The 2024-25 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game in the march to the Finals.
On Saturday, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder became the first team to advance to the second round after defeating the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies. The No. 5 seed LA Clippers are also looking to solidify their series but first they'll have to get past the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic. The No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors will look to win their first game at home against the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets.
Friday, the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 3 on the road to the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves, but will have another chance at home on Sunday to tie the series.
As the West playoffs continue, here's what matters most and what to watch for in all four series.
Jump to a series:
Thunder-Grizzlies | Rockets-Warriors
Lakers-Timberwolves | Nuggets-Clippers
More coverage:
East first-round takeaways
Schedules and results |
Offseason guides
Saturday's game
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder win series against
(8) Memphis Grizzlies 4-0
Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115
What we learned:
Overall top seed Oklahoma City made quick work of Memphis, sweeping the Grizzlies, who haven't won a playoff series since 2022 and didn't beat a Western Conference team with a winning record after January. Likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his first efficient scoring performance of the series in the finale, finishing with 38 points on 13-of-24 shooting. With Ja Morant out, the Grizzlies couldn't handle the Thunder's tenacious defensive pressure, committing 22 turnovers that Oklahoma City converted into 32 points. Now, the Thunder will get some rest and await the winner of the Nuggets-Clippers series.
-- Tim MacMahon
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hits a sweet jumper to complete OKC's sweep over the Grizzlies.
(5) LA Clippers lead (4) Denver Nuggets 2-1
Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to watch:
Russell Westbrook left the game in the second quarter and didn't return with what the Nuggets called "left foot inflammation." He'll have less than 48 hours to get ready for Saturday's Game 4, which will be played at 3 p.m. local time. The same goes for Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., who played with a painful left shoulder sprain Thursday. If the Nuggets have any energy left to extend this series and their season, these next two days are critical.
-- Ramona Shelburne
James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Norman Powell all score at least 20 points as the Clippers beat the Nuggets by 34 points to take control of the series.
(7) Golden State Warriors tied with
(2) Houston Rockets 1-1
Game 3: Rockets at Warriors (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
What to watch:
All eyes will be on Butler and his status for Game 3. Butler took a scary fall when he grabbed a defensive rebound and crashed to the floor after Amen Thompson collided with him. Butler landed hard on his tailbone and left with 1:51 to go in the first quarter. The team ruled him out for the rest of the game because of a pelvis contusion in the second quarter, and will undergo an MRI on Thursday. Butler has two days off before Saturday's Game 3 at Chase Center, but if he has to sit out any time, that would be a crushing blow for the Warriors, who entered Game 2 with a 25-8 record in the regular season, play-in and postseason since Butler made his Warriors' debut on Feb. 8. Butler not only has rejuvenated Stephen Curry, he has been the driving force behind Golden State's turnaround.
He has provided the team with a star on both ends of the court, a calming presence and a go-to guy during the crucial non-Curry minutes. The Warriors had the top-ranked defense since the Butler trade and he was in "Playoff Jimmy" form. Butler's injury could change the complexion of the series. With Butler out in Game 2, Jonathan Kuminga made his series debut after being out of the rotation, and he might play an even bigger role depending on Butler's status. Kuminga has had success against the Rockets, scoring 33 points against Houston on Dec. 5.
-- Ohm Youngmisuk
Jalen Green goes off for 38 points as the Rockets blow out the Warriors to win Game 2.
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves lead the
(3) Los Angeles Lakers 2-1
Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104
What we learned:
This was a close game until Minnesota finished with a 13-1 run. But when you look at how the Wolves dominated points in the paint 56-26, only had 11 turnovers to the Lakers' 19 and nearly doubled on fast-break points (21-11), it's a wonder that L.A. didn't lose by more. With Luka Doncic struggling and dealing with stomach flu (17 points on 6-for-16 shooting, eight assists, seven rebounds and five turnovers), LeBron James carried the Lakers. He set a NBA playoff record for the most points by a player 40 or older, finishing with 38 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough. Minnesota got another brilliant effort from Jaden McDaniels (30 points, five rebounds, two steals), and Anthony Edwards made seemingly every play the Wolves needed in the fourth. He had 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Anthony Edwards is fueling the Timberwolves late as he cooks up a step-back 3-pointer.
Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
What to watch:
The series schedule included three days between Games 1 and 2 and three days between Games 2 and 3, but Game 4 is a quick turnaround -- a 2:30 p.m. local tip Sunday. L.A.'s energy should be fueled by the urgency of wanting to avoid a 3-1 deficit, but it does make you wonder what James, Doncic and Austin Reaves will have in the tank after they all played 40-plus minutes Friday.
-- Dave McMenamin