Chicago kid. Illinois legend. Playoff hero.
Ayo Dosunmu, take a bow!
Today’s Lineup
📈 Ayo’s Ascent
Dosunmu dominates to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead.
🔒 Defense Wins Championships
Toronto outlasts Cleveland in a historic low-scoring battle.
🏆 Award Spotlight
How Nickeil Alexander-Walker brought home MIP.
🎉 Happy birthday George Gervin! 🎉
Game Recaps
Donsunmu’s 43 PTS off the bench guide Timberwolves to 112-96 win over Nuggets
The last time a player scored 43+ PTS off the bench in a playoff game, no current NBA player had been born yet.
That’s just the type of night Ayo Donsumu had on Saturday, pouring in 43 PTS on 13/17 shooting to lead Minnesota to a critical victory over Denver, one that put the Wolves ahead 3-1 in the series despite losing two key starters— Anthony Edwards left the game in the first half with a leg injury that’s expected to keep him out multiple weeks, while Donte DiVincenzo suffered a ruptured Achilles.
Thrust into a larger role, Dosunmu delivered, willing Minnesota to victory with a 5/5 clip from three and a 12/12 streak at the free throw line. It was the most points scored in a playoff game by a reserve since 1976. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic combined for 54 for Denver but shot just 6/24 in the second half, while the Nugs as a team made just 6/27 from beyond the arc.
We’ve seen Denver overcome big deficits before. Can they do it again?
🏀 🏀 🏀
Toronto overcomes 32% shooting day to best Cleveland 93-89
If anyone ever tries to tell you they don’t play defense in the modern NBA, dial up this game.
Toronto pulled even with Cleveland on Sunday thanks to a gutsy victory of historic proportions— the Raps’ 32% shooting from the field was the lowest by any team in a playoff win since 1980. They also shot just 4/30 from three. So how did they pull it out? 21 offensive rebounds, 17 Cleveland turnovers, one ultra-clutch 8-second violation forced by Jamal Shead, and a late 17-5 run helped move the needle, sending the series back to Cleveland with a best-of-three inbound.
The Cavs also struggled offensively, with the two teams combining for more turnovers and fouls (74) than made baskets (63). Scottie Barnes led all scorers with 23 PTS along with 9 REB and 6 AST, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles continued his solid series with 15 PTS and 10 REB off the bench.
If you don’t like plays like this, you don’t like playoff basketball! 👇
🏀 🏀 🏀
Elsewhere around the NBA:
In the West:
SGA is the reigning Finals MVP favorite for a reason, and on Saturday, he dropped one of his best playoff games to date. OKC’s ace scored 42 PTS on 15/18 shooting, marking the first time two players (the other being Ayo) have notched 40+ PTS on 75%+ shooting in the playoffs on the same day. The efficient gem keyed a 121-109 win for the Thunder to push Phoenix to the brink of elimination.
Victor Wembanyama is back in action for the Spurs, and no one is happier than the rest of San Antonio’s defenders. The league’s first-ever unanimous DPOY threw a block party in his first game back from concussion protocol, swatting 7 shots to go with 27 PTS and 12 REB. After trailing by 17 at halftime, San Antonio tied the game heading into the fourth quarter before dominating the final frame for a 114-93 win to take a 3-1 series lead.
In 55 career closeout opportunities, LeBron James has lost just 14 times. But the most recent came last night, when the Rockets took Game 4 115-96 to stay alive against the LakeShow. James had his most forgettable outing of the series with 10 PTS and 8 TOs, while the KD-less Rockets got 16+ from all five starters to avoid a sweep.
In the East:
Joel Embiid made his return to the lineup and scored Philly’s first 8 PTS in a Game 4 matchup with Boston, but it wasn’t enough for a Sixers squad that ultimately fell 128-96. Payton Pritchard led the way with 32 PTS for a Boston squad that, in Tyrese Maxey’s words, “pushed [the Sixers] around,” en route to 48% from the field and 45% from three.
After falling flat in Games 2 and 3, the Knicks bounced back with a 114-98 win in Atlanta to knot their first round series with the Hawks at two games apiece. KAT recorded his first playoff triple-double with 20 PTS, 10 REB, and 10 AST in a New York win that was more lopsided than the final score indicates— the Knicks led by 24 at halftime and forced 18 Atlanta turnovers. Big time Game 5 in the Garden coming up Tuesday…
Pistons-Magic is everything you could ever want out of a #1 vs. #8 series— razor-tight margins, starring performances from the lower seed, and a potential upset brewing. Orlando got one step closer on Saturday, squeezing out a 113-105 win on their home floor to take a 2-1 series lead. Paolo Banchero had 25 PTS, 12 REB, 9 AST, and one friendly-bounce dagger, while Desmond Bane added 25 and Wendell Carter Jr. continued his physical domination in the paint (14 PTS, 17 REB, held Jalen Duren to just 3/10 shooting). Orlando blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead before surging back in the final minutes, putting the onus on Detroit to respond on Monday night.
🧠 Daily Trivia 🧠
Which of these players has NOT blocked 10 shots in a playoff game?
Award Spotlight: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
On Friday, Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker became the most recent recipient of some major NBA hardware, bringing home the league’s coveted Most Improved Player trophy. Let’s break down NAW’s award-winning season.
⏫ Role: Leveled Up
Arguably the biggest difference for NAW from 2025 to 2026 was a simple one: changing scenery. The versatile wing spent 2 ½ seasons in Minnesota primarily in a reserve capacity, including a sixth-place finish in 6MOY voting a season ago. After signing with Atlanta last summer, he made the jump to the starting unit, earning nearly 8 more minutes per game that led to an 11-point year-over-year scoring jump— the fifth player in 35 seasons to do so.
🍎 Varied Shot Diet
Alexander-Walker’s three-point attempts skyrocketed on his new team, jumping from 4.5 in Minny to 8.1 in Atlanta, but his efficiency improved from 38.1% to 39.9%. That may be because his offensive arsenal expanded, too— in 2024 and 2025, over 60% of NAW’s shots came from beyond the arc. This season, he put the ball on the floor significantly more, taking nearly 48% from of his looks from two-point range and 21.6% at the rim (a jump from 16.6% last campaign).
🥊 Fighter’s Mentality
At 27 years old, NAW saw his fair share of teams before finally breaking out. After debuting for the Pelicans in 2020, he spent two years with NOLA before being shipped to Utah. Then, he was dealt again to Minny before finally controlling his own destiny last offseason. Now, he’s starring for a playoff team. Dope to see such a talented player finally getting the shine he deserves!
Three in the Key
💪 Pritch Finds a Way
What a shot, what a game!
🔥 Harp On It
The rook gets UP!
👀 Wolves-Nugs Breakdown
SROS gives his thoughts on the pivotal Game 4!
What We’re Enjoying
How many players can you name from the 2024 Phoenix Suns? If you think you have what it takes to compete with Kenny, Pierre, Darrick, and Mike, put yourself to the test in the latest episode of the NBA Wheel. You never know what hoopers you might remember!
Signing Off
And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, try to find that perfect balance between work and relaxation. There’s plenty of big-time playoff action to Enjoy, and making time for yourself is never a bad idea. See you soon!
Walker Carnathan
