They say a playoff series doesn’t truly start until a road team wins a game.
If that’s the case, then four of the eight series have officially started.
Today’s Lineup
🔥 Playoff VJ Maxx!
Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combine for 59 in their game 2 victory.
🏀 Wolves Back!
Minnesota ties it’s series with Denver in a huge road win.
🏆 The ‘1’ and Only!
Victor Wembanyama becomes the first ever Unanimous DPOY!
🎉 Happy birthday Duncan Robinson, Dejuan Blair, and Dante Cunningham! 🎉
Game Recaps
76ers steal homecourt advantage from Celtics in 111-97 victory as Maxey and Edgecombe combine for 59 points
After a pair of road teams won on Monday, it was the 76ers turn to join in on the spoiler party.
Following a blowout game one loss that led to discussion about this series already being over, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and the rest of the Sixers seemed to have taken that message personally.
Philly held a stable lead the majority of the first three quarters, and Boston started the fourth on a mini-run that cut the Sixers lead to just two, and it felt like a classic Celtics storm was coming…
Instead, Maxey put the Celtics to bed. The All-NBA guard put up 29 points, dished out nine assists and nailed five three pointers, including this dagger that sent the TD Garden fans packing for the night:
Prior to Maxey closing the game out, it was Edgecombe (29 PTS, 6 3PM) who kept Philly ahead all night. He may still be a rookie, but he was playing like an established veteran in this one. Speaking of vets, Paul George (19 PTS, 7/13 FG) was smooth and under control all night.
For the C’s, it was a rough night from the field for the squad as a whole, shooting just 39% for the game. This performance may just be one they have to wipe their hands of, and move onto game 3 to reclaim homecourt advantage.
These two teams are no strangers to each other, with this series being the fourth between the two in the last eight seasons. Boston has won the previous three, but Philly took one step closer to ending that streak with last night’s win. 👍
🏀 🏀 🏀
Wolves beat Nuggets 119-114, even series at 1-1 following 19 point comeback
It’s looking like the NBA just found it’s next greatest rivalry.
Monday night marked the 30th time in the last four seasons the Wolves and Nuggets have played each other. As insane as that already is, what’s even crazier is the record between those two teams in those 30 games: an even 15-15. 😱
Game 2 of this opening round series was just another chapter in the story of these two rivals. Unfortunately for Denver, this game felt all too familiar to game seven against these same Wolves in 2024, as they blew another 19+ point lead, squandering their opportunity to go up 2-0 in this series.
For Minny, Anthony Edwards made it very clear that his knee injury will not be holding him back anytime soon, as he made much more of an effort to attack the rim as opposed to settling for jumpers. His 30 point, 10 rebound performance also put himself in elite company: 🔥
As for Denver, Monday followed the same story they’ve had most of the regular season, having a difficult time converting on open looks late in the fourth quarter. Through two games, the Nuggets are just 5/38 from three in the second half. Nikola Jokić (24 PTS, 15 REB, 8 AST) and Jamal Murray (30 PTS) led the way, but the star duo combined for just 2/12 shooting in the second half.
Simply put, Minnesota outclassed the Nuggets down the stretch, and may have won the mental battle in this one. Game three in Minnesota on Thursday is going to be a straight up MOVIE, so make sure you grab your popcorn… 🍿
🏀 🏀 🏀
Elsewhere around the NBA:
In the East:
Veterans matter in the postseason, and Atlanta’s veteran leader CJ McCollum (32 PTS) took over down the stretch in the fourth and guided his Hawks past a 14 point second half deficit to walk out of MSG with a 107-106 victory and the series tied 1-1. He may have had a louder season on the offensive end, but Nickeil Alexander-Walker reminded us of how much of a DAWG he is on defense, coming up with a clutch strip on Jalen Brunson that led to a Jalen Johnson (17 PTS, 8 REB) dunk that sealed the victory!
Through two games so far this playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers have barely made their fans sweat, as the Cavs cruised to a wire-to-wire 115-105 victory over the Raptors to take a 2-0 series lead. James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Evan Mobley combined for 83 points, and Cleveland responded to any run Toronto threw at them with major poise. If the Cavs can keep their momentum going on the road in Toronto, their next home game could be taking place in the second round.
In The West:
Things we love to see: Scoot Henderson hooping in the playoffs! Scoot (31 PTS, 11/17 FG) played perhaps the best game of his NBA career when his team needed it most, as his Blazers rally to even the series with the Spurs in their clutch 106-103 victory. This was a tough loss for San Antonio, but the bigger concern is the health of Wemby, who left the game with a concussion. With Portland stealing homecourt, the young Blazers have a chance to take a 2-1 series lead later this week on their home floor.
No Luka, No Reaves, no problem! The Lakers take a huge 2-0 lead over the Rockets, taking care of business on their homecourt in their 101-94 victory on Tuesday. LeBron James (28 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST) turned back the clock multiple times, and Marcus Smart (25 PTS, 5/8 3PT) put together one of his best offensive playoff games in his career. Don’t look now, but LAL is suddenly two wins from advancing to round two even without two of their top three players…
Around the Association
Victor Wembanyama becomes youngest Defensive Player of the Year winner in NBA history in Unanimous Victory
It was clear all season who the best player on the defensive side of the ball was, but now it’s officially official.
Victor Wembanyama is your 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year:
The Spurs All-Star did more than just win the award. Wemby won it in historic fashion, becoming the first unanimous DPOY in league history, and is the youngest player to EVER win the award. 😳
Taking home his (likely) first of many DPOYs is just another stepping stone for the generational talent, but Wemby’s been vocal all year long that his real goal is taking home the Larry O’Brien trophy in June. Only time will tell if he can add a ring to his already stacked resume at just 22 years old….
Congrats, Vic! 😎
🧠 Daily Trivia 🧠
Wemby is the youngest player to EVER win the DPOY award. Who was the oldest player to ever win the award?
🏀 🏀 🏀
Billy Donovan steps down as Bulls Head Coach
The Bulls may not be one of the sixteen teams still playing basketball this season, but the organization still found themselves in the news on Tuesday with the news of Head Coach Billy Donovan stepping down from the position:
This was purely Donovan’s decision, as the Bulls had made it clear they would have loved to have him back for 2026-27, but the longtime coach is ready for a new chapter. It now truly feels like a new era of Bulls basketball, as Donovan’s departure follows the recent firings of VP Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley.
It’s currently unclear who the targets will be for the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls, but for now, the Bulls fanbase can take in a breath of fresh air knowing changes are on the way.
Three in the Key
🏆 Clutch Gene
Congrats to Shai for taking home Clutch Player of the Year!
😳Get up, JB!
Jaylen Brown reaches for the sky on this poster slam!
🔥 G-League Ignite ➡️ NBA Playoffs
These former G-League Ignite studs have been hooping so far this playoffs!
What We’re Enjoying
Just when we thought we couldn’t get any more fire matchups this postseason, the Enjoy universe gave us one more!
Our guys Kenny and Pierre go head-to-head in a trivia battle to see who knows more ball. It’s an absolute MUST watch! ⬇️
Signing Off
That’s all for today, Enjoyers! We appreciate you making us a part of your day. We hope you’ve been enjoying the playoffs as much as we have so far, and the best part is, this is only the beginning!
We’ll see you on Friday!
