The NBA Playoffs returned to Sky Sport’s airwaves on Sunday with a marathon slate of four consecutive games, beginning with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder taking the floor after a strong opening weekend for Cleveland, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles. Following Saturday’s results — where the Cavaliers, Nuggets, Knicks, and Lakers all secured road wins to open their series — the focus shifted to Oklahoma City’s bid to repeat as champions amid a tightly packed Western Conference.
The Thunder, who finished the regular season with a 57-25 record and the No. 1 seed in the West, opened their playoff campaign against the New Orleans Pelicans. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 34 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in a 118-105 victory at Paycom Center, according to the NBA’s official box score. Chet Holmgren added 22 points and 11 blocks, becoming the first player since Mark Eaton in 1985 to record at least 20 points and 10 blocks in a playoff debut.
Sky Sport’s broadcast began at 12:30 p.m. ET (16:30 UTC) with Thunder-Pelicans Game 1, followed by back-to-back Western Conference matchups: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (3:00 p.m. ET / 19:00 UTC) and Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks (5:30 p.m. ET / 21:30 UTC). The day concluded with Eastern Conference action as the New York Knicks hosted the Miami Heat at 8:00 p.m. ET (00:00 UTC), completing a nearly eight-hour window of live basketball.
Sunday’s schedule reflected the NBA’s strategic apply of regional sports networks to maximize exposure during the playoffs’ second weekend. Sky Sport, which holds exclusive rights to NBA coverage in Italy and parts of Europe, configured its feed to deliver uninterrupted action — a format rarely seen outside of Christmas Day or playoff marathons. The network’s pregame display featured analysts Danilo Gallinari and Andrea Meneghin, who broke down Oklahoma City’s defensive adjustments ahead of the Thunder tip-off.
“They’re not just relying on SGA’s brilliance,” Gallinari said during the broadcast. “Holmgren’s rim protection forces teams into mid-range jumpers, and that’s where OKC wins the possession war.” His analysis aligned with SportVU tracking data showing the Thunder held opponents to 41.2% shooting in the paint during the regular season — best in the league.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets-Timberwolves matchup carried added significance as Denver sought to avenge a first-round exit last year. Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in Minnesota, shooting 11-of-19 from the field. Anthony Edwards responded with 31 points for the Timberwolves, but Minnesota’s bench scored just 18 points compared to Denver’s 42 — a margin that proved decisive in the 112-107 Nuggets win.
In Dallas, the Clippers-Mavericks game featured a duel between Kawhi Leonard and Luka Dončić. Leonard scored 26 points on efficient shooting (9-of-16), although Dončić finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. However, Dallas committed 18 turnovers, leading to 24 Clippers points — a critical factor in Los Angeles’ 124-118 victory. Ivica Zubac’s 14 points and 15 rebounds off the bench provided Denver with crucial second-chance opportunities.
The Knicks-Heat nightcap lived up to its billing as a physical, half-court battle. Jalen Brunson scored 28 points and dished out 11 assists, while Julius Randle added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Bam Adebayo led Miami with 20 points and 12 rebounds, but New York’s defense held Miami to 38% shooting from three — well below their season average of 36.5%. The Knicks won 101-95, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Across the four games, several trends emerged that could shape the next round. Defensive versatility was paramount: Oklahoma City’s switching scheme, Minnesota’s ability to guard multiple positions, and New York’s switch-heavy approach all disrupted offensive rhythm. Three-point volume remained high, but efficiency varied — only the Thunder and Clippers shot above 36% from deep as a team.
Injury updates also played a role. The Thunder entered the game without Luguentz Dort (ankle), who was listed as questionable but did not play, per Oklahoma City’s official injury report. For the Knicks, Mitchell Robinson remained out with a foot injury, though Tom Thibodeau confirmed postgame that his availability for Game 2 would be reevaluated daily.
Looking ahead, the next slate of playoff games begins Monday with Eastern Conference action: Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers (1:00 p.m. ET / 17:00 UTC) and Philadelphia 76ers at New York Knicks (3:30 p.m. ET / 19:30 UTC). Western Conference play resumes Tuesday with Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (8:00 p.m. ET / 00:00 UTC).
Sky Sport will continue its live coverage throughout the postseason, offering Italian-language commentary and analysis tailored to its European audience. Fans can follow real-time updates via the NBA’s official app or the league’s website, which provides detailed play-by-play logs and advanced statistics.
As the playoffs progress, the ability to adapt — whether through tactical adjustments, bench contributions, or health management — will separate contenders from pretenders. For now, the Thunder have asserted their intent to defend their title, while the Knicks, Nuggets, and Clippers have each claimed early advantages in their respective series.
What did you think of Sunday’s NBA Playoffs action on Sky Sport? Share your accept in the comments below, and don’t forget to spread the word if this breakdown helped you follow the games.
