Key Points: NBA Thursday
- Clippers host Nuggets in 1st playoff game at new Intuit Dome
- Knicks fight for playoff survival in Detroit
- Thunder aim for sweep over Grizzlies in Game 3
- Kawhi Leonard drops 39 to tie series with Nuggets
- Cade Cunningham leads Pistons’ Game 2 comeback
- Knicks struggle with limited help beyond Brunson
- Intuit Dome gets loud as LA crowd fuels home-court fire
NBA Thursday is loaded with drama as playoff intensity rises. The Los Angeles Clippers will play their first-ever postseason game at the new Intuit Dome. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks face a must-win game on the road in Detroit. The Oklahoma City Thunder also look to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in a potential sweep.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer finally sees his dream in motion. Over a decade after buying the franchise, he’s about to watch Kawhi Leonard lead his team into their own arena for a crucial Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets. The series sits at 1-1, with both games already offering high-level drama on NBA Thusrday.
Clippers Brace for Noise as Nuggets Come to Town
Ballmer made sure the crowd will play a role. Fans attending the game will find towels and noisemakers at their seats. Those who show up early even get a Kawhi Leonard shirt. Clippers guard James Harden expects a wild atmosphere.
Nuggets interim coach David Adelman agreed, calling the vibe similar to a packed high school gym. He noted that the fan section known as “The Wall” sits close to the court, right behind the bench. “It’s loud, even when they’re quiet,” he said. “We’ll need to be ready.”
Leonard led the Clippers to a Game 2 win with 39 points on 15-for-19 shooting. Ivica Zubac added 16 points and 12 rebounds, earning his 17th straight double-double. Denver’s Nikola Jokic countered with a triple-double, but it wasn’t enough to hold the lead.
Knicks Face Pressure After Pistons Tie Series
Over in the East, the Knicks head to Detroit on NBA Thursday to face a hungry Pistons team that snapped a 15-game playoff losing streak. Game 3 at Little Caesars Arena marks Detroit’s first home playoff game since 2017. The series is tied, and the pressure now falls heavily on New York.
Pistons star Cade Cunningham exploded for 33 points and 12 rebounds in Game 2. He also had 21 points and 12 assists in the opener. His performance gave Detroit a much-needed spark.
Jalen Brunson scored 37 points for the Knicks, but he got little help. Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby were both limited to just 10 points each after scoring 23 in Game 1. The Knicks went on a massive 21-0 run to steal the opener, but Detroit responded strong.
Thunder Aim to Finish Off Fading Grizzlies
Later in the night, the Thunder hope to take full control of their series against the Grizzlies. Oklahoma City leads 2-0 and will try to close the door in Game 3. Memphis hasn’t been swept since 2016, but the odds are stacked against them.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has struggled from the field, shooting just 33%. However, the rest of the team picked up the slack. The Thunder rolled in both games, including a 19-point win in Game 2.
Coach Mark Daigneault warned against complacency. He expects Memphis to feed off their home crowd and come out strong. Still, Oklahoma City looks locked in and ready to finish the job.
Jokic’s Nuggets Fight to Regain Control
Back in Los Angeles, the Nuggets hope to steal back home-court advantage. Jokic continues to shine, but the team faced setbacks earlier in the week. Several players and staff were dealing with a stomach bug that disrupted practices.
Michael Porter Jr. returned to practice on Wednesday. Adelman hopes his sprained left shoulder won’t sideline him for Game 3. With the series tied, Denver needs all hands on deck.
Game 1 went to overtime with Denver escaping by two points. Game 2 flipped the script as LA clamped down defensively. Now, with the home crowd behind them, the Clippers are ready to turn the series in their favor.
NBA Thursday Sets the Tone for Round 1
Each matchup on NBA Thursday carries big consequences. For the Clippers, it’s a chance to build momentum in their brand-new arena. For the Knicks, it’s about survival. And for the Thunder, it’s about putting the Grizzlies away.
As playoff basketball heats up, all eyes are on the court. From coast to coast, this NBA Thursday could reshape the postseason picture.
