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.
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.
On Monday, Mumbai Indians' medium-pacer Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old from Punjab's Jhanjeri, became the first Indian ever to take four wickets on his Indian Premier League debut, helping his team to an easy win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite appearing at trials for multiple IPL franchises, Ashwani's humble village background and love for classic Punjabi food kept him grounded and motivated for his record-breaking performance. Coach Varinder Singh worked with Ashwani to develop his skills, and his proud mother, Meena Kumari, shared his love for besan ka chilla and aloo parathas with the media after the match.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
After leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has announced his next big goal - winning the ODI World Cup in 2027. Amid speculation about his potential retirement, Kohli made it clear that he is not looking to slow down anytime soon. Meanwhile, other Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, are set to retain their A+ grade contracts.
Pakistan's struggles continued in the second ODI against New Zealand as they lost seven wickets while chasing a target of 293. Star batter Babar Azam, who failed to perform in the first ODI, could only manage 1 run before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy. With fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing frustration over his ongoing struggles with the bat, the pressure is on Babar to deliver in the upcoming matches of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite his form difficulties, many still believe that Babar's class is permanent and a big innings is just around the corner.
In a high-scoring and intense game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets, 140-139, in double overtime. Despite a career-high 61 points from Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves were able to rally and secure the win with two clutch free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The win also marks the Timberwolves' fourth consecutive victory over the Nuggets this season.
Nishant Dev, a young boxer from India, has recently turned professional after being inspired by legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 23-year-old made his debut in the professional boxing world after falling in love with the sport while watching YouTube videos. Despite his loss in the Paris Olympics, Nishant's decision to go pro was not influenced by that defeat and he continues to train hard under the guidance of former American boxer Ronald Simms.
KKR all rounder Ramandeep Singh gives glowing praise to Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar for his four-wicket haul in Mumbai's victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 12 of the IPL 2025. Ashwani becomes the first player to achieve this feat on his IPL debut.
The Mumbai Indians started their IPL campaign with an 8-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders, with 23-year-old pacer Ashwani Kumar stealing the spotlight with his impressive performance. MI skipper Hardik Pandya praised the team's scouting efforts for discovering Kumar's talent, and highlighted his crucial wickets of Andre Russell and Quinton de Kock as the game-changers for the team. Fans can catch all the latest updates from IPL 2025 on News24, and follow them on social media for breaking news and updates.