NBA Playoffs: Maxey, Flagg Shine & Timberwolves Win | News & Highlights

The player: Maxey plants 40 points and the basket wins

Superstar. After exploding two seasons ago by becoming an All-Star while winning the Most Improved Player trophy in 2024, Tyrese Maxey is taking another step forward. He averages more than 29 points per game and asserts himself as the new boss of the franchise in Philadelphia, to the point where it is rumored behind the scenes that Giannis Antetokounmpo would appreciate the idea of playing with the young leader and would see himself transferred to the Sixers. Maxey once again delivered a performance worthy of his new status by scoring 40 points in the victory against the Kings last night (113-111).

A victory that his team largely owes to him. Not only because he scored profusely but also because he scored the final basket, the one to decide between the two teams, one second from the final buzzer. Philadelphia came back 11 points during the fourth quarter before winning at the last minute. DeMar DeRozan missed an opportunity to give Sacramento the victory with 5 seconds remaining. On the following throw-in, Kelly Oubre served Joel Embiid (himself author of 37 points) who found a Tyrese Maxey running at full speed to end up in traffic with the foul. A boss performance. One more.

The match: Minnesota in demonstration against Oklahoma City

The Western Conference shock turned to the advantage of the Timberwolves, winners of the Thunder (123-111) by notably planting 22 three-point baskets. A fantastic outside address which compensated for the numerous losses of the ball by Chris Finch’s team (20 in total). Beyond this lack of organization at times, Minnesota still made a strong impression by taking the upper hand over the reigning champions in the majority of areas of the game. Particularly on rebounds (46-36) despite the return of Isaiah Hartenstein for Oklahoma City, which played notably without Jalen Williams.

Rudy Gobert greatly contributed to locking down the racket by posting 14 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Edwards scored 26 points but the Wolves mainly won by dominating collectively. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points for the Thunder, who suffered their third loss in the last four games.

The duel: Flagg breaks a record with 49 points against Knueppel

Superb duel between the two favorites for the best rookie of the season trophy on Thursday evening. Kon Knueppel and the Hornets traveled to Dallas to face Cooper Flagg’s Mavericks. The two former teammates at Duke University each delivered a recital. Notably Flagg, author of 49 points. Quite simply an NBA record for a 19-year-old player. The first pick of the 2025 draft converted 20 of his 29 attempts to sign the most prolific performance of his young career.

But it was Knueppel who had the last word. The Hornets guard scored 34 points with 8 award-winning baskets but above all he made his team win by taking over Flagg when it mattered most. He intercepted a pass from the young Mavericks star before causing the latter to foul on the counterattack that followed 4 seconds from the buzzer. He made both shots and Flagg missed his very last attempt. Charlotte’s victory, the fifth in a row for the North Carolina franchise, which is getting closer to play-in in the East.

The performance: Brooks, 40 points to forget Booker

Phoenix confirms its surprising (and excellent) first half of the season by beating Detroit (114-96), the best team in the East. The Suns were able to rely on Dillon Brooks’ 40 points in the absence of Devin Booker. Transferred to Arizona in exchange for Kevin Durant, the Canadian winger is one of the pillars of the revival in Phoenix. Not only does he always defend hard but he also performs very well in attack, as evidenced by his offensive card last night.

The French: Sarr still brilliant

The Wizards beat the freewheeling Bucks in the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (109-99) with a dominant Alex Sarr in the racket. The Washington pivot compiled 16 points and 17 rebounds while blocking two shots. His teammate Bilal Coulibaly finished with 8 points and 10 rebounds. Starting with Brooklyn, Nolan Traoré was unable to prevent the Nets’ defeat in Denver but he stood out with 9 points and 4 assists. 10 points for Moussa Diabaté, winner with the Hornets. 2 for Tidjane Salaün. Maxime Raynaud scored 8 points in addition to his 7 rebounds during the Kings’ defeat against the Sixers.

All scores

Sixers – Kings : 113-111
Wizards – Bucks : 109-99
Hawks – Rockets : 86-104
Bulls – Heat : 113-116
Mavericks – Hornets : 121-123
Nuggets – Nets : 107-103
Suns – Pistons : 114-96
Timberwolves – Thunder : 123-111