Kawhi Leonard, the two-time NBA Finals MVP, is set to return to the court for the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. Leonard has been sidelined since March 31 due to knee inflammation, but he has been cleared to play after missing the Clippers’ Game 1 victory over the Mavericks.
Joel Embiid, the star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, made a disturbing gesture during the second game of their first round NBA Playoff series against the New York Knicks. The incident occurred when Embiid was at the free throw line. The 76ers ultimately lost the game 104-101, putting them in a 2-0 deficit in the series. Philadelphia will hope to bounce back in Game 3, which will be played at their home arena, the Wells Fargo Center Sports Pavilion, on Thursday, April 25.
The Los Angeles Clippers host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, April 23rd, in game 2 of the Western Conference first round. The Clippers currently lead the series 1-0 after a 109-97 victory in game 1. The game will be broadcast on TNT at 10 p.m. EST and can be streamed for free with a trial of DirecTV Stream or with SlingTV. The battle between the Clippers and Mavericks is expected to be a close one, with both teams performing well against Western Conference opponents this season.
Sling TV is providing a fantastic NBA Playoff deal for new subscribers, allowing them to watch every game for as little as $15 per month. This offer is available for all tiers of the streaming service and includes access to channels like ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, where the games will be broadcasted. With Sling TV’s cloud DVR and mobile app, you can record and watch your favorite teams play live or on the go. Don’t miss out on this limited-time opportunity to catch all the action of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
In a complete and dominant performance, the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 120-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the opening game of their first-round playoff series. Anthony Edwards led the way for Minnesota with 33 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals. The Timberwolves’ depth was also on display, with five players scoring in double figures. The Suns, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace with the Timberwolves’ offense and will need more production from their supporting cast in order to even the series.
In a highly contested Game 2, the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report revealed several missed calls that had a significant impact on the outcome. The league acknowledged that Maxey was fouled multiple times, including a clear jersey grab before the inbound pass and a collision that sent him to the ground. Additionally, 76ers coach Nick Nurse’s timeout call was ignored by the referees, potentially altering the course of the game. Despite the report acknowledging these oversights, the NBA clarified that they do not warrant a game protest or replay due to the nature of human error.
The Milwaukee Bucks will host the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round of the NBA Playoffs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks currently lead the series 1-0 after defeating the Pacers 109-94 in the first game. The game will be televised on NBA TV and can also be streamed live on Sling TV (50% off the first month) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
The NBA has endorsed the officiating decisions made by officials during the final two minutes of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 101-99 playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. The Lakers, who led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, lodged complaints after the game, including a buzzer-beating shot by Denver’s Jamal Murray and a foul called on LeBron James late in the game. The NBA’s two-minute report, which evaluates officiating decisions made late in games, identified only one error: Nikola Jokic should have been called for a defensive three-second violation with 1:53 remaining in the game. The report also confirmed that the foul called on James was correct, as he extended his forearm and initiated contact with Murray. The Lakers also protested a non-shooting foul called on Michael Porter Jr. late in the third quarter, which was overturned after a challenge by Nuggets coach Michael Malone. LeBron James expressed frustration with the replay center that reviews contested calls, questioning its effectiveness. Lakers coach Darvin Ham acknowledged the tough calls and non-calls, emphasizing the inconsistency in officiating during the season and playoffs.
Despite Joel Embiid’s strong performance and declaration of victory, the Philadelphia 76ers succumbed to a 104-101 loss against the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their playoff series, leaving them trailing 0-2. Embiid criticized the officiating, but acknowledged the Knicks’ relentless determination. The Sixers must now rally in Game 3 at their home court, facing an uphill battle against a formidable opponent with a deep bench and unwavering spirit.
Five years ago today, Damian Lillard hit an iconic shot to break a 115-115 tie in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series between the Portland Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The shot sent Oklahoma City home and propelled the Blazers into the second round of the NBA playoffs. Lillard scored 50 points that night to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. He shot 17 of 33 from the field and hit 10 of 18 threes. The Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 4-3 in the second round before falling 4-0 to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
