The NBA playoff semifinals took sharply different turns on Monday as the Western Conference top seed Oklahoma City Thunder seized a commanding 3-0 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers, while the young Detroit Pistons grabbed a 2-1 edge over the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. Both series face pivotal games tonight.
In Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena, the Thunder dominated the Lakers from start to finish. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 23 points and 9 assists, Ajay Mitchell erupted for a playoff-career-high 24 points and 10 assists, and Chet Holmgren added 18 points and 9 rebounds. For Los Angeles, Rui Hachimura knocked down 5-of-8 from deep for 21 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 8 assists, while Luke Kennard and Austin Reaves contributed 18 and 17 points respectively. But without Luka Dončić, the Lakers were outscored 74-59 in the second half, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Out east, the Pistons stunned the Cavaliers in Rocket Arena to take a 2-1 series lead. Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, while Tobias Harris went 14-of-7 from the field for 21 points. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell poured in 35 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, James Harden had 19 points, and Jarrett Allen added 18. A clutch layup by Max Strus cut the deficit to 106-104, but Harden buried a game-sealing three-pointer with 25.9 seconds left. Detroit’s 28-13 road record this season underscores their resilience.
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 114-109 to even their series at 2-2. Victor Wembanyama was ejected in the second quarter after committing a Flagrant 2 foul for elbowing Naz Reid, a turning point in the game. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers, after winning a thrilling first-round Game 7 against the Boston Celtics, were swept by the New York Knicks in the semifinals, marking the biggest upset of the playoffs so far.
