BBNBA: SGA, Thunder sweep Grizzlies; Murray, Nuggets win at the buzzer
We were treated to a four-game slate of postseason action on Saturday. For some former Kentucky players, it was a day for celebration. For others, it was a reality check that the season is close to over.
We’ll start in Denver with what was the game of the day. Jamal Murray and the Nuggets came into Game 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers trailing the series 2-1. Going down 3-1 is almost certain death in the NBA Playoffs. We appeared to be headed for an overtime period before Aaron Gordon snuck in a tip-in dunk at the literal last second, gifting Denver a 101-99 win in LA to knot the series even at 2-2.
Gordon’s game-winner saved Murray from some extra criticism. It wasn’t the best performance from the UK alum as he finished with just 13 points on 5-17 shooting (1-5 3PT) with three turnovers. However, he did chip in seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals during his 42 minutes of action. Nikola Jokic was spectacular as always with 36 points, 21 rebounds, and eight assists. Game 5 will shift back to Denver on Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT.
This series is living up to every lofty expectation we set for it going in.
SGA, Thunder sweep Grizzlies
After giving up a 29-point lead in Game 3 and losing Ja Morant to injury, it sure felt like the Memphis Grizzlies’ season was finished. And that’s what happened in Game 4 as the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off the sweep with a 117-115 win in Memphis.
And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — who was productive, but not particularly efficient in this series — finally has his breakout performance. The MVP frontrunner posted 38 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals in his 38 minutes. His 13-24 shooting clip (including an 11-13 mark from the free throw line) was easily his most efficient game of the entire series. This nasty step-back jumper in the closing seconds gave OKC a five-point lead.
SGA’s teammate, second-year guard Cason Wallace, continues to wreak havoc on defense. He contributed four points (2-8 FG), one rebound, one assist, and one block in his 21 minutes off the bench.
With the sweep, OKC will wait for its second-round opponent: the winner of Nuggets-Clippers. If that series ends up going the distance, as most expect, the top-seeded Thunder will have a lengthy break in between games.
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Herro, Adebayo one game away from elimination
It was an ugly performance all-around from the Miami Heat in Game 3 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After putting up a fight in the first two games on the road, the Heat fell flat at home, losing 124-87. Miami is now down 3-0 and is one game away from being eliminated.
Bam Adebayo had the better game between him and Tyler Herro. Adebayo went for 22 points and nine rebounds. He shot 9-20 from the floor and an impressive 4-7 from deep, but he also turned the ball over six times. Herro registered 13 points on 5-13 shooting in addition to four rebounds and three assists. The 37-point defeat was Miami’s largest in postseason history.
Game 4 in Miami is set for Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
4/26/25 statistics
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | +/- | MIN |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) | 117-115 W @ MEM | 38 | 13-24 (1-4) | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 38 |
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 124-87 L vs. CLE | 22 | 9-20 (4-7) | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -28 | 40 |
| Tyler Herro (MIA) | 124-87 L vs. CLE | 13 | 5-13 (1-3) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -26 | 36 |
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 101-99 W @ LAC | 13 | 5-17 (1-5) | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 42 |
| Cason Wallace (OKC) | 117-115 W @ MEM | 4 | 2-8 (0-3) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 21 |
| Reed Sheppard (HOU) | 104-93 L @ GSW | DNP-CD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Today in the NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference First Round | Game 4 | NYK leads 2-1
1:00 (ABC) | (3) Knicks (Towns) @ (6) Pistons
Western Conference First Round | Game 4 | MIN leads 2-1
3:30 (ABC) | (3) Lakers (Vanderbilt) @ (6) Timberwolves (Dillingham: out, Randle)
Eastern Conference First Round | Game 4 | BOS leads 2-1
7:00 (TNT) | (2) Celtics @ (7) Magic
Eastern Conference First Round | Game 4 | IND leads 2-1
9:30 (TNT) | (4) Pacers (Jackson: out) @ (5) Bucks (Livingston)
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