NBA playoff openers winners, losers: Kings, Knicks, Lakers shine

The NBA playoffs opened Saturday and Sunday with aggressive video games, upsets, nice – and stunning – particular person and group performances and worrisome accidents to key gamers.

The decrease seed received 4 of eight Recreation 1s, together with the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers beating the Memphis Grizzlies, the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention.

Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, a favourite to win Clutch Participant of the Yr, scored 38 factors in his first playoff recreation, a Kings victory over the Golden State Warriors.

And accidents are already a menace with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Memphis’ Ja Morant and Miami’s Tyler Herro exiting video games and never returning with accidents.

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Listed here are the Recreation 1 winners and losers of the weekend:

Winners

► Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers

Leonard had a game-high 38 factors on 13-for-25 capturing within the Clippers’ win in opposition to the Phoenix Suns, and whereas Westbrook was simply 3-for-19 from the sector, he was an element elsewhere with 10 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and two steals. He had key offensive rebounds and defensive stops within the last minutes.

► Jimmy Butler, Miami Warmth

He’s Playoff Jimmy for a motive. He brings it – win or lose – on a regular basis and particularly within the postseason. Butler had 35 factors, 11 assists, 5 rebounds and three steals in Miami’s 130-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Tyler Herro’s damaged proper hand sapped some sweetness from the win.

► Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Brunson lifted the Knicks to a 101-97 highway victory in opposition to Cleveland, scoring 21 of his 27 factors within the second half – 12 within the third and 9 of New York’s last 14 factors within the fourth. The Cavs did not include Brunson, who received to his spots and had entry to his offensive abilities.

► Sacramento Kings

Sacramento has a subdivision of winners from its 126-123 victory over the Golden State Warriors:

— The Kings, for the primary playoff victory since beating the San Antonio Spurs in a six-game sequence in 2006.

— De’Aaron Fox, for scoring a game-high 38 factors, together with 29 within the second half and 15 within the fourth quarter. Fox confirmed why he’s legit candidate to make All-NBA.

— Malik Monk, for scoring 32 factors off the bench, whereas capturing 8-for-13 from the sector and 14-for-14 from the free throw line. Monk wasn’t a finalist for Sixth Man of the Yr, however he belongs within the dialog.

► James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia’s success is determined by All-Star Joel Embiid’s efficiency. Nonetheless, the Sixers’ outlook turns extra favorable when Harden performed like he did of their 121-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets: 23 factors (7-for-13 on 3s) and 13 assists. Harden wants these sorts of video games if Philadelphia goes to succeed in the convention finals for the primary time since 2001.

► Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

The Atlanta Hawks had no solutions for Tatum and Brown in Boston’s 112-99 victory. Brown had 29 factors and 12 rebounds, Tatum had 25 factors and 11 rebounds they usually shot a mixed 22-for-46 from the sector. Utilizing a small-ball lineup and spreading the court docket – generally with 5 gamers on the perimeter – Tatum and Brown had loads of area to create for themselves or others.

► Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

Hachimura scored a playoff career-high 29 factors (5-for-6 on 3-pointers) with 21 coming within the second half – together with 12 within the third quarter – of the Lakers’ 128-112 victory in opposition to Memphis. Reaves had 23 factors – 9 consecutive factors when the Lakers started to drag away from the Grizzlies late within the fourth quarter.

Losers

► Phoenix Suns

The Suns wasted robust performances from Kevin Durant (27 factors, 11 assists, 9 rebounds), Devin Booker (26 factors) and Torrey Craig (22 factors), and their bench was outscored 34-10 at dwelling.

► Trae Younger, Atlanta Hawks

Younger had simply 16 factors on 5-for-18 capturing, together with 1-for-5 on 3s. His eight assists had been tempered by 5 turnovers. Whereas single-game plus-minus might be deceptive, the Hawks had been outscored by 14 factors with Younger on the court docket in opposition to the Celtics.

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