Oklahoma City Thunder 94, New Orleans Pelicans 92:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 28 points, securing a close victory over the Pelicans.
- Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch plays in the final minutes, including a tying jumper and a crucial floater with a free throw, helped seal the win.
- Despite a strong effort from the Pelicans, led by Trey Murphy III and CJ McCollum, the Thunder’s defensive efforts, including a crucial play by Cason Wallace on McCollum, secured the narrow victory.
Milwaukee Bucks 109, Indiana Pacers 94:
- Damian Lillard’s explosive first-half performance, scoring all 35 of his points in that period, propelled the Bucks to a comfortable win over the Pacers.
- Khris Middleton contributed 23 points, helping the Bucks maintain their lead in the second half.
- Pascal Siakam’s double-double performance for the Pacers wasn’t enough to overcome their struggles from beyond the arc, shooting just 21% from 3-point range.
Boston Celtics 114, Miami Heat 94:
- Jayson Tatum’s triple-double, with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, led the Celtics to a commanding victory over the Heat.
- Boston’s strong start, scoring the game’s first 14 points, set the tone for the rest of the game.
- Despite Bam Adebayo’s 24-point effort for the Heat, the Celtics’ sharpshooting from 3-point range, led by Derrick White’s 20 points, secured the win for Boston.
Los Angeles Clippers 109, Dallas Mavericks 97:
- Despite missing Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers delivered a statement win over the Mavericks behind James Harden’s 28 points and Ivica Zubac’s double-double performance.
- Paul George contributed 22 points for the Clippers, while Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 33 and 31 points, respectively.
- The Clippers’ strong defensive effort limited the Mavericks to just eight points in the second quarter, setting the tone for their victory.
Overall, the opening games of the NBA playoffs showcased intense competition and exciting performances from key players across the league.