NBA Playoffs 2024-25: Western Conference Drama Unfolds
The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are heating up, and if you’re a basketball fan, you’re in for a treat. Our NBA insiders are here to guide you through every thrilling moment as teams battle it out for a spot in the Finals. Let’s dive into the latest action from the Western Conference, where the stakes are high and the drama is palpable.
On Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the No. 1 seed, became the first team to advance to the second round. They achieved this feat by defeating the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets, holding the No. 4 seed, managed to even their series with the No. 5 seed LA Clippers after an exhilarating Game 4. This game ended with a game-winning buzzer-beater from Aaron Gordon. The Golden State Warriors, the No. 7 seed, are gearing up to win their first home game against the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets. However, they’ll have to do it without Jimmy Butler III, who was ruled out of Saturday’s matchup after a hard fall in Game 2.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers, the No. 3 seed, faced a setback as they lost Game 3 on the road to the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves. However, they have another opportunity to tie the series at home on Sunday.
As the Western Conference playoffs continue, here’s what you need to know and what to keep an eye on in all four series:
For more coverage, check out the East first-round takeaways and the schedules and results. Plus, don’t miss the offseason guides for all 30 teams.
Saturday’s Game Highlights
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Oklahoma City Thunder, the overall top seed, made quick work of the Memphis Grizzlies, sweeping them 4-0. The Grizzlies haven’t won a playoff series since 2022 and struggled against Western Conference teams with winning records after January. Likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his first efficient scoring performance of the series in the finale, finishing with 38 points on 13-of-24 shooting. With Ja Morant out, the Grizzlies couldn’t handle the Thunder’s tenacious defensive pressure, committing 22 turnovers that Oklahoma City converted into 32 points. Now, the Thunder will get some rest and await the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series.
— Tim MacMahon
Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers
The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers are tied 2-2 after a thrilling Game 4. Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ star, delivered a 36-point, 21-rebound masterpiece to carry his team to victory. The Nuggets found their championship mettle in this game, but nearly threw it away in the fourth quarter, blowing the biggest lead in playoff franchise history. Denver escaped as Aaron Gordon miraculously caught an airball from Jokic and dunked it at the buzzer for the win. Wow.
Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets (Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch: The Clippers weren’t known as a great 3-point shooting team this season. So when they shot lights out in Game 3 (18-of-39), their overconfidence from behind the arc sank them on Saturday in Game 4. LA hit just 10-of-30 from behind the arc and 33% overall. Some of that was because Denver played much better defense, aggressively double-teaming Kawhi Leonard and James Harden and forcing other players to beat them. In this game, the Clippers’ supporting cast couldn’t step up and Denver evened the series with two days off to heal up before Game 5 at home.
— Ramona Shelburne
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are tied 1-1. All eyes will be on Jimmy Butler III and his status for Game 3. Butler took a scary fall when he grabbed a defensive rebound and crashed to the floor after Amen Thompson collided with him. Butler landed hard on his tailbone and left with 1:51 to go in the first quarter. The team ruled him out for the rest of the game because of a pelvis contusion in the second quarter, and he will undergo an MRI on Thursday. Butler has two days off before Saturday’s Game 3 at Chase Center, but if he has to sit out any time, that would be a crushing blow for the Warriors, who entered Game 2 with a 25-8 record in the regular season, play-in, and postseason since Butler made his Warriors’ debut on Feb. 8. Butler not only has rejuvenated Stephen Curry, but he has also been the driving force behind Golden State’s turnaround.
He has provided the team with a star on both ends of the court, a calming presence, and a go-to guy during the crucial non-Curry minutes. The Warriors had the top-ranked defense since the Butler trade, and he was in “Playoff Jimmy” form. Butler’s injury could change the complexion of the series. With Butler out in Game 2, Jonathan Kuminga made his series debut after being out of the rotation, and he might play an even bigger role depending on Butler’s status. Kuminga has had success against the Rockets, scoring 33 points against Houston on Dec. 5.
— Ohm Youngmisuk
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Minnesota Timberwolves lead the Los Angeles Lakers 2-1. This was a close game until Minnesota finished with a 13-1 run. But when you look at how the Wolves dominated points in the paint 56-26, only had 11 turnovers to the Lakers’ 19, and nearly doubled on fast-break points (21-11), it’s a wonder that L.A. didn’t lose by more. With Luka Doncic struggling and dealing with stomach flu (17 points on 6-for-16 shooting, eight assists, seven rebounds, and five turnovers), LeBron James carried the Lakers. He set an NBA playoff record for the most points by a player 40 or older, finishing with 38 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough. Minnesota got another brilliant effort from Jaden McDaniels (30 points, five rebounds, two steals), and Anthony Edwards made seemingly every play the Wolves needed in the fourth. He had 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
What to watch: The series schedule included three days between Games 1 and 2 and three days between Games 2 and 3, but Game 4 is a quick turnaround — a 2:30 p.m. local tip Sunday. L.A.’s energy should be fueled by the urgency of wanting to avoid a 3-1 deficit, but it does make you wonder what James, Doncic, and Austin Reaves will have in the tank after they all played 40-plus minutes Friday.
— Dave McMenamin
Originally Written by: NBA Insiders
