Timberwolves coach Chris Finch leaves game in 4th quarter after collision with Mike Conley
PHOENIX (AP) — Minnesota coach Chris Finch was helped off the court late in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night after colliding with Timberwolves guard Mike Conley. Conley was trying to dribble down the sideline when he collided with a Suns player and ran into Finch, who appeared to injure his right knee as Conley tried to brace their fall. Finch grimaced and immediately grabbed his right knee. He was down for a few minutes, surrounded by Minnesota players, coaches and staff, before slowly getting up and being assisted off the court. Minnesota won 122-116 to sweep the first-round series.
Brunson scores career playoff-high 47 points, leads Knicks over 76ers for 3-1 lead
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored a career playoff-high 47 points, added 10 assists and the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 97-92 on Sunday to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. OG Anunoby added 16 points and 14 rebounds, and took on some of the defensive assignment against Joel Embiid in the fourth quarter as the Knicks moved within a victory of getting to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the second straight year. The No. 2-seeded Knicks can do that with a victory at home on Tuesday night. Embiid played the entire second half after the 76ers faltered badly when he sat in the first. But the All-Star center couldn’t muster a basket in the fourth quarter.
Paul George, James Harden help Clippers even series with Mavs at 2-2 after blowing 31-point lead
DALLAS (AP) — Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points while playing key fourth-quarter roles to help the Los Angeles Clippers hold on after blowing a 31-point lead and beat the Dallas Mavericks 116-111. The first-round series is even at 2-2. The Clippers won again without Kawhi Leonard. The star forward missed the series opener with right knee inflammation before playing in the two Dallas victories. Game 5 is Wednesday in LA. Kyrie Irving scored 40 points with a layup for a fourth-quarter lead that was Dallas’ first since the first quarter. Luka Doncic had 29 points, 10 rebounds and 10.
Pacers hit franchise playoff best 22 3-pointers to beat Bucks 126-113, take 3-1 lead in series
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Myles Turner scored 29 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 24 and the Indiana Pacers made a franchise playoff record 22 3-pointers as they pulled away from the Milwaukee Bucks 126-113. Indiana leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can close out the Bucks with a Game 5 win Tuesday at Milwaukee. The Pacers are 7-2 this season against the Bucks. Turner also had nine rebounds and four assists against a Bucks squad that was missing two injured All-Stars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Khris Middleton added 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. But Milwaukee never led in the second half.