NBA playoff takeaways: Knicks, Timberwolves take a commanding 3-1 leads

The 2nd circular of the 2025 NBA playoffs is here, and our NBA insiders person you covered for each crippled of the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals.

The No. 4 effect Indiana Pacers kicked disconnected the East semis by taking a 2-0 pb implicit the No. 1 effect Cleveland Cavaliers, who bounced backmost successful Game 3 lone to beryllium routed by the Pacers again successful a lopsided Game 4 triumph that gave Indiana a 3-1 bid lead.

The No. 3 New York Knicks took power of their bid with the No. 2 effect Boston Celtics with a important Game 4 win. The teams volition present caput to Boston with the Knicks up 3-1 successful the bid and looking to adjacent it retired connected Wednesday.

In the West, the No. 4 effect Denver Nuggets, aft a lopsided nonaccomplishment against the No. 1 effect Oklahoma City Thunder, came backmost astatine location successful an overtime triumph successful Game 3. OKC struck backmost with a clutch triumph successful Game 4 to adjacent the series.

The Minnesota Timberwolves stole Game 3 astatine Chase Center against the Golden State Warriors earlier a connection Game 4 triumph to propulsion their bid pb to 3-1. The Wolves caput backmost to Minnesota looking to beforehand to the Western Conference finals for the 2nd consecutive season.

As teams proceed to pursuit the Larry O'Brien Trophy, here's what matters astir successful some conferences and what to ticker for successful each 4 series.

Jump to a series:
Cavaliers-Pacers | Knicks-Celtics
Thunder-Nuggets | Warriors-Timberwolves

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Schedules and results | Offseason guides

Eastern Conference

(3) New York Knicks pb (2) Boston Celtics 3-1

Game 4: Knicks 121, Celtics 113

What we learned: New York, contempt a horrendous opening quarter, is inactive starring this series. And, aft hanging pugnacious pursuing an aboriginal 14-point shortage and playing a ascendant 4th period, the Knicks are present starring the Celtics 3-1 -- firmly successful the driver's spot to scope the Eastern Conference finals. Earlier successful the day, we'd written astir the Knicks' quality successful the clutch and their content that they could triumph immoderate crippled if they simply enactment successful the fight. Games 1 and 2 showed it, and truthful did Game 4, erstwhile Mikal Bridges and Jalen Brunson, who recorded a team-high 39 points Monday night, took implicit to adjacent things out.

Game 5: Knicks astatine Celtics (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, TNT)

What to watch: Above each else, it volition beryllium the presumption of Jayson Tatum, who played a superb Game 4. He finished with a game-high 42 points but was near writhing successful symptom with 3 minutes near successful the contention aft reaching for a escaped ball. Knicks helping OG Anunoby grabbed the shot and raced up the level for a dunk to enactment New York up by nine, but Tatum couldn't get backmost up connected his own, lying connected the tribunal for astir 2 minutes until 2 Celtics staffers helped him up. He couldn't enactment immoderate value connected his close limb and was seen successful a wheelchair heading to the locker room, an ominous motion for the defending champs arsenic they look elimination erstwhile the bid resumes Wednesday. -- Chris Herring

(4) Indiana Pacers pb (1) Cleveland Cavaliers 3-1

Game 4: Read Entire Article