NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves Stun Lakers, Rockets Stay Alive, and Clippers Force Game 7
May 2, 2025, 12:46 AM ET
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 Wednesday night, the No. 6-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers in a Game 5 victory. Earlier in the evening, the No. 2 Houston Rockets kept their playoff hopes alive by blowing out the No. 7 Golden State Warriors at home. The winner of the Rockets-Warriors series will face the Timberwolves in the next round.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the No. 5 LA Clippers forced a Game 7 against the No. 4 Denver Nuggets in front of their home crowd, thanks to a stellar 28-point performance from James Harden. The two teams will face off on Saturday to determine who advances to play the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
As the Western Conference playoffs continue to unfold, here’s what you need to know and what to watch for in all four series:
For more coverage, check out the East first-round takeaways and the schedules and results. If you’re already looking ahead to the offseason, don’t miss our offseason guides.
(4) Denver Nuggets tied with (5) LA Clippers 3-3
Game 6: Clippers 111, Nuggets 105
What we learned:
Everything changes for the Clippers when James Harden has the space to operate or, as he likes to say, be “the system.” Harden faced criticism after a lackluster 11-point performance on nine shots in Tuesday’s Game 6 loss. His past playoff struggles made him an easy target for national discussions. However, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue took responsibility for Harden’s struggles, acknowledging that he needed to create more space for Harden to thrive. In Game 6, Lue made sure Harden had the ball early and often, and he doubled down in the second half by swapping Nicolas Batum into the starting lineup for Kris Dunn. This adjustment prevented the Nuggets from double-teaming or blitzing Harden’s drives, resulting in a more efficient offense for LA, which shot an impressive 51% on Thursday night. With Batum on the court in the second half, the Clippers were even more effective, going 6-for-6 off passes from Batum.
Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch:
The big question is how the Nuggets will counter the Clippers’ move of swapping in Batum for Dunn. LA essentially traded offense for defense, and it paid off, with Batum and the rest of the Clippers effectively hindering Jamal Murray. The Nuggets will need to make adjustments before Game 7 to get Murray back on track. He’s too quick for Batum if he has space. Additionally, the Nuggets will need to address their 14 turnovers, which led to 23 points for LA. Despite outrebounding, scoring more points in the paint, and getting more bench points than LA, Denver lost the game due to sloppy plays, missed layups, and an inability to capitalize on the Batum-Murray matchup.
— Ramona Shelburne
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves win series over (3) Los Angeles Lakers 4-1
Game 5: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96
What we learned:
Lakers coach JJ Redick made the bold decision not to start a center, and Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves took full advantage, dominating the interior to clinch the series in five games.
After contributing 14 points and 25 rebounds in the first four games, Gobert exploded for 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting and 24 rebounds in the series-clinching game. He became the fifth player in the past 20 seasons to post a 25-20 line in a closeout game, joining the ranks of Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Lakers fought hard, holding Minnesota’s shooters to a dismal 7-for-47 (14.9%) from beyond the arc, including 0-for-11 for Anthony Edwards. This marked the worst 3-point shooting percentage in a playoff game in NBA history (minimum 40 attempts).
Luka Doncic (back) and LeBron James (left knee) both logged 40 minutes to keep the Lakers in the game, but the Wolves’ bench outscored L.A. 22-4, and their dominance in the points-in-the-paint battle (56-40) proved insurmountable.
Minnesota, which has won 21 of its past 26 games dating back to the last quarter of the regular season, will be a formidable challenge for either Golden State or Houston. As for the Lakers, it’s clear they need a reliable big man that Redick can trust in playoff situations as they head into the offseason.
— Dave McMenamin
(7) Golden State Warriors lead the (2) Houston Rockets 3-2
Game 5: Rockets 131, Warriors 116
What we learned:
The Rockets played with the urgency of a team facing elimination, while the Warriors seemed to play as if they had a comfortable lead in the series.
The game was effectively over by the seven-minute mark in the second quarter when Houston led 54-24. The Rockets’ defense was relentless, with Amen Thompson recording five steals in the first half alone. By the 5:50 mark of the third quarter, Warriors coach Steve Kerr had already turned to his reserves, including Pat Spencer, Moses Moody, Kevin Knox II, Gui Santos, and Quinten Post, with the team trailing 93-64.
This game had shades of the Warriors’ 2022 title run when they led 3-1 in the second round against a young Memphis Grizzlies team before being blown out in Game 5. However, those veteran Warriors were not rattled and closed out the series in Game 6 at home.
Golden State will need to repeat history or face a do-or-die Game 7 in Houston. The Rockets have newfound confidence but will need to find a way to win at Chase Center while overcoming the championship pedigree of Kerr, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green, as well as Jimmy Butler III‘s knack for stepping up in big playoff moments.
One silver lining for Golden State was that Curry, Green, and Butler played no more than 25 minutes. The team’s reserves fought hard until the end, with Spencer being ejected for head-butting Alperen Sengun, who was shoved by Trayce Jackson-Davis, late in the game as the Warriors cut the deficit to within 13 points.
— Ohm Youngmisuk
Game 6: Houston at Golden State (Friday, TBD)
What to watch for:
Houston’s three losses in this series have been close games, while their victories have been decisive blowouts. The Rockets’ dominant performance in Game 5 has given them a confidence boost heading into Friday’s Game 6 at Chase Center. Houston knows it has advantages in youth, physicality, and athleticism, and they can leverage these by playing with focus, consistency, and attention to detail, along with their trademark tenacity on defense.
Golden State’s performance against the Rockets was reminiscent of their Game 5 blowout loss to Memphis in the 2022 conference semifinals. The Warriors eventually won the championship that season. However, this time, they’re facing a hungry Rockets team that has grown in confidence with each game, even in defeat.
— Michael C. Wright
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder win series over (8) Memphis Grizzlies 4-0
Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115
What we learned:
The overall top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder made quick work of the Memphis Grizzlies, sweeping them in four games. 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 delivered his first efficient scoring performance of the series in the finale, finishing with 38 points on 13-of-24 shooting. With Ja Morant sidelined, the Grizzlies couldn’t handle the Thunder’s relentless defensive pressure, committing 22 turnovers that Oklahoma City converted into 32 points. Now, the Thunder will get some much-needed rest as they await the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series.
— Tim MacMahon
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
