James Harden and Paul George mixed for 66 factors because the Los Angeles Clippers survived an epic Dallas comeback bid to tie their NBA playoff sequence, as New York took a 3-1 lead over Philadelphia because of Jalen Brunson’s 47 factors.
The Clippers squared their best-of-seven Western Convention first-round sequence at 2-2 with a 116-111 triumph in Dallas, however not earlier than the Mavs erased a 31-point deficit in an exciting comeback on Sunday.
George scored 26 of his 33 factors within the first half to assist the Clippers construct their massive lead regardless of the injury-forced absence of Kawhi Leonard.
Harden scored 15 of his 33 within the fourth quarter when Dallas – led by the star duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic – threatened to match the largest comeback win in NBA playoff historical past.
Irving scored 40 factors for Dallas, together with a driving layup by visitors with 2:14 to play that gave the Mavs their first lead because the first quarter at 104-103.
Doncic delivered a triple-double of 29 factors plus 10 rebounds and 10 assists, however within the waning minutes, it was George, Harden and the Clippers who got here by.
George made his first basket of the second half, a three-pointer, to place the Clippers again up 107-105 with 1:55 to play.
🏆 SUNDAY’S FINAL SCORES 🏆
Jalen Brunson scores a playoff career-high 47 factors and wills the @nyknicks to victory in Sport 4!
OG Anunoby: 16 PTS, 14 REB, 3 BLK
Miles McBride: 13 PTS, 3 3PM, 4 REB
Joel Embiid: 27 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 3 STLSport 5: Tuesday, 7:00pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/H9kZMWfjm6
— NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2024
In Philadelphia, Brunson broke the New York franchise file for factors in a playoff recreation and added 10 assists because the Knicks pushed reigning NBA Most Useful Participant Joel Embiid and the Sixers to the brink of elimination of their Jap Convention sequence.
OG Anunoby had 16 factors and 14 rebounds whereas placing in a formidable defensive effort in opposition to Embiid.
Embiid led Philadelphia with 27 factors and 10 rebounds whereas Tyrese Maxey added 23 factors.
With an opportunity to clinch the sequence at residence on Tuesday, Brunson was not fascinated by reflecting on his franchise file.
“I’ll look again once I retire,” he mentioned.
“Severely, it’s nice proper now, helped us get a win. But it surely’s not going to do something for us going ahead.”
In Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers drilled 22 three-pointers in a 126-113 victory over the short-handed Milwaukee Bucks to take a 3-1 sequence lead.
Myles Turner hit a playoff profession excessive of seven three-pointers on the best way to 29 factors and Tyrese Haliburton added 24 factors for the Pacers, who had six gamers in double figures.
The Pacers had been brutally environment friendly from past the arc, connecting on higher than 51 p.c of their makes an attempt.
The Bucks, with celebrity Giannis Antetokounmpo nonetheless sidelined by a calf harm, had been additionally with out injured Damian Lillard and noticed Bobby Portis ejected within the first quarter after a scuffle with Andrew Nembhard after the 2 tangled beneath the basket.
Brook Lopez scored 27 factors and Khris Middleton, who tweaked an ankle within the third quarter however stayed within the recreation, had 25 for the Bucks, who will attempt to keep alive after they host recreation 5 on Tuesday.
Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns had been eradicated at residence within the remaining recreation of the night time because the Minnesota Timberwolves accomplished a four-game sweep.
Anthony Edwards scored 31 of his 40 factors within the second half in a 122-116 victory.
Edwards made seven 3-pointers and had 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the third-seeded Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Cities added 28 factors and 10 rebounds as Minnesota received a playoff sequence for the primary time in 20 years.
“I knew we had an opportunity to brush them and why would we wish to return to Minnesota,” Edwards mentioned after the sport.
“We all know the recipe. They got here out and competed. They performed laborious tonight.”
The @Timberwolves advance to the Western Convention Semifinals!#NBAPlayoffs offered by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/xxFN5ZojEc
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2024
NBA playoff outcomes on Sunday, April 28:
New York 97, Philadelphia 92 – New York lead sequence 3-1
LA Clippers 116, Dallas 111 – sequence tied 2-2
Indiana 126, Milwaukee 113 – Indiana lead sequence 3-1
Minnesota 122, Phoenix 116 – Minnesota win sequence 4-0