MIN • Guard • #5
Edwards didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, but he recorded solid numbers in the rebound and assist categories. The lone concern was his exit from Game 1 during the third quarter with an apparent calf injury. Edwards did return early in the fourth with a sleeve on his right leg, and he said during the postgame interview that the calf is getting better “day-by-day.” The good news for him and the Timberwolves is that Game 2 isn’t until Tuesday, so he’ll have a few days to rest up.
about 21 hours ago
April 20, 2025 3:10 AM
MIN • Forward-Center • #30
about 21 hours ago
While Randle shot the ball well and recorded a decent stat line, he was also responsible for seven of the Timberwolves’ 10 turnovers in Game 1. That’s an area he’ll need to clean up moving forward, and he’s certainly capable of doing that. Randle’s high during the regular season was eight, which he recorded in a December 23 loss to the Hawks. The Timberwolves’ forward only had eight games with at least five turnovers, so Saturday’s performance can be considered an outlier. Minnesota will look to extend its series lead in Game 2 on Tuesday.
MIN • Center-Forward • #11
about 21 hours ago
Reid took a Jarred Vanderbilt elbow to the mouth during the second half of Saturday’s series opener, and that was all that slowed him down. The Timberwolves’ backup big scored 17 in the first half and finished the game one steal shy of a complete stat line. Since scoring 20 points in a March 24 loss to the Pacers, Reid surpassed 15 points once in his final eight appearances of the regular season. The Lakers employed a “boxes and elbows” defensive strategy to prevent Anthony Edwards from entering the lane, which allowed players like Reid to receive cleaner looks. His play (and that of Jaden McDaniels) could force the Lakers to alter their approach for Tuesday’s Game 2.
MIN • Forward • #3
about 21 hours ago
McDaniels’ aggressiveness on the offensive end was one of the key factors in Minnesota’s Game 1 victory. He didn’t hesitate to make plays on that end of the floor, and the result was a highly efficient outing in Los Angeles. McDaniels scored 20 points or more 12 times during the regular season, most recently doing so in a March 16 win over the Jazz. Nights like Saturday have not been the norm for Jaden, so it would be unsurprising if his production took a hit in Game 2 on Tuesday. However, his performance in Game 1 has given the Lakers something to think about when they draw up their defensive game plan for Tuesday.
BOS • Guard • #11
about 1 hour ago
Pritchard has been the favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year honors for most of this season, and he showed why on Sunday. With some of Boston’s stars having slow days at the office, Pritchard provided excellent offensive value off the bench. Add in Derrick White’s 30 points and Jrue Holiday (9/3/5/3 with three three-pointers) hitting three timely third-quarter threes while playing stifling defense, and the Celtics were able to take care of business in Game 1. Pritchard’s ability to provide scoring in quick bursts will be important in this series, especially if the Magic can slow down star wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Source: Bobby Manning
BOS • Guard • #9
about 1 hour ago
White was one of the Celtics who stepped up to lead the reigning champions to a win in Sunday’s series opener. With Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis (5/6/2/4/1 in 26 minutes) combining to score 38 points on 15-of-44 shooting, White came up huge, making at least two shots in all four quarters. He had one 30-point game during last season’s run to the title, Boston’s Game 4 win over the Heat in the first round of the playoffs. Given the strength of Orlando’s wing defenders, this may be a series in which the Celtics’ guards are difference-makers, as was the case in Game 1. Game 2 is on Wednesday night.
OKC • Guard • #2
about 4 hours ago
Gilgeous-Alexander was the only Thunder player to show any signs of rust in Sunday’s playoff opener, as the team with the NBA’s best record rolled to a 51-point victory. SGA shot 1-of-7 from three and only scored 15 points, but it didn’t matter with five other Thunder players scoring in double figures. Among the others was Aaron Wiggins, who hit four three-pointers and tallied 21 points, four rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes off the bench. Oklahoma City’s depth was a difference-maker throughout the regular season, and that was also the case in Game 1. The Thunder host Game 2 on Tuesday.
