Knicks and Celtics Seek Playoff Advancements, Nuggets Fight for Game 7

Why it matters locally: The Minnesota Timberwolves are featured in a critical Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets, with their series lead at 3-2. The performance of local players like Karl-Anthony Towns and the team's advancement efforts are of high interest to the state.

The New York Knicks led the Atlanta Hawks 3-2 in their series. New York seeks a road victory in Game 6. The Knicks averaged 113.2 points per game in the postseason, shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range. Atlanta averaged 102.6 points per game, with 44.8% field goal shooting and 32.2% from beyond the arc. Jalen Brunson scored 39 points in Game 5. Brunson has 22 career playoff games with 30 or more points. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 16 assists over the last two games, averaging 2.2 more assists per game than his regular-season average. Nickeil Alexander-Walker averaged 14.2 points per game this postseason, 6.8 points below his regular-season average. The Boston Celtics also held a 3-2 series lead against the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston aimed to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Celtics led the NBA in postseason three-pointers made (84) and rebounds per game (47.6). Jaylen Brown led Boston in scoring with 25.8 points per game in the playoffs. Jayson Tatum averaged 10.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Joel Embiid paced Philadelphia with 33 points in Game 5. Embiid averaged 29.5 points in two playoff games against Boston, primarily from field goals and free throws, shooting 1-for-11 from three-point range in the series. Tyrese Maxey averaged over 40 minutes per game in the playoffs, contributing 25.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves led the Denver Nuggets 3-2. The Nuggets aimed to force a Game 7. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both averaged over 25 points per game for Denver. Jokic also contributed a team-high 14 rebounds per game and 9.4 assists, recording two triple-doubles in the series. Ayo Dosunmu and Mike Conley Jr. made their first starts of the series for Minnesota. Dosunmu led the team with 21.8 points per game in the postseason, seven points higher than his regular-season average.