By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Highlighting the schedule on NBA Sundays, the Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Western Conference Quarterfinals best-of-seven series against the Phoenix Suns. Anthony Edwards scoring 40 points fueled a win, 122-116, in Footprint Center on Sunday.
Helping his side advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, Rudy Gobert registered nine points, five rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and one assist in 25 minutes. “It is great, but at the same time, we try to get that championship. This is one step of the way. It will not get easier,” the French center went from Game 4 to the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign, “We just got to stay focused. Keep putting in the work every day and keep taking care of ourselves. We will be alright.”
Bosnian Luka Garza did not play. Wolves head coach, Chris Finch, was forced to an early exit after a collision with Mike Fonley. Helped to the locker room with 1:41 left in the fourth quarter, assistant coach Micah Nori took over. Initial fears reach a torn patellar tendon in his knee, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The Minnesota Timberwolves advance to the next round of the NBA playoffs ✅ pic.twitter.com/uFDfGpjvgA
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) April 29, 2024
On the wrong end of a battle of European centers and a four-game sweep, Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic finished the season with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block over 20 minutes.
Doncic posts a triple-double in loss
Tying the series at 2-2, the Los Angeles Clippers prevailed, 116-111, over the Dallas Mavericks in American Airlines Center. Complementing Paul George and James Harden sharing a team-high 33 points, the starting center from Croatia, Ivica Zubac chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, one block, one steal, and one assist. German Daniel Theis stayed on the bench. French Moussa Diabate was inactive.
For the Mavs failing to keep homecourt advantage, Slovenian Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double with 29 points, ten rebounds, and ten assists, and also got one block. “It is hurting, obviously, but it should not be an excuse,” he commented on playing with right knee soreness. German teammate Maxi Kleber had three points, two rebounds, one block, one steal, and one assist.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers secured a win, 126-113, against the Milwaukee Bucks and drew a 3-1 lead in the series. Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo (left soleus strain) was ruled out for Game 4 in Gainbridge Fieldhouse. His brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo registered one block in two minutes. On the court for 13 minutes, Italian Danilo Gallinari finished with six points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Setbacks for Bojan Bogdanovic
Opening NBA Sundays, the New York Knicks jumped to 3-1 in the series versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Jalen Brunson tallied 47 points in the 97-92 victory. European contribution was focused on British O.G. Anunoby posting a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double plus three blocks in a game-high 47 minutes. German Isaiah Hartenstein added eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Picking up a left ankle contusion, Croatian Bojan Bogdanovic was limited to a brief showing in Game 4. His injury followed a decision to undergo surgery during the offseason, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Initially determined to play with soreness in his left wrist for the remainder of the postseason, the latest setback further reduces such options.
French Nicolas Batum colliding with Bogdanovic to start the second quarter led to the early exit of his opponent. Lasting 31 minutes, the 35-year-old forward ended up with one point, seven rebounds, and one assist in a losing effort for the Sixers.