What’s the word, Enjoyers? We have a lot to get to today, from the reigning NBA champions losing back-to-back home playoff games to the DPOY and ROTY announcements and more. Bet you’re glad you opened this email, right?

Today’s Lineup

Full-Court Coverage

Wolves jump out to 2-0 series lead with 108-80 W over Nuggets

After a 43-point game from Anthony Edwards lifted Minnesota over the Nuggets in Game 1 in Denver, the Wolves came back and dominated in all aspects of the game Monday night en route to a blowout Game 2 win against the defending champs on Monday. Life comes at you fast, right Nuggets fans?

The Nuggets were held to 80 points or fewer for the first time this entire season, and without Rudy Gobert, it was Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaden McDaniels who stepped up in a HUGE way to suffocate Denver’s offensive attack. Add in 27 points each from the animal crew (KAT and Ant), and you have the perfect recipe for a Wolves win.

Defensive sequences like these: 😍😍😍

Knicks overcome 4Q deficit, win Game 1 against Pacers 121-117

When you do something that’s only been done by one of the greatest basketball players of all time, you know you’ve hit the next level. So when Jalen Brunson had his fourth consecutive 40+ point playoff game on Monday, the first such streak since His Airness, it became clear that what the Knicks are doing is special.

This game wasn’t a blowout, though. The Pacers led for all of the second quarter and much of the second half, and for a while it looked like Myles Turner (23 PTS) was going to lead the Pacers to a Game 1 win. But the Knicks prevailed in the end, thanks in part to an illegal screen call in the final moments of the fourth quarter. We won’t get into the debate ourselves, but you can analyze this clip for yourself. Jay Williams certainly has his mind made up…

Celtics open series against Cavaliers with 120-95 home win

Even though Jayson Tatum (13 PTS, 0-5 3PT) had to take a step back on offense, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined for 57 points on 11 threes last night to prove why the sheer number of offensive options on Boston’s roster makes this team especially dangerous.

Donovan Mitchell (33 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST) did everything he could to will the Cavs to victory, but his efforts went unrewarded. D-Mitch just can’t catch a break…

Thunder beat Mavs 117-95, take Game 1 at home

Isn’t it great to see this playoff basketball in Oklahoma City once again? The last time the Thunder made it to the Western Conference semifinals was in 2016 with Russ and KD on the team—now, it’s SGA (29 PTS, 9 AST, 9 REB), Chet (19 PTS, 7 REB), and J-Dub (18 PTS) winning games for OKC in the second round. The NBA really moves fast!

The Thunder capitalized on a rare poor shooting performance from Luka Doncic, who shot 6-19 from the field (including 1-8 from three) but still ended with a respectable 19 points. Kyrie Irving (20 PTS, 7-14 FG, 3-4 3PT) was able to pick up a little bit of slack on offense, but Dallas just couldn’t get it going down the stretch, and OKC went on a 17-2 run in the fourth quarter that put the Mavericks to bed.

Award Announcements

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert (MIN)

Stats: 14.0 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 2.1 BPG, league-leading 0.164 defensive win shares

Add another one to the trophy case! This is Rudy’s fourth Defensive Player of the Year nod, as well as the seventh time he’s placed in the top three. If there was any doubt that this man was one of the greatest defensive players of all time and a Hall of Famer to boot, we think it should be pretty clear by now.

Gobert was the anchor of a Timberwolves’ defense that had offenses across the league sputtering the entire season. Sure, Minnesota was still able to put up an incredible defensive effort last night without Gobert, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that from on-ball to off-ball and from the perimeter to the post, Rudy Gobert was a problem all year.

Other finalists: Victor Wembanyama (SAS), Bam Adebayo (MIA)

Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama (SAS)

Stats: 21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, league-leading 3.6 BPG, 47%/33%/80%

Was it ever in doubt? The French Phenom just put up one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time, and it shows based on this award’s unanimous voting.

The first Spur since Tim Duncan to win this award, Wemby wowed crowds all season long with his dominating post play, impressive three-point shooting, and stunning athleticism. Once San Antonio starts to string wins together, he is going to be a problem.

…come to think of it… he kind of is already.

Other finalists: Chet Holmgren (OKC), Brandon Miller (CHA)

Three in the Key

Signing Off

That’s all for us today! Thanks for reading. Make sure to stick with us as the conference finals roll around—there’ll be no better place to get your hoops news than right here. Talk soon!

-Austin Zeglis