The NBA Playoffs are underway and the action is hotter than ever. On Monday, the Thunder defeated the Pelicans with a 4-0 sweep. The Celtics also took a commanding 3-1 lead over the Heat. And to end the night, the Nuggets sent the Lakers packing for the second consecutive season.
The previous Sunday, we suffered our first loss as the Timberwolves defeated the Suns 4-0 for their first playoff series win in 20 years. It was a close game until the end, winning 122-116. Earlier, the Mavericks completed the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history when they erased the Clippers' 31-point advantage and briefly held the lead late in the fourth quarter. But it was as far as they could go. Paul George scored 33 points in the first half, James Harden added 33 points, and Los Angeles won 116-11, tying the series at 2-2. Jalen Brunson got the playoff party started on Sunday, scoring 47 points to set a franchise playoff record, and the Knicks held on for a 97-92 victory in Philadelphia, leading them to a commanding 3-1 lead over the Sixers. took the lead in the series.
The Pacers then took a 3-1 lead over the Bucks, 126-113. In doing so, Indiana pushed the injury-riddled Bucs to the brink of elimination.
Earlier on Saturday, the Magic overcame a 2-0 series hole to beat the Cavaliers 112-89 to tie the game at 2-2. The Oklahoma City Thunder then took a commanding series lead against New Orleans, 3-0, while the Celtics improved to 2-1 against the Heat. To cap off Saturday, the Lakers finally defeated the Nuggets and avoided a sweep.
The first round of these NBA playoffs will be held until May 5th. Here's how CBS Sports experts choose their brackets.
monday playoff game
- Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88 (BOS leads 3-1) — Recap
- Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89 (OKC wins the series 4-0) — Summary
- Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106 (DEN wins the series 4-1) — Summary
Below is an overview of the complete playoff bracket. The full playoff schedule can be found here.
2024 NBA Playoffs Bracket
1st round scores, series schedule
(all eastern)
celtics vs heat
Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
Game 5: Wednesday, May 1, 7:30pm, TNT
Game 6*: Friday, May 3, TBA
Game 7*: Sunday, May 5th, TBA
Knicks vs. 76ers
Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
Game 5: Tuesday, April 30th, 7pm, TNT
Game 6*: Thursday, May 2nd, TBA
Game 7*: Saturday, May 4, TBA
Bucks vs Pacers
Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT)
Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
Game 5: Tuesday, April 30th, TBA
Game 6*: Thursday, May 2nd, TBA
Game 7*: Saturday, May 4, TBA
Cavaliers vs. Magic
Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
Game 5: Tuesday, April 30th, TBA
Game 6*: Friday, May 3, TBA
Game 7*: Sunday, May 5th, TBA
thunder vs pelicans
Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89
(Oklahoma City won the series 4-0)
nuggets vs lakers
Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106
(Denver won the series 4-1)
Timberwolves vs. Suns
Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Suns 109
Game 4: Timberwolves 122, Suns 116
(Minnesota won the series 4-0)
Clippers vs. Mavericks
Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
Game 5: Wednesday, May 1, 10 p.m., TNT
Game 6*: Friday, May 3, TBA
Game 7*: Sunday, May 5th, TBA