The 2025 NBA Playoffs tipped off with drama, dominance, and a few surprises. From Minnesota’s stunning win in LA to Denver’s OT thriller, here’s how the first-round Game 1 openers played out across the league.
McDaniels, Timberwolves Silence Lakers with Blowout Upset
The Minnesota Timberwolves came into Crypto.com Arena as underdogs and left with a statement win, throttling the Lakers 117-95. Jaden McDaniels stole the show with a career-high 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting, while the Wolves buried a franchise-record 21 three-pointers to overwhelm the home team.
Luka Dončić, in his Lakers playoff debut, dropped 37 points—but it wasn’t enough. LeBron James was held scoreless in the first quarter and finished with 19. Anthony Edwards nearly posted a triple-double, and Naz Reid caught fire off the bench with six threes and 23 points.
With the win, Minnesota flips home-court advantage and heads into Game 2 with confidence soaring.
Nuggets Survive OT Battle as Clippers Push Champs to the Brink
The Denver Nuggets needed every ounce of championship grit to fend off the Clippers 112-110 in an overtime nail-biter. Nikola Jokic was nearly flawless again, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 29 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds.
Aaron Gordon added 25 points and made several key plays down the stretch. But the X-factor? Russell Westbrook. The veteran nailed a clutch three to tie it late in regulation and came up with a critical defensive play in OT to seal it.
James Harden led LA with 32 points and 11 assists, while Kawhi Leonard scored 27 but committed seven turnovers. This one’s shaping up to be a slugfest of a series.
Knicks Flip the Script with 21-0 Run to Stun Pistons
The New York Knicks looked like they were on the ropes… until they unleashed a jaw-dropping 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to steal Game 1 from the Detroit Pistons, 123-112.
Jalen Brunson caught fire late, scoring 23 of his 34 points in the second half. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby added 23 apiece as the Knicks turned a close contest into a sudden rout.
Detroit, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, held an 8-point lead heading into the final quarter. Cade Cunningham (21 points, 12 assists) and Tobias Harris (25 points) kept things competitive—until they didn’t.
Game 2 will test how quickly the young Pistons can bounce back from their late collapse.
Pacers Blow Past Bucks in Milwaukee Without Lillard
Indiana wasted no time taking control of their series, running the Bucks out of the gym 117-98 in Game 1. Pascal Siakam led the charge with 25 points, while Tyrese Haliburton dished 12 assists and orchestrated a near-flawless offense that committed only five turnovers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo battled with 36 points and 12 boards, but Milwaukee was missing Damian Lillard—and it showed. The rest of the Bucks’ starters combined for just 14 points, offering little support for their superstar.
The Pacers now look to pile on the pressure in Game 2, while the Bucks desperately need Lillard back—or risk an early and embarrassing exit.
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