Detroit Pistons 100, New York Knicks 94 (Final)
Los Angeles Clippers 105, Denver Nuggets 102 (Final)
🔝 Top NBA Playoffs takeaways tonight
- Road warriors: Both road teams captured victories Monday night to even their respective series with the Pistons and Clippers banking important wins. The Pistons got huge performances out of Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris while Dennis Schröder came up big off the bench and buried the decisive three late. In Denver, we had a wild back-and-forth contest where the stars were at their best. Nikola Jokić had a triple-double but Kawhi Leonard had all the answers on the other end with 39. The table is set for two pivotal Game 3’s in Detroit and LA on Thursday.
- Kawhi shines as Clippers even series vs Nuggets: Game 1 of the Clippers-Nuggets series was an instant classic that set the bar high going into Game 2 on Monday night. This game delivered the goods, and though it ended in regulation, it was every bit as thrilling and intense as the opener. Kawhi Leonard dropped 39 points on 15-for-19 shooting to help the Clippers avoid the dreaded 0-2 series deficit. He added a pair of steals and had just one turnover after committing an uncharacteristic seven in Game 1.
- Pistons get first playoff win since 2008: With tonight’s thrilling win at the Garden, the Pistons snapped the longest playoff win drought in league history. They hadn’t won a playoff game since the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals. That streak is now history, though, as Cade Cunningham and Co. are the present and the future in the Motor City. The Pistons now head back to Detroit with the series even at one game apiece, setting up a massive Game 3 on Thursday night.
🥇 Top NBA performers tonight
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers: 39 points on 15-19 FG in win over the Nuggets. He became the 14th player in NBA history to score at least 39 points on at least 75 percent shooting in a playoff game. The last player with such a game was Devin Booker, who had 47 points on 80 percent shooting in the second round of the 2023 playoffs. That also came against the Nuggets
- Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons: 33 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals in the series-tying win over the Knicks.
- Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals against the Clippers. That was his 19th career playoff triple-double, which ranks 3rd all-time.
🚤 Clippers even series in Game 2 thriller
Kawhi Leonard put on the cape as the Clippers held on to win 105-102 in Denver
Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets did enough to win Monday but, in the end, it was Kawhi Leonard’s night. Leonard seemingly couldn’t miss all night. He hit his first six shots from the floor and finished with 39 points on 15-19 FG.
There have been just 13 other instances in NBA Playoffs history where a player scored at least 39 points on at least 75 percent shooting.
This game had it all. 18 lead changes with eight coming in the fourth quarter. 12 ties. No lead larger than eight points. A Joker triple-double. Clutch threes on both sides. And a Kawhi Leonard classic.
The series now heads back to Los Angeles knotted up at one game apiece. Game 3 is set for Thursday night at the Intuit Dome. We’ll see you there.
KAWHI LEONARD WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE FINAL MINUTE!!
Game-icing bucket 🧊
Elite defense in multiple places 🔒
CLIPPERS WIN TO EVEN THE SERIES 1-1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QXPSQx159x
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
🔥🔥🔥
We’re fresh out of words to describe this game. Get in front of the TV to catch the final minute as the Clippers try to hang onto a one-point lead on the road in Denver.
NORM POWELL. ICE IN HIS VEINS 🥶 pic.twitter.com/HaJpt9aTe0
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 22, 2025
🚨Crunch time in Denver
The Clippers and Nuggets are tied up as we get under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter. There have been 17 lead changes and 11 ties so far, and neither team has led by more than eight points.
Nikola Jokić has a triple-double. Kawhi Leonard has 35 points on 83 percent shooting.
It’s getting wild out here. Tap in.
JOKIĆ TO MPJ FOR THE TIE 🔥🔥
JOKER’S GOT A TRIPLE-DOUBLE IN GAME 2!!
It’s 96-96 with 4:11 to go on TNT! pic.twitter.com/TDsCn3rytr
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
With the assist, Jokić now has 19 playoff triple-doubles. Pretty good.
Elite company for Nikola Jokić 👏👏 https://t.co/ZAkJ3gZ1Ss pic.twitter.com/EnI2IGmxLc
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
🦸♂ Russ to the rescue
Denver’s Russell Westbrook has drilled a pair of corner 3’s in the fourth quarter to help keep Denver in the game against Los Angeles. Russ had some big moments in Denver’s Game 1 victory and is coming through in the clutch yet again.
We’re knotted up at 89 mid-way through the fourth on TNT. Join us.
Big triple from 4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/aRffT5HrbF
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 22, 2025
🎛️ Kawhi. Dialed.
Kawhi Leonard continues to put on a clinic tonight with 32 points on 12-for-13 shooting, including this swish from deep to extend LA’s lead.
KAWHI LEONARD IS A MACHINE!!!!
HE’S GOT 32 PTS ON 12-13 FGM 🤯
Clippers lead by 6 with 9:58 remaining in Game 2 on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/kLNPtrqBUj
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
⌛4th quarter time
Clippers 78, Nuggets 76
We’ve got an incredible game brewing at Ball Arena with all the star power and intensity a fan could ask for. The Clippers got out to their largest lead of the game (7) late in the third, but the Nuggets mitigated the damage with a quick run of their own to cut the deficit to two going into the final period.
Nikola Jokić had 10 of his 18 points in the third quarter and is starting to heat up.
We’ve been treated to some beautiful basketball on both sides tonight, like this wild sequence from the Clippers.
ALL OF THIS SEQUENCE>>>>>> https://t.co/QfWCJEbSes pic.twitter.com/xSlZoHTA0E
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 22, 2025
Game 1 set the bar high for this series, but Game 2 looks like it could top it if the fourth quarter is as good as it’s shaping up to be. Catch the finish now on TNT, tru TV or MAX.
🕺James Harden putting on the moves
James Harden had everybody fooled on this pump fake, which sent two Nuggets defenders flying past him and created a wide-open look that the Beard was not going to miss.
Harden has hit three triples and is up to 15 points on the night.
James Harden pump fakes his way to the open 3 👌
Clippers/Nuggets BATTLING in the 3Q!
Game 2 action on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/j16ZTnST46
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
🌴Clips take lead into half
Clippers 55, Nuggets 52
Kawhi Leonard is having a vintage night in Game 2 with 21 first-half points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field, including a buzzer beater to give the Clippers the lead going into halftime.
Denver looked to be on the verge of taking control in the middle of the second quarter but the Clippers fought their way off the deck thanks in large part to Leonard.
The Clippers also sorted out their fast break woes after a tough first quarter in which the Nuggets racked up 14 points in transition. Now at the half, that number remains at 14.
Buckle up. We’ve got a heck of a second half coming up on TNT.
VINTAGE CLAW 👏
Kawhi’s got 21 PTS and an @LAClippers lead heading into the half! pic.twitter.com/ZVe5TihFKi
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 22, 2025
How’d he do that? 😳
Oh, and with that ridiculous first half, Leonard has now surpassed 3,000 career playoff points which puts him 29th all-time. If the Clippers can make a run, Leonard has a chance to crack the top 25 during these playoffs.
3,000 career points in the #NBAPlayoffs for Kawhi Leonard 👏@CoorsLight | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/kvTo9vVDBw
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 22, 2025
🖐 Kawhi’s on fire
Los Angeles’ Kawhi Leonard sunk his first six shots of the game and leads all scorers with 18 as we approach the 2:00 minute mark in the second. Leonard helped spark a 7-0 run that took all of 40 seconds as the Clippers went from down six to up one.
and he does it again… Kawhi Leonard for 2⃣! https://t.co/fu48rMySbJ pic.twitter.com/QGUEuwnpTK
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 22, 2025
🔥Nuggets finish first quarter with flourish
Nuggets 31, Clippers 25
Denver extended its lead to six points with a barrage to end the first quarter. Denver’s ability to get out in transition has been a differentiator thus far. The Nuggets have 14 fast break points on five forced turnovers. They have also done a great job spreading the wealth with eight different scorers in the first 12 minutes.
Full speed ahead pic.twitter.com/WVAG7Nyxxl
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 22, 2025
On the other side, Kawhi Leonard looks locked in for LA. Leonard has a game-high 12 points and is perfect from the floor and the stripe thus far.
Tune in now to catch the second quarter of Nuggets vs Clippers.
Detroit evens series at 1-1😤🍿
The Pistons rebound from a tough opener to take a physical 100-94 win over the Knicks in Game 2 at MSG. Dennis Schröder was huge down the stretch with this dagger 3, then stepped up to hit one of two free throws with 8.1 seconds left to seal the victory. He finished with 20 points (6-10 FG, 5-6 FT) with three made 3s, 2 rebounds and 3 assists in almost 30 minutes as a reserve.
Cade Cunningham was brilliant all night, going for 33 points (11-21 FG, 10-12 FT), 12 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals in 42 minutes. Tobias Harris (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Jalen Duren (12 points, 13 rebounds) each recorded a double-double to lead Detroit to a 53-44 advantage on the glass.
MASSIVE GO-AHEAD TRIPLE FOR THE PISTONS 🎯
Dennis Schröder with the CLUTCH bucket to give Detroit the lead in the final seconds!
DET-NYK Game 2 on TNT. pic.twitter.com/1h1t8kKYkD
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
Jalen Brunson scored 30+ for the second straight time in the series, as he recorded a game-high 37 points and 7 assists on 12-for-27 shooting (4-12 3PT, 9-11 FT). Mikal Bridges was New York’s second leading scorer with 19 points (8-18 FG, 3-11 3PT) in 38 minutes, while Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby had 10 apiece.
KAT was scoreless in the second half and didn’t have a shot attempt in the fourth quarter. New York will have to scheme up a way to get him the ball and more scoring opportunities in Game 3 on Thursday night in Detroit.
⛰️ Nuggets vs Clippers Game 2 preview
Tonight we get a great encore after the Nuggets and Clippers gave fans an uber-entertaining Game 1 on Saturday. The Nuggets took the Clippers’ best punch and found a way to come out on top in overtime. There were several lead changes late in the fourth quarter and the sequence where Russell Westbrook canned a three to go up two followed by James Harden’s shot to tie it was memorable.
Nikola Jokić went for 29 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds while logging three steals for the Nuggets. The aforementioned Westbrook was key with 15 points and eight boards off the bench.
The Clippers certainly played well enough to win, which should give them confidence going into Monday but it’s hard to escape the feeling that they let a 15-point lead slip away on the road. James Harden went for 32 points and Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac each scored over 20 on a combined 63 percent shooting from the floor.
Clippers first five 🌇😎
Los Angeles is ready for their shot to even this First Round series with Denver, and they’ll rely on their trio of stars in Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac again, who combined for 75 of the Clippers’ 110 points on Saturday.
Norman Powell was solid with 12 points and 4 assists in the Game 1 loss, but he’ll look to bounce back from a tough night shooting it (5-14 FG) over 37 minutes.
Starting 5⃣ vs. @nuggets
🏀 James Harden🏀 Kris Dunn🏀 Norman Powell🏀 Kawhi Leonard
🏀 Ivica Zubac pic.twitter.com/XrZJ5iAeXL
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 22, 2025
Denver starters for Game 2🏞️
The Nuggets will start Game 2 exactly how they did in the series opening win over the Clippers. Nikola Jokić put up a team-high 29 points and 12 assists along with 9 rebounds, 3 steals and a block in Game 1, and Jamal Murray was terrific with 21 points, 9 boards and 7 assists.
Aaron Gordon was stellar in his own right for Denver, popping for 25 points (8-14 FG, 8-10 FT), 8 rebounds and 2 steals in 46 minutes. He’ll look to keep it rolling when the Nuggets and Clippers tip-off at 10:00 ET on TNT, tru TV and Max!
Starting 🖐#MileHighPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RizRNmdccc
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 22, 2025
Pistons up after 3Q🍿🤩
Detroit upped the physicality in the second half to take a 75-67 lead heading to the final quarter. New York used a 14-7 run to close the third, and they’ll go into the fourth with an 8-point deficit for the second straight game.
Cade is up to 29 points and 9 boards in 32 minutes, while Tobias Harris has chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. Jalen Brunson is the high man for the Knicks with 26 points (8-19 FGs) and 6 assists.
The fourth quarter is live now on TNT, tru TV and Max!
DEUCE MCBRIDE BANKS IT IN AS THE SHOT CLOCK EXPIRES 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Nea9hNC2Gl
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 22, 2025
MotorCade comin’ through💪🤯
Cade Cunningham has been unstoppable for the Pistons, getting to wherever he wants to on the court. He’s been aggressive and in attack mode tonight, and he now has a game-high 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, 9 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Knicks have struggled in the third quarter, shooting just 1-for-11 overall (1-4 3PT), and they’ve only attempted 4 free throws (two makes) compared to 20 for the Pistons (16-20 FT). Detroit is on an 11-0 run and thus have pushed their lead to 68-53 with 4:55 left in the third.
Tune in for the rest of the frame on TNT, tru TV and Max to see if New York can get into a groove over the final five minutes.
CADE COMING THROUGH!!
The Pistons star takes it coast-to-coast and goes behind-the-back along the way 😮💨
DET leading NYK midway through 3 in Game 2 on TNT! pic.twitter.com/M70NMda8Rv
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
Detroit holds 55-49 lead at half😤
The Pistons have answered the call after losing Game 1 in deflating fashion (allowed 21-0 run in 4th). It has started with their All-Star point guard in Cade Cunningham, who leads his squad in scoring (20) and rebounding (7) on 7-for-12 shooting in 20 first-half minutes.
Jalen Duren has stayed out of foul trouble (0 PF) in 18 solid minutes, racking up 8 points (2-3 FG, 4-4 FT), 6 boards, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Tobias Harris and Dennis Schröder have 9 apiece to help Detroit take a 55-49 lead into halftime.
20 FIRST-HALF POINTS FOR MOTORCADE 🔥
He and the @DetroitPistons lead at the break on TNT! pic.twitter.com/epCjsMMgI1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 22, 2025
Jalen Brunson has been stellar again after dropping 34 points in Game 1, as he’s poured in 17 points with 4 dimes on 6-for-11 from the field. Mikal Bridges finished the second frame strong to give him 13 points (6-10 FG) and 3 steals in 19 minutes, and Josh Hart grabbed 3 boards and dished out 5 assists with one made 3.
NEED THAT pic.twitter.com/Y0i53CmSO9
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 22, 2025
Pistons-Knicks trading buckets🔥
Detroit and New York are battling in Madison Square Garden in Game 2, as we’ve seen two ties and eight lead changes before halftime. Cade Cunningham is up to 17 points (6-9 FGs) and 7 boards in 16 minutes, and Tobias Harris is off to another hot start with 9 points (4-6 FGs) and 3 rebounds.
Brunson & Cade in a point guard BATTLE in Game 2!
Brunson: 13 PTS, 3 3PM
Cade: 17 PTS, 7 REB
We’re in the 2Q on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/hHWjQmSWZb
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks with 13 points and three made 3s, while Karl-Anthony Towns has chipped in 10 points and 2 boards on 5-for-8 shooting.
The Pistons have jumped out to a 48-35 lead with 4:29 remaining in the first half.
Detroit & New York going back-n-forth from range 🎯 pic.twitter.com/KrgpkJPrin
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 22, 2025
Bridges with the wild oop😮
Mikal Bridges gets up for a ridiculous finish off the alley-oop from Josh Hart. Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have 6 points apiece to lead the Knicks, and Jalen Brunson has 4 points, 2 assists and a steal in 10 minutes.
WHAT A FINISH BY BRIDGES 🔥
A one-handed alley-oop reverse layup!!!
Pistons/Knicks going back-and-forth in Game 2 on TNT! pic.twitter.com/QePD2FitZC
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
Cade Cunningham leads Detroit with 8 points (4-7 FGs) and 6 rebounds in 12 minutes, but has coughed the ball up four times already. Jalen Duren played well in his nine foul-free minutes, racking up 6 points (2-3 FGs), 3 boards and a block.
The Pistons lead the Knicks 25-18 after one quarter. Tune in live on TNT, tru TV and Max for the second quarter action!
a BIG DAWG jam pic.twitter.com/dsImAekCgm
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 22, 2025
🗽 Knicks vs Pistons Game 2 preview
The Knicks are looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the upstart Pistons tonight at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons looked to be up to the challenge despite their inexperience in Game 1, but the fourth quarter showed there is room for improvement as they were outscored 40-21 in the final period.
Cade Cunningham had to work hard for his 21 points as he went 8-for-21 from the floor and 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. The Pistons, overall, shot extremely well from deep, however. They connected on 15 of 32 attempts from downtown. It will be worth monitoring whether the Pistons can keep that up tonight as defending the three was a weak point for the Knicks during the regular season. With shooters like Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr., Detroit could keep pace tonight if the three ball is working.
The Knicks showed impressive resolve in turning an 8-point deficit going into the fourth quarter into an 11-point victory. The 21-0 run will be remembered if the Knicks are able to win the series. Jalen Brunson was outstanding with 34 points and eight assists. Cameron Payne had 11 fourth-quarter points to help stoke the aforementioned run as well.
Game 1 provided a good snapshot of how these teams match up. Game 2 has raised stakes as a 2-0 lead would give the Knicks a great shot at winning the series according to historical trends.
Starters for Detroit⚙️🤩
The Pistons will stick with the same starting lineup from their Game 1 loss on Saturday. Cade Cunningham has been the driving force behind Detroit’s success on offense throughout the regular season, and he’ll look to put his rough shooting night behind him as they look to even the series before heading back home for Games 3 and 4.
Tobias Harris had a strong showing in his playoff debut with Detroit, dropping 25 points (8-13 FG, 4-5 3PT), 6 rebounds and 2 blocks in 40 minutes. He was one of three Pistons to reach the 20-point mark, joining Cunningham and Malik Beasley (20). Keep an eye on Jalen Duren and foul trouble, which limited him to just 25 minutes.
Tonight’s starting five | @Kia pic.twitter.com/pkw1b0FdfO
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 21, 2025
First five for Knicks😎🗽
New York looks to take the 2-0 series lead heading back to Detroit, and they’ll send out their star-studded first unit headlined by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns did a bit of everything in Game 1 with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks while shooting 10-for-14 from the floor.
OG Anunoby matched KAT with 23 of his own, adding 7 boards, 5 steals and 2 blocks in his 44 minutes.
let’s get it 😤 pic.twitter.com/u6qCzQG353
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 21, 2025
⛰️ Nuggets vs Clippers Game 2 preview
Tonight we get a great encore after the Nuggets and Clippers gave fans an uber-entertaining Game 1 on Saturday. The Nuggets took the Clippers’ best punch and found a way to come out on top in overtime. There were several lead changes late in the fourth quarter and the sequence where Russell Westbrook canned a three to go up two followed by James Harden’s shot to tie it was memorable.
Nikola Jokić went for 29 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds while logging three steals for the Nuggets. The aforementioned Westbrook was key with 15 points and eight boards off the bench.
The Clippers certainly played well enough to win, which should give them confidence going into Monday but it’s hard to escape the feeling that they let a 15-point lead slip away on the road. James Harden went for 32 points and Kawhi Leonard and Ivica Zubac each scored over 20 on a combined 63 percent shooting from the floor.
👉 NBA storylines tonight
- A pair of important Game 2’s: Game 2 is often a big indicator of how the rest of the series will unfold. Teams that go up 2-0 in first-round series go on win the series at a whopping 93.5 percent clip. That means the Knicks and Nuggets have a chance to take charge of their respective series tonight.
- Knicks vs Pistons leads it off: New York and Detroit tip off at 7:30 for the first Game 2 of this year’s postseason. Game 1 was a battle through three quarters with the Pistons taking a 91-83 lead into the final period. The Knicks dug deep in front of the home crowd and mounted a 21-0 run to take control and ultimately win the series opener. Cameron Payne was huge off the bench with 14 points and a +23 rating.
- Nuggets vs Clippers in the nightcap: Arguably the most competitive game from the weekend was Game 1 between the Nuggets and Clippers. As you can see below, the Clippers controlled the game throughout…until they didn’t. Denver battled back in the fourth quarter and forced overtime, where they managed to escape Game 1 with a win.
