The Denver Nuggets extended their winning streak over the Los Angeles Lakers to nine games with a victory in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series on Saturday. The Nuggets now have a chance to tie their longest-ever winning streak against a single opponent, which is 12 games. The Lakers, meanwhile, are determined to avoid a sweep and tie the series in Game 2 on Tuesday.
In their first home playoff game since 2019, the Oklahoma City Thunder made a statement in their 94-92 Game 1 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Led by rookie sensation Chet Holmgren’s historic performance, the Thunder proved that they are more than just a feel-good story.
Despite persistent rumors and internal friction, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is expected to retain his position following a first-round playoff loss to the Nuggets. Insiders report that owner Jeanie Buss supports Ham, while assistant coach Phil Handy enjoys some players’ trust over Ham, including LeBron James and Rui Hachimura. LeBron’s future with the Lakers remains uncertain as he approaches free agency, but Ham’s job security appears intact for now.
Golden Knights captain Mark Stone will make his return to the lineup in Game 1 of the first round playoff series against the Dallas Stars on Monday. Stone has been out for the past two months with a Grade 3 lacerated spleen. He will join the second line with center Tomas Hertl and left wing Chandler Stephenson. Coach Bruce Cassidy also announced that goaltender Logan Thompson will start against the Stars, marking his playoff debut.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey is listed as questionable for Game 2 against the New York Knicks due to an illness. Embiid is also listed as questionable due to left knee injury recovery. The Sixers hope to even the best-of-7 series at a game apiece Monday night before the series shifts back to Philadelphia for Games 3 and 4.
The knockout rounds of ‘The Voice’ have concluded, and the playoffs commence tonight, April 22, 2024, on NBC at 8 p.m. Each coach must now select only three artists to advance to the live shows. To assist them, John Legend has enlisted Latin superstar Maluma as his mentor, while Dan + Shay have chosen hip-hop star Saweetie. The live performance shows will feature audience voting, and the lowest-voted artists will perform for the Instant Save. Ultimately, one artist will emerge victorious and receive a recording contract.
Vancouver Canucks made a triumphant return to the playoffs on Sunday, beating the Nashville Predators 4-2 in a thrilling Game 1. The team’s rally in the third period, including two goals in just 12 seconds, ignited the crowd at Rogers Arena. Fans poured into the streets of Vancouver and Surrey to celebrate the victory, filling the air with cheers and honking horns. The City of Delta hosted a family-friendly watch party, while TransLink announced that Canucks announcer Al Murdoch will take over SkyTrain announcements during playoff games.
Damian Lillard’s impressive first half with 35 points was overshadowed by a disappointing second half, leading to a missed over 35.5 points wager. Despite his early outburst, Lillard finished with only 3 assists, 1 rebound, and 2 turnovers. The under 7.5 assists prop was heavily bet on, while Lillard’s six first-half 3-pointers burned bettors on the under 3.5 prop. In Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence, the Bucks will rely heavily on Lillard’s first-half energy to pull off the upset against the Pacers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to move on from mistakes was crucial in the Thunder’s 94-92 win over the Pelicans in Game 1. Despite a rough shooting night, Gilgeous-Alexander hit the go-ahead jumper with 1:36 remaining and the game-winning three-point play with 32.1 seconds left. His clutch performance shows that the Thunder can rely on him in big moments, even with their lack of playoff experience.
The Colorado Avalanche’s goaltending concerns have emerged once again after their starting goalie, Alexandar Georgiev, allowed seven goals on 23 shots in a 7-6 loss to the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1 of their playoff series. Georgiev’s performance, coupled with his below-average regular season numbers, has raised questions about his ability to lead the Avalanche to a championship.
