MIN • Guard • #4
Dillingham will remain sidelined for a second straight game, but his continued absence won’t have much of an impact on the Minnesota rotation. His role has been a minimal one since February. Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker will continue to fill out most of the reserve guard minutes.
about 6 hours ago
April 22, 2025 12:43 AM
MIN • Forward-Center • #30
2 days 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
2 days 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 • Guard • #5
2 days ago
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.
DEN • Guard • #27
about 2 hours ago
Murray struggled with his shot in Game 1 but was able to improve his shooting efficiency in Game 2. However, that wasn’t enough to help Denver defend their homecourt. Murray was able to make a strong impact and hit a triple to tie the game at 100 with 2:07 left in the fourth. However, that ended up being his final shot attempt of the night. The Nuggets ceded homecourt advantage by losing this game, and they’ll need to win one of the next two games to get it back. Game 3 will be in Los Angeles on Thursday.
LAC • Guard • #1
about 2 hours ago
After dropping 32 points in Game 1, Harden didn’t replicate that scoring in Game 2. That can mostly be attributed to Kawhi Leonard taking over this game, which led to fewer shots from Harden. The series shifts to Los Angeles, and Thursday will be the first playoff game in the Intuit Dome. Harden had 35 points and 10 assists against the Rockets in the Clippers’ last home game. Unless Kawhi goes nuclear again, expect Harden to be more involved on offense in Game 3.
NYK • Guard • #11
about 4 hours ago
For the second game in a row, Brunson briefly exited late in the game but was able to return. Head coach Tom Thibodeau said after Game 1 that Brunson went to get his cape. Well, he must’ve forgotten to grab it while he was back there on Monday. Brunson was still excellent in this game, but it wasn’t enough for New York to take care of business at home and head to Detroit with a 2-0 lead in the series. Brunson has now scored 34 and 37 points through the first two games, and he’ll continue to be an offensive juggernaut for the Knicks for the remainder of this series.
