The New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves achieved significant victories in the first round of the NBA playoffs, advancing to the second round.
Knicks and Timberwolves Advance: Updated 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket
On Thursday night, the New York Knicks delivered a dominant performance against the Atlanta Hawks, winning 140-89. This victory allowed the Knicks to win the series 4-2. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves triumphed over the Denver Nuggets with a final score of 110-98, also winning their series 4-2.
Thursday Results
- New York Knicks 140, Atlanta Hawks 89 (Knicks win series 4-2)
- Philadelphia 76ers 106, Boston Celtics 93 (Series tied 3-3)
- Minnesota Timberwolves 110, Denver Nuggets 98 (Timberwolves win series 4-2)
- Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic (Magic leads series 3-2)
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors (Cavaliers lead series 3-2)
- Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets (Lakers lead series 3-2)
Knicks’ Performance Against Hawks
The Knicks established an early lead and executed a remarkable 67-13 run, setting an NBA playoff record for the largest halftime lead. This game took a dramatic turn when Mitchell Robinson and Dyson Daniels were ejected following a confrontation late in the second quarter. OG Anunoby led New York with 29 points from just 27 minutes of play, shooting 11-for-14. The bench contributed an impressive 44 points in the blowout.
In contrast, Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 21 points, but it was not enough to keep Atlanta competitive. The Knicks are now set to face the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics series in the second round.
76ers Force Game 7
The Philadelphia 76ers extended their playoff run with a convincing 106-93 win over the Boston Celtics, forcing a Game 7. Tyrese Maxey shone bright with 30 points, while Paul George contributed 23 and Joel Embiid added a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. This upcoming decisive game will be crucial, as the winner will advance to face the Knicks.
Tough Battle: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
The Timberwolves secured their spot in the next round with a closely contested game against the Nuggets. Key players Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kyle Anderson missed the matchup due to injuries. Jaden McDaniels stepped up, scoring 32 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. His performance, coupled with Rudy Gobert’s strong showing of 10 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, proved pivotal.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokić had a notable outing, scoring 28 points and dishing out 10 assists. However, it was not enough to prevent the Timberwolves from advancing.
Upcoming Matchup
With their playoff advances, the Knicks will face the Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics in the second round. The Timberwolves are set to compete against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals. Fans are eager to see how these matchups unfold in the coming days.
