The Minnesota Timberwolves Steal Game 1 vs. the Spurs | HOOPS, 5/5/26
Anthony Edwards returns to action just 10 days after hyperextending his knee, New York rolls through their Game 1 matchup vs. the 76ers, and more.
The Tip-Off: A Crazy Knicks’ Stat to Start Your Day
The New York Knicks have leveled up over the last week, closing out the Hawks in dominant fashion and starting round two vs. the 76ers similarly hot.
In fact, they are currently shooting 40.2% from three for this post-season, which is actually better than the Magic’s two-point shooting percentage from their entire post-season (39.7%).
I don’t know if that says more about the Knicks or the Magic but I couldn’t believe it.
Recapping Monday’s Game 1s
Note to NBA: PLEASE STOP OVERLAPPING START TIMES. THERE WERE TWO GAMES, THERE’S NO REASON FOR THEM TO START THE SECOND GAME WHILE THE FIRST IS STILL GOING.
76ers - 98 at Knicks - 137 (Knicks lead 1-0)
Any questions about the Knicks and if they could keep their momentum going were answered early and often in this huge Game 1 blowout of the 76ers. Jalen Brunson (35pts/3a) scored 27 first-half points, including 11 straight to send the Knicks into halftime up 74-51.
Maybe more important to Knicks fans, Mikal Bridges (17pts/5a) continued to look more like himself, putting together another strong two-way performance after a slow start to his playoffs in round one.
As impressive as the Knicks’ offense was, their defense harrassed the 76ers all game, a lot more impactful than I’d expected honestly. Tyrese Maxey (13pts/2a/4TOs) was just 3-9 from the field after dominating Boston in round one and Joel Embiid (14pts/4r) was held to just 3-11 in 25 minutes as the starters had their nights ended early with the Knicks putting the game out of reach by halftime.
Now, the optimistic 76ers fans will say that this was kinda to be expected after the team just played a highly emotional Game 7 on the road two days earlier but the way New York disrupted everything Philly wanted to do while executing to perfection on their end has to be concerning regardless. Maybe Game Two will be a different story but with how this game went, it’s going to need to be a MUCH different story.
Timberwolves - 104 at Spurs - 102 (Wolves lead 1-0)
San Antonio had seven players in double-figures, Victor Wembanyama (11pts/15r/5a) set an NBA playoffs record with 12 blocks, and yet, somehow, the Timberwolves were able to go into San Antonio and steal Game 1 thanks to heroics from Anthony Edwards and excellent coaching and adjustments from Chris Finch.
Edwards, who hyperextended his knee and bruised his bone 10 days ago, made a miraculous return to the court, providing 18pts in just 25 minutes off the bench, including 11 in the fourth quarter to help Minnesota pull off the upset.
Rudy Gobert led the charge for Minnesota’s defense on Wemby, frustrating the DPOY into 5-17 shooting and forcing three turnovers, disrupting his rhythm all night long, especially in the fourth quarter. Whether it was forcing him to the weak side or surprising him with a late second defender, I was extremely impressed with just how cohesive this Wolves team continues to be in their execution.
I fully expect the Spurs to answer back and regroup but if I had to point out one area I’d be a little concerned about, it’s De’Aaron Fox (10pts/6a/6TOs) who committed six turnovers and shot just 5-14 from the field, finishing a team-worst -13 in his 33 minutes. Fox’s ability as a closer is going to be essential for the Spurs if they hope to continue this playoff run so I’m going to be locked in on him for Game Two.
Two More Series Start Tonight
Cavaliers at Pistons (Game 1)
This has all the makings of such a fun series. I can’t wait to see how these two teams attack each other. Jalen Duren needs to rebound from a sluggish first round matchup but at the same time, the Cavs’ big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen each look like they’ve turned a corner with their games.
Obviously though this is a Cade Cunningham vs. the Cavs’ backcourt series and I really don’t think James Harden or Donovan Mitchell are going to be defensively up to the task with how good Cade has been playing the last week. I keep wondering if we’ll see Kenny Atkinson mess with the lineups to get more Keon Ellis minutes to match up against Cade or if we could see something like Evan Mobley stepping out to guard him while Allen mans the middle vs. Duren.
If I’m being honest, it’s not often that I pay super close attention to coaching matchups but I actually think it’s going to make a huge difference here. I believe, on paper, that Kenny Atkinson is a better coach than JB Bickerstaff but I also just watched the Pistons come back from down 3-1 and hold the Magic to 18 points in a half of basketball for one of those games so I’m not ready to discredit anyone just yet.
My Prediction: Cavs in 7 because Cade just doesn’t get enough scoring support
Lakers at Thunder (Game 1)
With Luka Doncic’s status still up in the air, it looks like 41-year-old LeBron James will be leading the team into battle once again, albeit with a healthy Austin Reaves available for the whole series thankfully. I don’t think many are giving the Lakers much of a chance to win the series, especially with the level the Thunder are playing at but still, I think it could get more interesting than people may expect.
If OKC has a vulnerability, it’s going to be not having Jalen Williams for however long he remains out. OKC is a team that can struggle to shoot the ball sometimes and if LA can go shot for shot with them or ride out a Thunder slump, it could make a difference. Obviously none of this is going to happen without Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Marcus Smart returning to the form they were in to start their round one matchup, but I have faith in JJ Redick to come up with interesting looks designed to stretch out OKC’s defense as much as possible.
Speaking of JJ, he gave a very interesting quote during Monday’s media session about what he’s told the team to expect this series.
“They don’t foul. The whistles aren’t gonna be there. So, it’s like, you accept that going in, they don’t foul.” - JJ Redick on playing the Thunder
I love this idea that they’re already expecting a free throw disparity but I’ll believe it when I see it that they all stay composed whenever there’s an egregious call. I love the sentiment, I just don’t think it’s possible in the actual heat of the moment.
Still, I’m extremely interested to see this version of LeBron go against a high-IQ team that plays as connected as this Thunder squad.
* - Refs, please keep an eye on Lu Dort. I don’t need him throwing LeBron to the ground or tripping Austin Reaves and twisting his ankle. Don’t let him do that stupid stuff.
My Prediction: Thunder in 6, there are 3 games in the series where SGA attempts more free throws than the entire Lakers’ team.
At the Buzzer
- Pistons sign coach JB Bickerstaff to extension following series win vs. Magic
- Mavericks’ hiring Masai Ujiri as new team president
- Magic fire head coach Jamahl Mosley after five seasons with the team
- Bulls hire former Hawks VP Bryson Graham as new VP of Basketball Operations
Tonight’s Schedule (Both Games on Peacock/NBC)
Game 1 - Cavaliers at Pistons
Game 1 - Lakers at Thunder
Thank you so much for hanging out and reading today’s HOOPS. I hope your day is going well and your week has been off to a good start as well. Take care.