Despite a strong performance from both James and Davis, the Denver Nuggets dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in their Western Conference playoff opener, winning 114-103. Jokic led the way for the Nuggets with 32 points and 12 rebounds, while two other players also posted double-doubles. This game also marked a tough week for the Porter family, with one brother sentenced to jail and another banned from the NBA for gambling. In other playoff action, the Minnesota Timberwolves started off strong with a 120-95 win over the Phoenix Suns, led by Anthony Edwards' 33 points.
Lakers Fall to Nuggets in Western Conference Playoff Opener
The Denver Nuggets dealt the Los Angeles Lakers a 114-103 defeat in the opening game of their Western Conference playoff series on Saturday.
Despite strong performances from LeBron James (22 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists) and Anthony Davis (30 points, 23 rebounds), the Lakers were unable to match the Nuggets' depth and efficiency. Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver with 32 points and 12 rebounds, while Aaron Gordon and DeAndre Jordan also posted double-doubles.
The Nuggets' victory marked a disappointing start to the Lakers' playoff journey, as they looked to defend their championship title. It also came amid a difficult week for the Porter family, with Michael Porter Jr. being sentenced to jail for his role in a fatal car accident and his brother, Kevin Porter Jr., being banned from the NBA for gambling.
Minnesota Timberwolves Triumph Over Phoenix Suns
In other playoff action, the Minnesota Timberwolves kicked off their series against the Phoenix Suns with a resounding 120-95 victory. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 33 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 points and 12 rebounds.
The Suns, who had the NBA's best record during the regular season, struggled to find their rhythm against the Timberwolves' aggressive defense. Devin Booker, the Suns' leading scorer, was held to just 21 points on 8-of-22 shooting.
Top 5 FAQs Related to the Lakers and Nuggets Playoff Series
The Lakers struggled to match the Nuggets' depth and physicality. Denver's reserves outscored the Lakers' bench by a wide margin, and the Nuggets' big men dominated the paint.
The Lakers will need to adjust their strategy and find a way to slow down the Nuggets' offense. They will also need to improve their bench production.
Nikola Jokic is the clear MVP of the Nuggets. He is a versatile big man who can score, rebound, and pass with equal effectiveness.
The Lakers' playoff hopes will depend on their ability to bounce back from this loss and make adjustments. They will need to play with more intensity and focus if they want to advance in the playoffs.
The Denver Nuggets are the current favorites to win the NBA championship. They have the depth, experience, and star power to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.