Thursday’s NBA action produced two teams advancing to the second round, two teams eliminated, and a winner-takes-all Game 7 looming.
In the West, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the No. 3-seeded Denver Nuggets were knocked out in a shock first-round exit by the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves. Jaden McDaniels delivered perhaps his finest playoff performance in six games, pouring in 32 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 110-98 Minnesota victory. Jokic finished the series with a better outing in Game 6, scoring 28 points on 58 percent shooting, but it proved too late to save a Nuggets side many had tipped as title contenders. The Timberwolves now face a daunting Western Conference semi-final against Victor Wembanyama and the No. 2-seed San Antonio Spurs.
In the East, the No. 3 New York Knicks overwhelmed the Atlanta Hawks, routing them 140-89 to clinch their conference semi-final spot. New York set an NBA playoff record with a 47-point halftime lead, and their 51-point margin of victory became the largest in franchise playoff history. O.G. Anunoby led the way with a playoff-high 29 points, and the Knicks will await the winner of the Celtics-Sixers series.
The Philadelphia 76ers, seeded No. 7, forced a decisive Game 7 against the Boston Celtics after a 106-93 home win. Philadelphia, which could still be eliminated by Boston for the fourth time in eight seasons, secured their second straight win facing elimination. Joel Embiid, returning from appendectomy recovery, played his second game back, and Tyrese Maxey scored 30 points to power the effort. If the Sixers prevail in the decider, they would become only the second team in 67 years to win a playoff series after suffering two defeats by 30 or more points earlier in the matchup. The winner-takes-all Game 7 is set for Saturday, live on Sky Sports.