🏀Tuesday’s slate of hoops🏀
- Grizzlies 124, Hornets 100 (Final)
- Bulls 113, Cavaliers 135 (Final)
- Wizards 98, Pacers 104 (Final)
- Hawks 112, Magic 119 (Final)
- Pelicans 114, Nets 119 (Final)
- Celtics 119, Knicks 117 (Final)
- Timberwolves 103, Bucks 111 (Final)
- Lakers 120, Thunder 136 (Final)
- Warriors 133, Suns 95 (Final)
- Spurs 117, Clippers 122 (Final)
📝Final notes📝
- The Cavaliers secured the No. 1 seed in the East, officially clinching the spot with a win over the Bulls. This will mark the fourth time Cleveland finished with the best record in the East, previously doing so during the 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2015-16 seasons. This also means the Celtics are now locked into the No. 2 seed in the conference.
- Further down in the East, the Knicks’ loss and the Pacers’ win put Indiana just two games shy of the No. 3 seed, with each team having three games left to play. However, the Knicks hold the tiebreaker, so they would have to lose out while the Pacers win out to see any movement there.
- Also of note, the Bucks’ monster 34-3 run in the fourth over Minnesota gave them a victory that pushes their lead on the Pistons to two games for the No. 5 seed. Orlando’s win over Atlanta gives them a two-game lead for the No. 7.
- With the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Clippers all securing victories, the Timberwolves, who lost to the Bucks, will now fall to the No. 8 seed. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ loss to the Thunder clinched the No. 2 seed for the Rockets. It also dropped the Lakers one game closer to the aforementioned four and put them in a tie with the Nuggets for the No. 3 seed in the West.
- Take a closer look at the full NBA standings and where everyone sits in the tightly congested West.
🌟🌟Top performers🌟🌟
- Paolo Banchero: 33 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and one block.
- Kristaps Porziņģis: 34 points (8-for-13 3PT), four rebounds, three assists.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 42 points, six rebounds, six assists, and a block.
🚢Clippers sail to victory
San Antonio kept it close throughout, but the Clippers were able to stay out in front in the second half, finishing with a 122-117 win.
Ivica Zubac was a beast in the paint, ending the game with 24 points and 20 rebounds for his fourth 20/20 game this season,
4th 20/20 game for Ivica Zubac this season!
The only other players with 4:
Joker (5)
KAT (4)
Domas (4) pic.twitter.com/haAxtornVh— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Harden also delivered, finishing with 21 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.
THAT’S UNO‼️
21 PTS | 12 AST | 9 REB pic.twitter.com/ax09iUHvrR
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2025
The Spurs received solid performances from Barnes, who finished with 24 points and three steals, while Stephon Castle added 19 and eight assists.
That’s strong💪
Sandro Mamukelashvili gets the ball on the perimeter, pump fakes the three, then just explodes toward the rim like a speeding train for a strong one-handed slam,
MAMUUU 🔨 pic.twitter.com/S2aT1KPIl4
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 9, 2025
The Spurs still trail the Clippers, though, 107-97 near the midpoint of the fourth quarter.
🌉Warriors win duel🌉
Golden State dominated Phoenix, picking up a 133-95 win.
Curry led the way with 25 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in 26 minutes of action.
It was their bench that put the stamp on the victory, including Jackson-Davis, who added 13 and eight boards and threw down another strong slam late in the game.
TRAYCE. JACKSON. DAVIS.
😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/EBoXCskaXb
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Airplane mode✈️
The Clippers have come out hot in the third quarter, extending their lead, and are now up 78-69 late in the frame.
Part of the surge is Derrick Jones Jr., who has 16 points and gets two of them here on the perfect lob from James Harden, who has nine assists,
Just throw it up & Airplane Mode will do the rest…
HARDEN ↗️ DJ ✈️ pic.twitter.com/YgFOoMlOpq
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 9, 2025
Harrison Barnes is trying to keep the Spurs in it and has 21 points on 5-for-7 three-point shooting.
Making history🪶
Earlier tonight, Keldon Johnson reached 928 points off the bench for the season, setting a new single-season team record for points scored as a reserve and surpassing Manu Ginobili.
🚨 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 🚨 pic.twitter.com/B3CtWK6KtL
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 9, 2025
For the game. Johnson has eight, while Harrison Barnes leads the team with 13, as the trail the Clippers 54-52 at the break.
Warriors roll into halftime
Golden State is up big on the Suns at the break, 69-43.
Curry finished the half with 19 points, four boards, and four assists, including this feed to set up Trayce Jackson-Davis for a lob finish,
Steph up to TJD, on repeat!
Warriors rolling early on TNT pic.twitter.com/UXFKjMst7H
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Brandin Podziemski also delivered a strong half with 17 points.
Devin Booker is leading Phoenix with a 21-point effort on 7-for-12 shooting.
Steph is on🔥
Stephen Curry has the hot hand early, pouring in a quick 13 first-quarter points on 5-for-7 shooting, including this pretty turnaround jumper,
STEPH. TURNAROUND. TOO SMOOTH.
He’s got 13 of the Warriors’ 26 in the 1Q on TNT 🧑🍳 pic.twitter.com/QO8x4q9Cuq
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
The Warriors have jumped out to a 46-31 lead over the Suns as they near the midpoint of the second quarter.
🌩️Thunder rolls🌩️
Oklahoma City lost to the Lakers on Sunday but got payback tonight with a 136-120 win.
Gilgeous-Alexander came up big, scoring 42 points on 14-for-25 shooting while also getting six boards and six assists.
SHAI TRIPLE FOR 42.
15-3 OKC RUN. pic.twitter.com/XxQqxMLDvb
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Jalen Williams scored 26 to also aid in the victory.
The Lakers were led by 28 points from James, who also contributed seven rebounds and three assists.
🦌Fear the deer🦌
Milwaukee did an absolute takeover of the fourth quarter, outscoring Minnesota 40-13 in the final frame, including going on a 34-3 run on their way to a 111-103 victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a 23-point, 13-rebound, and 11-assist triple-double, while Kevin Porter Jr. was big off the bench, scoring 21 points and getting five assists and five steals. The two of them combine here for an alley-oop,
SCOOT ALLEY-OOP TO GIANNIS!
WE ARE HAVING FUN! pic.twitter.com/KLLvFt3NyA
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 9, 2025
The loss for the Timberwolves drops their record to 46-33, and with Memphis already winning earlier, they are sure to drop in the standings and could fall further before the night is over.
Clutch KP💥
The Celtics came out on top, 119-117, in an overtime victory over the Knicks.
Porziņģis delivered the dagger with his eighth three of the evening,
KP’s 8th three is CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/4Vtil4LuX5
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 9, 2025
Kristaps finished with 34 points, four boards, and three assists to lead Boston’s scoring attack. Tatum was also superb down the stretch and finished with 32 points, seven boards, and five assists.
New York’s guard and big man combo filled up the stat sheet as well, with Towns scoring 34 points and pulling down 14 rebounds, while Brunson scored 27 and dished out nine assists.
Bonus ball in the Big Apple
It’s been an incredible back-and-forth battle in the fourth between the Celtics and Knicks, and now we’ll get more of it as these teams finished regulation in a 107-all tie.
The Knicks went up 3 with 11.9 seconds left, but a Tatum three-point dagger with 2.9 left knotted them up at 107,
BRUNSON TO HART.
TATUM THREE FOR THE TIE.
2.9 LEFT ON TNT 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/vRbdNYIlaC
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Josh Hart got a shot off as time expired but ultimately was unable to connect.
Long-range LeBron
The Lakers will take a 98-97 lead over the Thunder into the final frame, after a dominant 26-17 third quarter.
Part of that display was LeBron James nailing this deep triple for three of his 19 points,
LeBron from WAYYYYYY DOWNTOWN 🎯
Part of an 11-2 Los Angeles run to take the lead! pic.twitter.com/EHInRFbHf8
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Gilgeous-Alexander continues to pace with the Thunder with a game-high 32 points.
Magic earns the W🪄✨
Orlando pulled out the win, 119-112 against Atlanta, and now have a two-game lead over the Hawks for the No. 7 spot in the East.
Banchero showed up, posting a double-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists,
Paolo did his thing in the @OrlandoMagic win!
33 PTS, 10 REB, 4 AST pic.twitter.com/vKZaAzGlgf
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Wendell Carter Jr. was also impressive, scoring 17 points, grabbing nine rebounds, getting six steals, and blocking three shots.
Atlanta got strong performances from Okongwu, who racked up 30 and 14 boards, and Young, who poured in 28 and 10 assists in the loss.
Quarter ending dagger🗡️
Little time and being double-teamed is no problem for Tatum, who hits the fadeaway jumper as the third-quarter comes to a close, giving the Celtics an 83-78 lead at the time,
JT at the buzzer. TOUGH.
Celtics lead Knicks entering the 4th Q!
📺 TNT pic.twitter.com/IApCxnN0yM
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
Tatum is now up to 19 points, while Kristaps Porziņģis has scored a team-high 27 with 7-for-12 three-point shooting.
Boston now leads 91-85 early in the fourth.
Secures top spot🥇
The Cavaliers pulled out a 135-113 over the Bulls and, in the process, clinched the No. 1 seed in the East.
With Mitchell out of action, Garland and Mobley delivered, with No. 10 posting 28 points, three rebounds, five assists, and a steal, while Mobley added 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block,
DG AND MOBLEY IGNITING THE CLEVELAND CROWD.
TWO-WAY CAVS DOMINANCE AS THEY SEEK THE EAST’S #1 SEED. pic.twitter.com/i67PRrksTv
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
The Bulls, who were without their starting backcourt of Coby White and Josh Giddey, got a team-high 21 points from Patrick Williams.
Offensive fireworks in Oklahoma City🎆🎇
The Thunder posted 80 first-half points, outscoring the Lakers 80-72 through two quarters of play.
Oklahoma City is shooting 64.7% from the field and already has four players in double figures, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 21 points leading the way.
Despite the score, they’re also playing some defense, as evidenced by this emphatic block from Isaiah Hartenstein on a Dalton Knecht dunk attempt,
There’s no way…not on iHart’s watch ❌ pic.twitter.com/aXxqKOYHIF
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 9, 2025
Serving up lobs🥣
The Hawks are hanging in there against Orlando, and that’s because of the big performances from Young and Okongwu, who have each surpassed the 20-point mark.
Here, they connect with Trae, who finds the big man with a lob for an easy lay-in.
Smooth lob from Ice to Big O pic.twitter.com/NwCXJOLh58
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 9, 2025
Orlando holds a 97-86 lead early in the fourth quarter.
4️⃣on1️⃣
Towns is still cooking for the Knicks as they enter halftime with a 58-52 lead over the Celtics.
The New York big man has 22 points, including this bucket, while surrounded by four defenders,
KAT in the first half so far:
🗽 20 PTS
🗽 8 REB
🗽 8-12 FGMKnicks lead Celtics on TNT! pic.twitter.com/AhcAWl4ypf
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
and also has nine rebounds.
Leading the Celtics has been Jayson Tatum, with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal.
📜Enters the record books📜
Anthony Edwards became the Timberwolves’ single-season record holder with 2,062 points scored this season, with this bucket here,
A NEW FRANCHISE RECORD 🪣 pic.twitter.com/6zaU5zYO2V
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 9, 2025
Edwards is up to six points, with Minnesota holding a 21-14 advantage over the Bucks late in the first quarter.
He brought the🔨
Banchero wants to stay in the No. 7 spot in the East, and he’s making it known with his 21-point, 7-rebound effort thus far, which includes this emphatic slam,
“Banchero drops the hammer!” 💥 pic.twitter.com/NhfhvGo8a6
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 9, 2025
Trae Young is also doing what he can for the Hawks, scoring 16 thus far, while Onyeka Okongwu has added 13, along with six boards, three assists, and two steals.
These teams are now at the break, with the Magic up 66-57.
🔦Shooting laser beams
Darius Garland is having himself a game thus far, scoring 16 points and dishing out three assists, including this dart to De’Andre Hunter,
WHAT A LOOK! @dariusgarland22 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/4c8GfGljfM
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 9, 2025
With Donovan Mitchell out of action, it’s not only Garland who is stepping up but also Ty Jerome, who has supplied 15 points off the bench, while Evan Mobley has added 13 to go with five rebounds and three assists.
Cleveland can clinch the No. 1 seed in the East with a win and appear to be on their way with a 68-48 lead over the Bulls at halftime.
It’s Towns’ town🌃
Karl-Anthony Towns is putting in work early for the Knicks, and his 12 quick points have aided New York’s 20-12 lead over Boston.
8 straight for KAT.
10-0 run for NYK on TNT!NYK can clinch the East’s #3 seed tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/flAazFU7LD
— NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2025
Towns also has three rebounds, while Jalen Brunson has chipped in four.
More Ja🎞️
After showing off his speed to the rim, Morant shows off the hops, getting way up on the lob from Scotty Pippen Jr.,
Throw it up Scotty Pippen Jr…
Ja will throw it down! pic.twitter.com/2Itlbj1fmf
— NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2025
Memphis’ lead has expanded to 49-32 over Charlotte at the midpoint of the second quarter.
☄️Putting on the afterburners☄️
The Grizzlies have raced out to a 33-18 lead over the Hornets after a quarter of play.
Also, racing at the speed of the Grizzlies’ ability to put up points is Ja Morant, who turns it up a gear, blows by the defender, and gets the layup.
“You look in the dictionary and you look up QUICK and FAST…”
Ja Morant is that guy 💨💨💨 pic.twitter.com/uo1t7weuEz
— NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2025
Morant has nine points and four assists so far for Memphis, while Desmond Bane leads the team with 10 points.
⛷️Getting downhill⛷️
Orlando and Atlanta are in a battle for the top spot in the East play-in, with Orlando holding a 20-15 advantage late in the first quarter.
A big part of the Magic’s lead is the 10 points supplied by Paolo Banchero, and you can see him here getting downhill, fighting through traffic, and making the tough bucket,
6’10” 250 pic.twitter.com/L6TNl1HQ3N
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 8, 2025
📖Key stories for tonight📖
The Eastern Conference playoff field is set, but some seeds have yet to be planted. This is especially the case with the play-in tournament. Orlando is currently holding the No. 7 seed, while Atlanta sits one game back in the No. 8 spot. These teams have split the season series thus far 1-1, so whoever comes out on top this evening will be seventh in the East. If it is Atlanta, they’ll have an identical record to Orlando but own the tiebreaker. If it’s the Magic, they’ll move to a two-game lead over the Hawks and take a step closer to securing the top seed in the East play-in.
There is still room to move at the top of the Eastern conference as well, but the top seeds may be locked in place after this evening’s action. The Celtics could still mathematically take the No. 1 seed from the Cavaliers, while the Pacers could still take the No. 3 seed from the Knicks. However, the Cavaliers could clinch first in the East with a win over the Bulls tonight. The Celtics would then be locked in the No. 2 seed in the East with a loss or a Cleveland win. The Knicks will clinch 3rd with a win or a Pacers loss.
The middle of the Western Conference remains packed, with just two games separating the No. 3 through No. 8 seeds. The Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies all share identical 46-32 records, populating the fifth through eighth positions, and all four of those teams are in action tonight. Depending on who wins and who loses, a major shakeup of the standings could occur, which will likely be a nightly event leading up to the season’s final regular-season games Sunday.
Looking closer at tonight’s ramifications in the West:
The Clippers will remain 5th with a win and could drop as low as 8th with a loss.
The Grizzlies could jump to 5th with a win and would remain in 8th with a loss.
The Timberwolves could leap as high as 4th with a win or fall to as low as 8th with a loss.
The Warriors could rise as high as 5th with a win or drop as low as 8th with a loss.
