Minnesota is the first team qualified for the conference semi-finals of the NBA play-offs thanks to its sweep (over Phoenix completed Sunday (4-0), when Jalen Brunson blazed for the Knicks.
. Intractable Minnesota, Dark Phoenix
The Minnesota Timberwolves finished the job with a fourth victory in four matches against the Phoenix Suns 122-116, to advance through the first round for only the second time in their 35-year history.
The Wolves were carried by Anthony Edwards (40 points), their leaping leader, author of a furious dunk over Kevin Durant at the end of the match, symbol of a passing of the torch between two generations.
The end of the season is brutal for the Suns with an uncertain future, after the total failure of their offensive trident Kevin Durant, Devin Booker (49 points Sunday) and Bradley Beal, in distress in this last match.
Minnesota has a good chance of finding champion Denver in the next round, which leads 3-1 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The only downside for the Wolves was that coach Chris Finch was injured after a collision on the sidelines with his own player Mike Conley.
. The Clippers come close to disaster
The Los Angeles Clippers, who let a 31-point lead melt away, were almost humiliated by the greatest comeback in the history of the play-offs, before winning in a hot end to the match against Dallas (116- 111), to equalize at 2-2 and regain home advantage.
Kyrie Irving, author of 40 points, gave Dallas the advantage 2:30 from the end with an unreal layup in the middle of three defenders, in a melting room that believed in a miracle.
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (c.) drives to the basket in front of Dallas Mavericks Slovenian point guard Luka Doncic (l.) during Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs , in Dallas, April 28, 2024 / Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
But Paul George (33 points, including 26 in the first half), invisible since the break, responded with a long shot in a very difficult position, before James Harden finished off the “Mavs” thanks to floaters.
The two stars scored 33 points each in the absence of Kawhi Leonard, hampered by knee inflammation.
“We knew they would make a +run+ (to come back). We never imagined coming into this room to beat them by 31 points. I asked my team simply to go for the victory, no matter the manner,” commented Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
. Brunson shows off the muscles for the Knicks
The New York Knicks won another crazy game against their East Coast rivals Philadelphia (97-92) to lead 3-1 and move closer to the conference semi-finals.
In a high-intensity meeting, Knicks All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson confirmed his rise in power with 47 points (and 10 assists), his franchise record in a final phase game, better than the 46 points of Bernard King in 1984.
Untenable and very skillful at mid-distance, despite a knee alert at the end of the 3rd quarter, Brunson hurt the 76ers who were nevertheless returning blow for blow to New York, in a Philadelphia room infiltrated by numerous supporters of the popular Knicks.
New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 4 of the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs in Philadelphia on April 28, 2024 / Tim Nwachukwu / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
“In 10 years I have never seen this. It bothers me, Philadelphia is considered a sports city. It should not happen, it is not normal”, regretted Joel Embiid, heckled in his own enclosure .
The 2023 MVP plunged in the last quarter (only 1 point out of 27 in total) and found himself with the 76ers in a delicate position, he who did everything to return in time for the final stages after an operation knee in February.
. Indiana is a hit at home
The Indiana Pacers have taken another step towards a first victorious series in the play-offs since 2014 thanks to their success over the Milwaukee Bucks (126-113) which allows them to lead 3-1.
Carried by their usual very aggressive attacking game, the Pacers stacked 22 three-point baskets, including 7 by their pivot Myles Turner (29 points, 9 rebounds), for a rare efficiency of 51% behind the arc (22 on 43).
Brook Lopez (27 points) and Khris Middleton (25 points) could not forget the absences of Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, still recovering from a calf injury, and leader Damian Lillard, injured in the left Achilles tendon. during the previous match.
Results of Sunday’s meetings:
EAST CONFERENCE
New York (N.2) beats Philadelphia (N.7) 97-92 and leads 3-1. Game 5 Tuesday in New York
Indiana (N.6) beats Milwaukee (N.3) 126-113 and leads 3-1. Game 5 Tuesday in Indianapolis
CONFERENCE OUEST
The Los Angeles Clippers (N.4) beat Dallas (N.5) 116-111 and tie at 2-2. Game 5 Wednesday in Los Angeles
Minnesota (N.3) beats Phoenix (N.6) 122-116 and wins the series 4-0
