resilience.
Rockets 115, Lakers 96: With Kevin Durant (ankle) out for a second straight recreation, Houston used an entire staff effort to win. All 5 starters scored 16+, whereas the protection clamped down for its first win of the sequence, chopping the Rockets’ deficit to 3-1. | Recap
- Full Tank: Amen Thompson (23 pts, 7 ast), Tari Eason (20 pts, 8 reb, 5 stl) and Alperen Sengun (19 pts, 6 reb) led the best way as Houston’s starters mixed for 95 factors
- Reed Sizzling: Reed Sheppard added 17 on 4 3s, together with a pair of treys to spark a 34-18 third quarter, as Houston entered the 4th up 20 and rolled the remainder of the best way
- “We had been all in,” stated Thompson on the win. “Alpi gave us a motivational speech this morning, and we took that and ran with it. Now, we gotta do it subsequent recreation in L.A.”
Identification Dub: Ten totally different Rockets scored, nevertheless it was their protection that drove them to victory.
Going through elimination on their house ground, Houston turned up the strain from the opening tip – responding with one in all its greatest defensive efforts of the season.
- No Air: The Rockets held the Lakers to simply 5-of-22 (22.7%) from deep, Los Angeles’ fewest made 3s in a recreation since December 2024
- Wreaking Havoc: Houston additionally pressured the Lakers into 23 turnovers, one shy of their season-high, leading to 30 factors the opposite method
- Takeaway Time: That included 17 steals for Houston – its most in a Playoff recreation in 45 years – whereas limiting LeBron James to 10 factors, 9 assists and eight turnovers
- “Our aggressiveness was on show from the beginning,” stated Rockets coach Ime Udoka postgame. “That’s what made the distinction.”
- What’s Subsequent: Houston will look to chop its deficit to 3-2 on Wednesday because the sequence shifts again to L.A. for Sport 5 (10 ET, ESPN)
5. EAST DUBS: RAPTORS EVEN SERIES, CELTICS SEIZE CONTROL
Make that 2-2 between Toronto and Cleveland.
Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89: After Donovan Mitchell (20 pts, 6 reb) sparked a 15-2 Cavs run to take the lead halfway by means of the 4th, the Raps responded with a 17-5 closing burst, with Scottie Barnes (23 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 3 blk) scoring six factors within the ultimate 35 seconds to earn a wild win. | Recap
- Protection Delivers: Mitchell scored 12 within the 4th to spark the Cavs, however Toronto held Cleveland to simply 2-of-10 capturing within the ultimate 4:55 to stymie the run
- Stars End: Barnes, Brandon Ingram (23 pts, 6 reb) and RJ Barrett (18 pts, 8 reb) took over on the opposite finish, scoring 16 of Toronto’s ultimate 17 factors to take the lead for good with 47 ticks left
- Six Grit: That included a string of clutch free throws from Barnes and 4 straight stops within the ultimate two minutes, incomes a series-tying win regardless of trailing for not less than 5 minutes in each quarter
- “We wish it so dangerous,” stated Barnes on the win. “We’re preventing … we’re taking it one possession at a time, and that’s what allowed us to get by means of it.”
- Rook Steps Up: Collin Murray-Boyles (15 pts, 10 reb) got here up clutch on each ends, becoming a member of Barnes and Jamario Moon as the one Raptor rookies to submit a double-double in a Playoff recreation
- Up Subsequent: Cleveland hosts Wednesday’s pivotal Sport 5 (7:30 ET, ESPN), with Toronto aiming to earn the sequence’ first street win
The C’s are one win shy of the East Semis.
Celtics 128, 76ers 96: Jayson Tatum did all of it (30 pts, 7 reb, 11 ast, 5 3s), whereas Payton Pritchard caught fire off the bench (32 pts, 5 ast, 6 3s), because the C’s drilled a franchise Playoff file 24 3s to take a 3-1 sequence lead, overcoming Joel Embiid’s large return (26 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast). | Recap
- Fireplace-Starter: Pritchard poured in 18 factors on 4 3s within the 1st half, sparking a 25-6 run to offer the Celtics an 18-point lead coming into the break
- Door-Slammer: Then Tatum took management, posting 25 factors and seven dimes within the 2nd half as Boston outscored Philly 72-48 to seal the deal – ending the evening 24-of-53 from deep (45.3%)
- Bench Burst: Pritchard’s 32 factors are a Playoff career-high, trailing solely Kevin McHale (34 in 1991) for essentially the most by any Celtic reserve in a postseason recreation
- Buzzer & Banter: The spotlight? A patented Pritchard buzzer-beater to finish the first quarter, plus some friendly jawing with Reggie Miller
- JT Rolling: It’s Tatum’s second straight 25+ level recreation on over 50% capturing, each of which have resulted in wins
- Sport 5 Tuesday: Embiid and Tyrese Maxey (22 pts, 6 ast) led Philly, which can look to reply in tomorrow’s Sport 5 to keep away from elimination (7 ET, ESPN)