Monday evening in the NBA was filled with plenty of late playoff drama as the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks picked up shocking road victories in their respective Game 1’s against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. The Nuggets capped off a 14-point comeback with a game-winning three-pointer from Aaron Gordon to knock off the Western Conference’s No. 1-seeded Thunder, prevailing 121-119. And earlier in the day, the Knicks came back from 20 points down to beat the Celtics 108-105 in overtime of their opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Here’s how an eventful night of NBA playoff action played out. Nuggets shock Thunder on the road While the Thunder entered the Western Conference semifinals riding high off an emphatic four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Nuggets came into the series needing a Game 7 to beat the Los Angeles Clippers in a hard-fought contest. The Thunder are many people’s favorites for the NBA title after finishing with a league-best record of 68-14 while Denver has had a turbulent season, firing head coach Michael Malone a few games before the end of the regular season. And Game 1 of the series between the two began like many people expected, with the Thunder dominating proceedings and having their way of things. The clash between the two teams sees a match-up between two frontrunners for this season’s MVP award – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Nuggets. The pair shone brightly in Game 1 with Gilgeous-Alexander racking up 33 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals and Jokić posting a monster stat-line of 42 points, 22 rebounds, six assists and two blocks. But in the end, it was another Nuggets player who made the difference after a controversial decision by the Thunder. After Gilgeous-Alexander dunked to give the Thunder a three-point lead with 11 seconds left, Oklahoma City decided to foul Gordon without running time off the clock. The Nuggets forward converted both free throws to cut the lead to one before Denver’s Russell Westbrook fouled center Chet Holmgren with 9.5 seconds remaining. Holmgren missed both of his attempts and Nuggets guard Christian Braun grabbed the rebound, passing the ball to Westbrook who in turn set up Gordon’s triple and leaving Oklahoma City 2.8 seconds to respond. Thunder guard Jalen Williams attempted a heave from deep in his half as time expired, but the ball hit the backboard and bounced away, sparking wild celebrations from the Denver squad. The game-winning shot from Gordon is his second final-minute, game-winning moment of this postseason already after his dunk in Game 4 against the Clippers turned that series on its head. “We just didn’t want to miss the moment, didn’t want to miss the opportunity,” Gordon said afterwards. “We knew that if we waited, it may be too late. I’m glad we showed our mettle, our grit, but we’re not satisfied.” The Nuggets will provide a stern test for the Thunder through their combination of size and all-around magic in Jokić, with a potential all-time series brewing between two contenders as Game 2 in Oklahoma City looms on Wednesday. Knicks take advantage of Celtics historically poor shooting performance The Celtics were many people’s preseason favorites to repeat this season after maintaining the core of their 2024 championship-winning team while the Knicks retooled in the offseason with title aspirations of their own. And in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the two on Monday, it was the reigning champions who looked seasoned on this stage. Boston – playing with all six of its most important players for just the 19th time in 88 games this season – had built a 20-point lead in the second half, although the team lost center Kristaps Porziņģis at halftime due to an illness. Although they held a lead, the Celtics’ usual proficiency from beyond the three-point line went historically awry. Boston set two unwanted records in Game 1, for the most three-pointers attempted and missed in a playoff game, misfiring on 45 attempts as they shot 15-for-60 (25%) from deep. The Celtics’ reliance on shots from deep allowed New York to grow back into the game through two its star players, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby. The pair combined for 39 points over the final 23 minutes of the game in which the Knicks outscored the Celtics 53-30 to send the game to OT. In front of a raucous, hostile TD Garden crowd, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns had big buckets in the extra period and the Knicks defense was able to step up to halt the Celtics. Brunson and Anunoby finished with 29 points each as the Knicks stole Game 1 with Game 2 set for Wednesday night. “We told each other just keep believing. Just keep fighting and sticking together and keep chipping away. There wasn’t going to be a 20-point shot,” Brunson said afterwards.
Dramatic endings as Nuggets and Knicks shock Thunder and Celtics in conference semifinal openers
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Nuggets and Knicks Achieve Upsets in NBA Playoff Semifinal Openers"
CNN
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
On Monday evening, the NBA playoffs witnessed two stunning upsets as the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks secured remarkable road victories in their respective Game 1 matchups against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. The Nuggets staged a dramatic comeback from a 14-point deficit, ultimately defeating the Thunder 121-119 thanks to a game-winning three-pointer from Aaron Gordon. The Thunder, who entered the semifinals as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and fresh off a four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, appeared to have the upper hand early in the game. However, despite star performances from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić, it was a key strategic misstep by the Thunder that allowed the Nuggets to capitalize. With only 11 seconds left and the Thunder leading by three, Oklahoma City fouled Gordon, who made both free throws. This set the stage for Gordon's clutch three-pointer, sealing the victory for Denver and igniting celebrations among the team. Gordon expressed satisfaction with their resilience, emphasizing the importance of seizing the moment as they prepare for Game 2 in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
In the Eastern Conference, the Knicks also defied expectations by overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in overtime with a final score of 108-105. The Celtics, who were anticipated to dominate following their strong regular season and championship pedigree, struggled significantly with their three-point shooting, setting records for the most three-pointers attempted and missed in a playoff game. Despite holding a commanding lead, Boston's 25% shooting from beyond the arc allowed the Knicks to claw their way back into contention. Key contributions from Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who combined for 39 points in the final minutes, were pivotal in pushing the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Knicks' defense held firm while Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns delivered crucial baskets, leading New York to steal the victory at TD Garden. Brunson highlighted the team's determination to keep fighting and believing in their chances, setting the stage for a competitive Game 2 on Wednesday night.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the unexpected outcomes of the NBA playoffs, focusing on the thrilling victories of the Denver Nuggets over the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics. These events not only demonstrate the unpredictability of sports but also serve to engage the audience's emotions, particularly in the context of playoff excitement.
Intent Behind the Publication
The report aims to capture the intense emotions and drama associated with playoff basketball, showcasing underdog triumphs that resonate with fans. By emphasizing the comebacks and heroic performances, the article seeks to generate excitement and maintain interest in the ongoing NBA playoffs. This can strengthen fan loyalty and encourage viewership for future games.
Public Sentiment
By illustrating these dramatic wins, the narrative fosters a sense of hope and excitement among basketball fans, especially those supporting the Nuggets and Knicks. It elevates the narrative of the underdog overcoming the odds, which is a compelling theme in sports storytelling.
Possibility of Concealment
While the article focuses on the games' outcomes, it may not explore deeper issues, such as the performance of the teams leading up to these games or the implications of coaching changes, like the Nuggets' recent shift in management. However, this focus helps to create a thrilling narrative that could distract from underlying issues.
Manipulative Elements
The article could be seen as manipulative to some extent, primarily through its emphasis on dramatic moments and individual player performances. This type of reporting can lead fans to form biased perceptions about team capabilities and potential throughout the playoffs, especially when contrasting the Nuggets' turbulent season against the Thunder's strong record.
Overall Reliability
The article appears to be reliable in its reporting of the game outcomes and player statistics. However, the focus on drama may overshadow a more nuanced analysis of the teams' journeys to this point. The excitement generated by the narrative does not necessarily reflect the complete picture of each team's performance.
Community Engagement
The article is likely to resonate more with passionate basketball fans and those who appreciate sports drama. It targets communities that thrive on competition and underdog stories, enhancing viewer engagement during the playoff season.
Market Impact
The outcomes of these games could have implications for sports betting markets and team valuations. The performance of key players, such as Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, may also influence stock prices for franchises and related businesses in sports entertainment.
Geopolitical Relevance
While the article does not directly address global power dynamics, it contributes to cultural narratives surrounding American sports. The excitement of the playoffs can reflect broader societal themes, such as competition and resilience, relevant in various contexts.
AI Influence
There’s a possibility that AI tools were employed in drafting the article, especially in organizing statistics and summarizing game highlights. The way player performances are emphasized might reflect algorithm-driven trends in sports journalism that prioritize sensationalism.
Conclusion
In summary, the article serves to excite and engage readers with a focus on dramatic playoff outcomes, though it may gloss over deeper aspects of team dynamics. Its emphasis on thrilling moments and individual performances can lead to a somewhat biased narrative, which is common in sports reporting.