Western Conference Playoffs: Thunder Advance, Warriors and Timberwolves Take Commanding Leads
The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are heating up, and if you’re a fan of thrilling basketball action, you’re in for a treat. Our NBA insiders are here to guide you through every twist and turn as teams battle it out for a spot in the Finals. Let’s dive into the latest developments in the Western Conference playoffs.
On Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the No. 1 seed, became the first team to punch their ticket to the second round. They achieved this 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 a nail-biting Game 4. The game ended with a spectacular game-winning buzzer-beater from Aaron Gordon. As for the Los Angeles Lakers, the No. 3 seed, they find themselves in a precarious position, trailing 3-1 in their series against the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers will have a chance to regroup and fight back in Game 5, which will take place in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
In another exciting matchup, the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors took a commanding 3-1 lead over the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets on Monday. The Warriors have been showing their championship pedigree, and the Rockets are feeling the pressure.
As the Western Conference playoffs continue, here’s a breakdown of what matters most and what to watch for in all four series:
For more coverage, check out the East first-round takeaways and stay updated with the schedules and results. If you’re curious about the offseason, explore the offseason guides.
Monday’s Game: Warriors vs. Rockets
The Golden State Warriors, currently leading the series 3-1 against the Houston Rockets, secured a crucial victory in Game 4 with a score of 109-106. Houston entered the series with a reputation for suffocating defense and physicality, but it was Golden State that showcased these traits. Jimmy Butler III and Brandin Podziemski had standout performances, scoring 27 and 26 points, respectively. The Warriors’ strategy of blitzing and trapping Jalen Green has been effective, and the Rockets needed more from Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Amen Thompson. The trio delivered with a combined 73 points, but missed free throws proved costly for Houston. The Rockets missed 12 of their 31 free throws, the most by any team this postseason. Golden State established dominance early, taking a 13-2 lead in the first 3:45 of the game, capitalizing on Houston’s turnovers.
Draymond Green, a key player for the Warriors, praised Jimmy Butler’s impact, stating, “Playoff Jimmy saved our season.” The Warriors will look to close out the series in Game 5, which will take place in Houston on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted on TNT. The Warriors are eager to secure a win and potentially gain some valuable rest days, depending on the outcome of the Lakers-Timberwolves series.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves have taken a commanding 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers after a thrilling Game 4 victory, with a final score of 116-113. Minnesota outscored the Lakers 32-19 in the fourth quarter, showcasing their resilience. Anthony Edwards was the star of the game, scoring 24 of his 43 points after halftime. Despite a strong performance from LeBron James, who contributed 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, the Lakers couldn’t close out the game. Luka Doncic, recovering from a stomach bug, scored 38 points but had four turnovers. The Lakers will need to regroup and find their fighting spirit as they head into Game 5, which will take place in Los Angeles on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, broadcasted on TNT.
Thunder vs. Grizzlies
The Oklahoma City Thunder have swept the Memphis Grizzlies, winning the series 4-0. In Game 4, the Thunder secured a 117-115 victory, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 38 points. The Grizzlies struggled without Ja Morant and couldn’t handle the Thunder’s defensive pressure, committing 22 turnovers. The Thunder will now await the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series.
Nuggets vs. Clippers
The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers are tied 2-2 in their series. In Game 4, the Nuggets secured a 101-99 victory, thanks to a miraculous putback slam by Aaron Gordon at the buzzer. Nikola Jokic delivered a stellar performance with 36 points and 21 rebounds. The Clippers struggled with their 3-point shooting, hitting just 10-of-30 from behind the arc. Game 5 will take place in Denver on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, broadcasted on TNT.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
