Biggest Surprises and Storylines from the West’s First Round in the 2025 NBA Playoffs

20 Apr, 2025

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The 2024-25 NBA Playoffs Are Here — And Every Game Counts

The 2024-25 NBA postseason has tipped off, and our insiders are tracking every pivotal moment on the road to the Finals.

The Western Conference standings were a rollercoaster all season, and Saturday’s openers hinted at just how wild the first round could get. The No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets pulled off a dramatic overtime comeback to edge out the No. 5 LA Clippers, powered by late-game heroics from Russell Westbrook. In the nightcap, the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves stunned the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers behind a statement performance from Anthony Edwards, who outdueled LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

Sunday’s action features more heavyweight matchups. MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder against Ja Morant and the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Later, the surging No. 2 Houston Rockets begin their series against the veteran-laden No. 7 Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III.

Let’s break down what we learned from Saturday’s showdowns and preview what’s ahead on Sunday.

(3) Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves — Minnesota leads 1-0

Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95

Key Takeaway:
The Lakers entered Game 1 with optimism, fueled by a week of rest and a new playoff motto: Unleash Joy. But it was the Timberwolves who played with edge, control, and plenty of swagger — flipping the script on a night when L.A. expected to assert dominance.

Despite Luka Dončić's hot start (14 of his 37 points came in the first quarter), the Wolves took over in the second and third frames, outscoring the Lakers by 34 in that stretch. Minnesota’s ball movement and perimeter shooting shredded L.A.’s defense — the Wolves set a franchise playoff record with 21 made threes on 42 attempts.

Role players Jaden McDaniels (25 pts) and Naz Reid (23 pts) were relentless, outplaying L.A.’s supporting cast and punishing the Lakers' soft spots on both ends. While Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were the headliners, Minnesota's depth stole the show.

Looking Ahead to Game 2 (Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT):
Coach JJ Redick has some decisions to make. Starting center Jaxson Hayes logged just eight minutes, with Redick opting for smaller, more active lineups featuring Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith. Whether he returns to size or doubles down on small-ball will be key in Game 2.

(4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers — Denver leads 1-0

Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)

Key Takeaway:
The reigning champs showed championship resolve. Despite a sluggish start and a heated moment where Nikola Jokić took a forearm to the face, Denver clawed back from a 15-point deficit to win in overtime. Russell Westbrook delivered one of the most clutch performances of his playoff career, sealing the game with a rare go-ahead three and relentless effort on the glass.

Jamal Murray bounced back from a rough first half to hit two crucial fourth-quarter threes, and Aaron Gordon added six points in OT to ice it. The Clippers, meanwhile, were left wondering what could’ve been if James Harden hadn’t been in foul trouble much of the night.

Looking Ahead to Game 2 (Monday, 10 p.m. ET, TNT):
Both teams were visibly gassed by the end, and with just a day of rest, adjustments will be crucial. The Clippers turned the ball over 20 times, gifting Denver 29 points — a margin they can’t afford to repeat. For the Nuggets, getting more from Michael Porter Jr. (3 points in 26 minutes) will be essential moving forward.

(1) Thunder vs. (8) Grizzlies — Game 1: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ABC

Thunder Spotlight:
Oklahoma City enters the playoffs with historic momentum — nearly 70 wins and the best point differential in NBA history. Could they steamroll the field like the 2017 Warriors or 2023 Celtics? If they stay healthy and focused, it’s possible.

Grizzlies Spotlight:
Memphis has endured a turbulent stretch, including a March coaching change and a 10-16 skid to close the season. Now under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, the Grizzlies are hoping Ja Morant can thrive with more freedom. But they’ll need near-perfection to keep up with OKC.

(2) Rockets vs. (7) Warriors — Game 1: Sunday, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Rockets Spotlight:
Houston’s rise has been one of the league’s best stories, and they now face a massive test against Golden State. Coach Ime Udoka has focused on tightening half-court offense — and rookie Amen Thompson could be a key X-factor. The defensive stopper held Curry to 1-for-10 earlier this month.

Warriors Spotlight:
Golden State’s playoff hopes depend not just on Curry, but also on Jimmy Butler III, who’ll be asked to carry non-Curry minutes and relieve pressure. Draymond Green’s ability to defend Houston’s Alperen Şengün — despite a major size mismatch — will also be a storyline to watch.

Quick Links:

🔗 [Thunder vs. Grizzlies]
🔗 [Rockets vs. Warriors]
🔗 [Lakers vs. Timberwolves]
🔗 [Nuggets vs. Clippers]

More Coverage:

📊 East First-Round Takeaways
📅 Schedules and Results
🔍 Offseason Guides

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