CELTICS TAKE A 3-1 SERIES LEAD BUT LOSE KRISTAPS PORZINGIS

NBA.com

 MIAMI -- The Boston Celtics took one more step toward eliminating the rival Miami Heat with a convincing 102-88 Game 4 victory Monday to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

But the win might have come with a cost, as Kristaps Porzingis, the team's starting center, hobbled off the court with a calf injury just before halftime and didn't return. Porzingis will undergo imaging Tuesday, but early indications are that he didn't sustain an Achilles tendon injury, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Following the game, Porzingis slowly walked out of the visiting locker room area wearing a gray walking boot on his right foot.

Porzingis appeared to tweak something after catching a pass from Jaylen Brown late in the second period. Upon getting the ball, Porzingis started driving toward his left, then grimaced before quickly giving the ball back to Brown and coming up lame in the middle of the play. Porzingis didn't appear to be touched by anyone on the play during which he was hurt.

As he walked to the locker room with a support staffer, Porzingis briefly held his jersey over his face in apparent frustration.

Minutes after he sustained the injury, the Celtics issued an update, saying Porzingis was suffering from right calf tightness. Following the game, Porzingis posted on social media, making note of the team's victory and adding, "Thanks for all the support, will be good" with a biceps emoji at the end of the message.

Celtics players held out hope that Porzingis' injury wasn't serious but also acknowledged that his presence as a floor spacer and rim-protector meant things would change if he is forced to miss time.

"All of us, our mindset has to shift," said veteran center Al Horford, who started the second half in Porzingis' place. "I talked to Luke [Kornet] and Xavier [Tillman], and let them know that all of us have to be ready to step up and do a little more, because KP was playing so well defensively."

Said Jayson Tatum: "We're going to have to play different, but it's a next-man-up mentality for however long [he's out]. Obviously I don't know anything [yet] -- but it's next man up. We just have to find a way to win each game."

The 7-foot-3 Porzingis, who joined the Celtics last offseason via trade with the Washington Wizards, fit his new team almost perfectly, averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per contest on career-best efficiency while giving Boston an even more dangerous five-out offense. But the Celtics, who went 21-4 in the regular season when Porzingis was out, looked just fine Monday in his absence.

Much of that stemmed from the Heat having no answer for Derrick White. The guard caught fire from deep in the first half, in which he shot 6-for-9 from 3, and went on to finish with a career-high 38 points.

"It's unreal. You hit a couple, and then after a while, you feel like you can't miss -- the basket's just huge," said the 6-4 White, who also managed to throw down a pair of uncharacteristic dunks. White's scoring outburst made for an even steeper climb for the short-handed, scoring-challenged Heat, who haven't been able to replicate their hot shooting from Game 2, when they hit a franchise playoff-record 23 triples.

Including Monday's 9-for-33 performance from deep, Miami has shot just 29.5% (18-for-61) since then. Games 3 and 4 marked the first time since 2022 that Miami has been held under 90 points in back-to-back contests, be it regular season or the playoffs. The Celtics were the opponent last time it happened, too, back in the 2022 Eastern Conference finals.

Boston will seek to close out the best-of-seven series when it hosts Game 5 Wednesday night.

- Chris Herring, ESPN Senior Writer

EDWARDS AND TOWNS LEAD TIMBERWOLVES INTO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS FOR THE 1ST TIME SINCE 2004

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 PHOENIX (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time in 20 years.

Their first-round sweep of the Phoenix Suns served notice they might be ready to go even deeper.

Anthony Edwards scored 40 points, Karl-Anthony Towns added 28 and the Timberwolves pulled away late to beat the Suns 122-116 on Sunday night and sweep the first-round playoff series.

The victory came after coach Chris Finch left the game late in the fourth after an inadvertent collision with Wolves guard Mike Conley. The team said he had a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee.

The success for Minnesota has been a long time coming, particularly for Towns, who was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and waited nearly a decade to get his first playoff series win. Edwards is in his fourth season after being the No. 1 overall selection in 2020.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Towns said before looking at Edwards. “Playing with my man on my right just makes it more special. To be able to do it with someone I have so much admiration for, so much respect for.

"The future’s so bright for him, I’ve got to put my sunglasses on.”

The Suns swept the three-game, regular-season series from the Wolves, but Minnesota flipped that script in the postseason by wearing down a Phoenix team that had championship aspirations with their All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

The 35-year-old Durant — who Edwards said was his favorite player growing up — offered nothing but praise for the young star.

“So impressed with Ant,” Durant said. "My favorite player to watch. Just grown up so much since he came into the league. His love for the game shines bright. That's one of the reasons I like him the most, because he just loves basketball, he's grateful to be in this position and he's taken advantage of every opportunity he's gotten.

“I love everything about Ant. Everything.”

The Wolves will play either the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. The Nuggets have a 3-1 lead with Game 5 on Monday night.

It's understandable that the Wolves might take a day or two to enjoy this series win. Minnesota was knocked out of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, including in five games against the Nuggets last season.

They might get another crack at them soon.

The Wolves were a handful for the Suns throughout the series, flashing a deep roster that includes veteran point guard Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, defensive star Rudy Gobert, sixth man of the year Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels.

But there's little doubt Edwards and Towns lead the show.

Edwards had just nine points in the first half before unloading on the Suns after the break, which was enough to overcome Booker's 49 points. His powerful, one-handed jam late in the fourth sealed the win.

“That was the gameplan, get everyone involved,” Edwards said. “But in the second half, it's time to win. I've got to shoot my shots.”

The Wolves have slowly improved under third-year coach Finch, who was replaced by assistant Micah Nori for the final 1:41 as the Wolves pulled away to win.

Nori said Finch was in good spirits after the game and will be ready to lead the team going forward.

“It's just one series win, you don't want to overblow it, but it's the next step in the progression for all our guys,” Nori said.

- DAVID BRANDT

2024 POSTSEASON TRACKER: PLAYOFFS, PLAY-IN, PROJECTED BRACKET

 The 2024 NBA playoffs will soon be here and teams are booking their postseason spots before the regular season ends April 14.

The top six teams from each conference will be assured playoff spots, while team Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the play-in tournament (April 16-19).

Two teams in each conference will then emerge to fill out the eight-team field, with the first round of the playoffs starting April 20.

Get the updates ahead of the playoffs here as the road to the NBA Finals kicks into full gear.

East postseason picture

Clinched a playoff spot: Boston Celtics (No. 1 seed), Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers

At least a play-in spot, not yet playoffs: Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat

Only a play-in spot: Chicago Bulls (No. 9 seed), Atlanta Hawks (No. 10 seed)

Eliminated: Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons.

West postseason picture

Clinched a playoff spot: Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, Dallas Mavericks

At least a play-in spot, not yet playoffs: New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns

Only a play-in spot: Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers

Eliminated: Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs

Eastern Conference projected bracket, as of today:

Play-in tournament:

No. 8 Heat at No. 7 76ers (April 16)

No. 10 Hawks at No. 9 Bulls (April 17)

Winner 9/10 at loser 7/8 (April 19)

First round:

No. 1 Celtics vs. No. 8 seed (76ers/Heat/Bulls/Hawks)

No. 2 Bucks vs. No. 7 seed (76ers/Heat)

No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pacers

No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Magic

Western Conference projected bracket, as of today:

Play-in tournament:

No. 8 Kings at No. 7 Suns (April 16)

No. 10 Lakers at No. 9 Warriors (April 17)

Winner 9/10 at loser 7/8 (April 19)

First round:

No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 seed (Suns/Kings/Warriors/Lakers)

No. 2 Timberwolves vs. No. 7 seed (Suns/Kings)

No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Pelicans

No. 4 Clippers vs. No. 5 Mavericks

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Boston Celtics

What they've clinched: Best overall record, No. 1 seed in Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division title

Boston became the first team to clinch a postseason spot in 2024 and have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. And as holders of the overall best record, they're guaranteed home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Celtics have made the playoffs the previous nine seasons, losing to the Miami Heat in the conference finals last season. The last time they were the top overall seed in the East was after the 2016-17 season, when they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals.

Milwaukee Bucks

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot

The Bucks have locked up a Eastern Conference playoffs as they try to now lock up a top-four seed.

Milwaukee has made the playoffs the previous seven seasons. The Bucks were the top seed last year but suffered a first-round exit at the hands of the Miami Heat. In 2022, they were also the top seed in the East, but they lost to the Boston Celtics in the conference finals.

New York Knicks

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot

The Knicks have secured a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs as they aim to secure a top-four spot.

The Knicks advanced the conference semifinals last season, where they lost to the Miami Heat. It marked just the second playoff appearance for New York in the past 10 seasons, which included a seven-year stretch without postseason play.

Cleveland Cavaliers

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot

The Cavs are also into the postseason with a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland made the playoffs last season, losing in the first round to the New York Knicks. It marked the Cavs' return to the postseason after missing the previous four editions, and their first appearance since winning the 2016-17 NBA Finals, led by LeBron James.

Orlando Magic

What they've clinched: At least a play-in spot

The Magic will play past the regular season for the first time since 2020, clinching at least a place in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Orlando will next eye a playoff berth, having only appeared twice since the 2012-13 season. The team last advanced past the first round in 2010 when it reached the conference finals.

Indiana Pacers

What they've clinched: At least a play-in spot

The Pacers have qualified for at least the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference

Indy is back in the postseason for the first time since 2020, breaking a three-season stretch. Prior to that, the team was bounced in the first round of the playoffs in five consecutive seasons.

Philadelphia 76ers

What they've clinched: At least a play-in spot

The 76ers have qualified for at least the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia has made the playoffs each of the previous six seasons, but has not advanced beyond the second round since reaching the NBA Finals in 2001.

Miami Heat

What they've clinched: At least a play-in spot

The Heat have qualified for at least the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference.

Last season, Miami became the first team to reach the NBA Finals as a play-in team. After losing first to the Atlanta Hawks, they secured the No. 8 seed by beating the Chicago Bulls. The Heat then beat the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and the Boston Celtics to win the East before losing in the finals to the Denver Nuggets.

Chicago Bulls

What they've clinched: No. 9 seed for the play-in tournament; cannot directly clinch a playoff berth

The Bulls will be playing in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament and will host the Atlanta Hawks for the 9/10 game. The winner will advance to play the loser of the 7/8 game for a chance to clinch the last playoff spot.

This is the second straight season that the Bulls will be in the play-in tournament. Last year, they beat the Toronto Raptors in the elimination match before losing to the Miami Heat in No. 8 seed game.

Atlanta Hawks

What they've clinched: No. 10 seed for the play-in tournament; cannot directly clinch a playoff berth

The Hawks will be playing in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament and will visit the Chicago Bulls for the 9/10 game. The winner will advance to play the loser of the 7/8 game for a chance to clinch the last playoff spot.

This is the third straight season that the Hawks will be in the play-in tournament. They've advanced out of it but then been bounced in the first round of the playoffs -- by the Miami Heat in 2022 and by the Boston Celtics in 2023. In 2021, they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks to the conference finals.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Oklahoma City Thunder

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot

The Thunder remain in contention for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but they've at least clinched a playoff spot.

The team has not been in the playoffs since the 2019-20 season -- a three-season hiatus -- after previously missing the postseason just twice since moving to OKC in 2008.

Minnesota Timberwolves

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot

The Timberwolves have locked in a spot in the Western Conference playoffs as they remain in a tough battle for the No. 1 seed.

Minnesota has advanced from the play-in tournament the last two seasons, only to bow out in the first round of the playoffs. Last year, it was to the eventual champions Denver Nuggets.

Denver Nuggets

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot

The defending NBA Finals champions have clinched a playoff spot amid a tight race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets will be making their sixth straight appearance in the playoffs -- capped by last season's run that saw them beat the Miami Heat for the franchise's first ever NBA Finals trophy.

LA Clippers

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot; Pacific Division title

The Clippers have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference and are on the verge of a top-four spot.

The team was bounced from the first round of the playoffs last season by the Phoenix Suns. The year before, they finished ninth in the West but lost the elimination match to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Dallas Mavericks

What they've clinched: At least a playoff spot; Southwest Division

The Mavericks will return to the postseason, having booked their place in the playoffs in the Western Conference.

Dallas missed out altogether last year after having previously made the playoffs in three straight seasons.

New Orleans Pelicans

What they've clinched: At least a play-in spot

The Pelicans have clinched a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference, although they can still nab a playoff berth.

Last season, New Orleans lost the 9-10 elimination match in the play-in tournament to Oklahoma City. The year prior, they made the playoffs via the play-in, but lost in the first round to the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix Suns

What they've clinched: At least a play-in spot

The Suns have clinched at least a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament to continue their streak of postseason appearances.

Phoenix has reached the conference semifinals the last two seasons, but lost to the Denver Nuggets (2023) and the Dallas Mavericks (2022). In 2021, they reached the NBA Finals but fell to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sacramento Kings

What they've clinched: A play-in spot; cannot clinch a playoff berth

After having been in the mix for a playoff spot for most of the season, the Kings will now have to settle for a spot in the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.

Sacramento made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2006, but lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round.

Golden State Warriors

What they've clinched: A play-in spot; cannot clinch a playoff berth

No shot for a top six spot for the Warriors, who will have to first navigate the Western Conference play-in tournament.

Last season, Golden State reached the conference semifinals before losing to the Lakers. In 2022, the Warriors won the NBA Finals over the Boston Celtics. In 2021, they finished eighth in the standings but lost two straight play-in games (to the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies) to end that season.

Los Angeles Lakers

What they've clinched: A play-in spot; cannot clinch a playoff berth

The Lakers' path to the playoffs will have to go through the Western Conference play-in tournament as they can no longer finish in the top six.

LeBron James and crew made it to the conference finals last season before being swept by eventual NBA Finals champions Denver Nuggets.

- ESPN

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