The first round of the NBA 2025 Playoffs left two resounding pieces of news for basketball fans: the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves secured their passage to the semifinals of their respective conferences, while the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, were clearly eliminated.
At the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Timberwolves sealed their qualification with a 103-96 victory, giving them a 4-1 overall series lead. Rudy Gobert was the star with 27 points and 24 rebounds, taking advantage of the Lakers’ weakness inside, who traded Anthony Davis to Dallas in February.
Lakers without answers
Luka Doncic, who came to the Lakers as a mid-season bomb signing, was the leading home scorer with 28 points.
Although he played injured after receiving a heavy blow to his back.
LeBron contributed 22 units, but could not contain the momentum of the young Timberwolves, despite the discreet game of Anthony Edwards, who only scored 15 points and missed 11 three-pointers.
At a press conference, LeBron, 40, who finishes his 22nd NBA season after the Playoffs, was evasive about his future in the league:
No lo sé... Es algo que tengo que hablar con mi familia
LeBron James
Knicks advance
Buzzy
Meanwhile, at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, the Knicks outlasted the Pistons 116-113 to close out the series 4-2.
They qualified to the East Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Jalen Brunson, despite an ankle discomfort, shined with 40 points and 7 assists, including a decisive three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left.
Mikal Bridges scored 25 points and OG Anunoby 22, forming a lethal offensive trio.
Detroit, led by Cade Cunningham (23 points) and Malik Beasley, who hit 5 three-pointers in the second quarter, fought until the end, but could not avoid its 10th consecutive home loss in the postseason, a new negative record.
What’s next in the NBA Playoffs 2025:
The Knicks will face the Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated series beginning Monday in Boston.
For their part, the Timberwolves await their opponent in the Western Semifinals, confident after a series in which they showed physicality, cohesion and maturity.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
