This NBA playoff season has seen a remarkable trend: teams mounting dramatic comebacks from 20-point deficits to win. It’s happening so frequently, it’s almost becoming routine. Over the past few days, the NBA witnessed three back-to-back games where the trailing team clawed its way back from a 20-point deficit to steal the win.

For the first time since play-by-play tracking began in 1997, there have been three consecutive days in which a playoff team came from at least 20 points down to secure the victory. The New York Knicks did it on Monday and Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, while the Indiana Pacers pulled off a thrilling comeback on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Add to that a 29-point rally from Oklahoma City in the first round, and we’re up to five 20-point comebacks in this postseason — a new record for the digital play-by-play era.

Here’s a breakdown of how these incredible rallies unfolded:

April 24: Oklahoma City Turns a 29-Point Deficit Into a Win

• The Big Lead: Memphis 69, Oklahoma City 40 (3:07 left in the 1st half)
• Final Score: Oklahoma City 114, Memphis 108

How it happened: Memphis looked poised to dominate after taking a massive 29-point lead. But everything changed when Memphis’ star, Ja Morant, left the game after the Grizzlies hit their peak. The Thunder capitalized on the injury, outscoring Memphis 74-39 in the second half. Chet Holmgren played a pivotal role, contributing 23 points during the comeback. Memphis, meanwhile, struggled to find the basket, missing 30 of their final 41 shots.

April 29: Indiana Overcomes a 20-Point Deficit to Shock the Bucks

• The Big Lead: Milwaukee 33, Indiana 13 (11:26 left in the 1st half)
• Final Score: Indiana 119, Milwaukee 118 (Overtime)

How it happened: The Pacers cut the lead to six by halftime, setting up an exciting second half. With just 40 seconds left in overtime, the Bucks led by seven, but Indiana surged back with an 8-0 run, capped by Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning layup with just 1.4 seconds remaining. The Pacers’ gritty performance allowed them to steal the win, giving them a 2-0 series lead.

Monday: Knicks Rally from 20 Down to Stun Boston in Overtime

• The Big Lead: Boston 75, New York 55 (5:47 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Final Score: New York 108, Boston 105 (Overtime)

How it happened: After Boston opened up a 20-point lead, they couldn’t sustain their momentum. The Celtics’ shooting faltered as they made just 23% of their shots (9 for 39) and struggled with the three-pointer (6 for 28). The Knicks, led by OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson, kept fighting and outscored Boston 39-30 during the comeback. The game went into overtime, but neither team scored for the last 1:16 of play. Eventually, the Knicks finished strong and pulled off the victory.

Tuesday: Indiana Rallies from 20 Down Again, This Time to Defeat Cleveland

• The Big Lead: Cleveland 81, Indiana 61 (6:51 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Final Score: Indiana 120, Cleveland 119

How it happened: The Pacers’ chances seemed slim as they trailed by 20 in the third quarter. But Indiana fought back, outscoring Cleveland 59-38 in the final stretch. With just 1.1 seconds left, Tyrese Haliburton sank a clutch three-pointer to cap an 8-0 run, securing the victory. Remarkably, Indiana led for only a fraction of the game’s final moments — but it was enough to claim a pivotal 2-0 series lead.

Wednesday: Knicks Complete Another 20-Point Comeback, Lead Series 2-0

• The Big Lead: Boston 73, New York 53 (2:19 left in the 3rd quarter)
• Final Score: New York 91, Boston 90

How it happened: The Celtics, just like in Game 1, had a commanding 20-point lead but couldn’t seal the deal. The Knicks turned the tide, outscoring Boston 38-17 in the final 14 minutes. The Celtics missed 20 of their last 25 shots, including a dreadful 2 for 12 from beyond the arc. Jayson Tatum’s last-ditch attempt to win the game was blocked, allowing the Knicks to finish strong and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

These remarkable comebacks have kept fans on the edge of their seats and show that anything can happen in the NBA playoffs. Teams that seem to be out of the game are proving that it’s never over until the final buzzer. With these jaw-dropping rallies continuing to set records, this postseason is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Stay tuned for more updates on these thrilling NBA playoff comebacks!

Source: AP News – The year of the NBA playoff comeback continues. A look at how these 20-point rallies keep happening

The post 20-Point Comebacks Are Changing the NBA Playoffs This Year appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

INGLEWOOD, Calif.  — In a thrilling Game 4, Aaron Gordon made NBA history with a buzzer-beating dunk that sealed the Denver Nuggets’ 101-99 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, tying the playoff series at 2-2.

As time expired, Nikola Jokic launched a turnaround three-pointer over Ivica Zubac, but it missed the mark. Enter Gordon, who soared in to slam home the rebound, delivering the game-winning dunk. The referees initially ruled the basket good, and after a quick review, it was confirmed that Gordon’s dunk had left his hands just before the buzzer sounded.

“It was a nice pass,” Gordon joked about Jokic’s airball. Jokic, for his part, had been less optimistic as he watched his shot miss. “This is going to be bad,” he admitted after seeing the ball sail past the rim.

The dramatic play marked the first game-winning, buzzer-beating dunk in NBA playoff history since the 1997-98 season, a rare feat that thrilled the Nuggets and left the Clippers reeling.

Referee Zach Zarba explained the review process, stating that the key focus was whether the ball had left Gordon’s hand before the red light went on. “It has to be out of his hand when that red light is on,” Zarba clarified.

For Denver, the victory was bittersweet. They had squandered a 22-point lead earlier in the game, but Gordon’s clutch dunk spared them from an agonizing loss. “I’m glad it’ll be a Nugget day, not a Clipper day,” said Denver’s interim coach David Adelman.

It was another gut-punch for the Clippers, who had already suffered a crushing overtime defeat in Game 1. “It’s still a series, best-of-three,” said Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, remaining hopeful despite the heartbreaking loss.

The game was a back-and-forth affair in the final minutes. The Clippers grabbed their first lead of the game at 97-96 on an offensive rebound and basket by Bogdan Bogdanovic. But Jokic’s free throw and a quick basket put the Nuggets back ahead at 99-97, before Zubac’s basket tied it once more.

The physicality picked up late, with a skirmish near the end of the first half leading to six technical fouls, including one on Jokic. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Clippers mounted a strong comeback, outscoring the Nuggets 34-16 to narrow the gap. But Gordon’s game-winner erased their hopes.

Jokic, the reigning MVP, had another monster game, finishing with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists. Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun also contributed with 17 points each. Meanwhile, Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points, supported by Norman Powell’s 22 and Ivica Zubac’s 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The game saw tempers flare, with a mid-court melee in the closing seconds involving both teams. While the scuffle didn’t escalate to punches, it led to multiple technicals, including on Jokic, Gordon, and Braun for the Nuggets, and Harden, Powell, and Kris Dunn for the Clippers. The heated moment sparked chants of “Throw him out!” from the Clippers’ fans, but the Nuggets held their ground.

The game had started with a strong showing by Denver, who led by two at halftime before exploding in the third quarter, outscoring the Clippers 35-17 to take an 85-65 lead into the final frame.

The series now heads back to Denver for Game 5 on Monday, where both teams will battle it out in what promises to be another intense showdown. “This is going to be a dogfight every single game,” Powell warned, setting the stage for a tense finish to the series.

Injuries were a factor for the Clippers, as Russell Westbrook sat out with left foot inflammation, but they still had enough firepower to push the Nuggets to the brink.

As both teams prepare for Game 5, the series is anyone’s for the taking — and with history already written, the excitement is far from over.

Source: AP News – Aaron Gordon’s historic dunk at buzzer lifts Nuggets over Clippers 101-99 and ties series 2-2

The post Aaron Gordon’s Game-Winning Dunk Shocks Clippers, Ties Series 2-2 appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

In what was nothing short of an extraordinary performance, Nikola Jokić delivered a historic 61-point triple-double in the Denver Nuggets’ heartbreaking 140-139 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Even by Jokić’s towering standards, his incredible feat was one for the ages.

The three-time NBA MVP finished with 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, making history as the first player to score 61 points in a triple-double. This also set a new career-high for the Serbian superstar and marked the most points scored by any player this season. However, despite Jokić’s brilliance, the Nuggets fell just short in a wild double-overtime thriller.

Jokić’s performance is especially remarkable considering he’s now only the second player in NBA history, after Wilt Chamberlain in 1963, to lose a game despite posting at least 50 points in a triple-double. This isn’t the first time the big man has rewritten the record books this month—back in early March, he also posted the first-ever 30-20-20 triple-double in league history.

After the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone referred to Jokić as “Superman,” acknowledging the incredible effort put forth by his star player. However, it was a devastating end to a game full of drama. With the score tied in the final moments of double overtime, Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit two free throws to seal the Timberwolves’ victory.

A tense sequence unfolded just before that, when Russell Westbrook made a crucial steal for Denver but missed a wide-open layup. To add insult to injury, Westbrook fouled Alexander-Walker on a three-point attempt as time expired, giving the Timberwolves guard three free throws to win the game. Alexander-Walker made the first two and deliberately missed the third to let the clock run out with only 0.2 seconds remaining.

“I feel awful for him,” Malone said, empathizing with Westbrook. “When you put forth that kind of an effort, and you don’t get the result, I just feel bad for our guys.”

Despite the tough loss, Jokić’s record-breaking night further solidified his MVP case and underscored the challenges he faces with a lack of consistent help from his teammates. While Aaron Gordon chipped in with 30 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, the Nuggets couldn’t overcome Minnesota’s balanced scoring attack.

For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led the way with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Julius Randle and Alexander-Walker also contributed 26 points apiece, as six Minnesota players reached double figures. The win marked their third straight, pushing the Timberwolves to the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Nuggets held steady at No. 3.

Steph Curry Dazzles with 52-Point Performance in Warriors’ Win Over Grizzlies

In another unforgettable performance from a superstar, Steph Curry exploded for 52 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 134-125 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The 37-year-old sharpshooter drained 12 three-pointers and added 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals, and a block in a stat-stuffing display that highlighted his remarkable talent.

Curry’s 52 points marked his 15th career 50-point game, tying him with Damian Lillard for sixth all-time in that category. The performance also moved Curry ahead of Jerry West on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, landing him in 25th place.

“Fifty-two points with people draped all over him, all game long,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “The guy is amazing to watch.”

Curry’s brilliance, along with Jimmy Butler’s 27 points, helped the Warriors extend their win streak to three games. Golden State jumped ahead of Memphis into the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference, while the Grizzlies continue to slide with a fourth straight loss. Ja Morant led Memphis with 36 points in the defeat.

Tuesday’s NBA Scores:

• Phoenix Suns 123-133 Milwaukee Bucks
• Philadelphia 76ers 91-105 New York Knicks
• Portland Trail Blazers 127-113 Atlanta Hawks
• Golden State Warriors 134-125 Memphis Grizzlies
• Toronto Raptors 118-137 Chicago Bulls
• Orlando Magic 116-105 San Antonio Spurs
• Minnesota Timberwolves 140-139 (2OT) Denver Nuggets

The NBA continues to deliver thrilling performances, with superstars like Jokić and Curry proving time and again why they are the faces of the league.

Source: CNN – ‘Superman’ Nikola Jokić posts historic 61-point triple-double in Denver Nuggets defeat to Minnesota Timberwolves

The post Nikola Jokić Drops 61-Point Triple-Double in Heartbreaking Loss to Timberwolves appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.