2022 NBA Playoffs - Western Conference First Round

 2022 NBA Playoffs

Western Conference First Round

17 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: DEN(6) vs GSW(3) Game 1

Denver Nuggets 107 - 123 Golden State Warriors 

Jordan Poole’s 30 PTS (9-13 FG, 5-7 3PM) led the #3 seed Golden State Warriors to defeat the #6 seed Denver Nuggets in Game 1, 123-107. 

Klay Thompson (19 PTS, 5-10 3PM) and Stephen Curry (16 PTS, 4 AST) added a combined 35 points for the Warriors, while Draymond Green tallied 12 PTS 6 REB, 9 AST, and 3 BLK in the victory. 

Nikola Jokic recorded 25 PTS, 10 REB, and 6 AST for the Nuggets in a losing effort.

It is Steph's return from 10 game break after an injury. Is the healthy Warriors a team to fear?

Western Conf. First Round: MIN(7) vs MEM(2) Game 1

Minnesota Timberwolves 130 - 117 Memphis Grizzlies

In his playoff debut, Anthony Edwards’ 36 PTS and 6 AST led the fresh #7 seed Timberwolves to defeat the #2 seed Grizzlies in Game 1, 130-117. The last time a low seeded team defeats a higher-seeded team was by Memphis Grizzlies too, against the Spurs in the 2011 NBA playoffs. 

Karl-Anthony Towns didn't deal with foul trouble in this game and added 29 PTS and 13 REB for the Timberwolves in the victory, while Ja Morant tallied 32 PTS and 8 AST for the Grizzlies in a losing effort.

The last time the Timberwolves won a Game 1 in the playoffs' first round was in 2004.

And the last time they made it out of the first round? It was 2004 too, led by Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell, and Latrell Sprewell. Will they make it this time?

Western Conf. First Round: UTA(5) vs DAL(4) Game 1

 Utah Jazz 99 - 93 Dallas Mavericks 

Donovan Mitchell’s 32 PTS(30 in the 2nd half), 6 REB, and 6 AST led the #5 seed Jazz to defeat the Luka Doncic-less #4 seed Mavericks in Game 1, 99-93. 

Bojan Bogdanovic added 26 PTS, 5 REB, and 4 AST for the Jazz in the victory, while Jalen Brunson tallied a Playoff career-high 24 PTS, 7 REB, and 5 AST for the Mavericks.

18 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: NOP(8) vs PHX(1) Game 1

New Orleans Pelicans 99 - 110 Phoenix Suns

It's a reunion of former NBA players and coaching team between Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams and New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green, who was the assistant coach behind the Suns' 2021 Western Conference Champion.

Chris Paul’s 30 PTS (12-16 FG), 7 REB, and 10 AST, including 19 PTS (7-8 FG) in the 4th quarter, the #1 seed Suns defeated the #8 seed Pelicans in Game 1, 110-99.

Devin Booker added 25 PTS, 4 REB, and 8 AST for the Suns in the victory, while CJ McCollum tallied 25 PTS, 8 REB, and 6 AST for the Pelicans.

Phoenix led by 23 at one point in the 3rd quarter before New Orleans cut it to 76-69 with an 18-5 run.

19 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: UTA(5) vs DAL(4) Game 2

Series tied 1-1

Utah Jazz 104 - 110 Dallas Mavericks 

Luka Doncic is still out due to his calf injury but fret not as Jalen Brunson’s Playoff career-high 41 PTS (15-25 FG, 6-10 3pt FG), along with 8 REB and 5 AST, led the Dallas Mavericks to defeat the Utah Jazz in Game 2, 110-104. Maxi Kleber added 25 PTS (8-11 3pt FG) for the Mavericks in the victory. Donovan Mitchell tallied 34 PTS and 5 AST while Bojan Bogdanović and Jordan Clarkson contributed 25 PTS and 21 PTS respectively for the Jazz in a losing effort.

Western Conf. First Round: DEN(6) vs GSW(3) Game 2

GSW leads 2-0

Denver Nuggets 106 - 126 Golden State Warriors 

With Stephen Curry’s 34 PTS (12-17 FG, 5-10 3pt FG), the Golden State Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 2, 126-106. Uprising potential third splash brother Jordan Poole (29 PTS, 5 REB, 8 AST) and Klay Thompson (21 PTS, 3-8 3pt FG) added a combined 50 PTS for the Warriors in the victory, while Nikola Jokić tallied 26 PTS, 11 REB and 4 AST for the Nuggets. The 2021 NBA MVP was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter with 7 minutes left on the clock after receiving his second technical foul of the night. It was the culmination of a high-tension game for the Nuggets, who were fighting desperately not to fall behind 0-2 in the series and were clearly frustrated by Golden State's offensive onslaught.

Draymond Green waves goodbye to Nikola Jokić as he's ejected.

20 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: MIN(7) vs MEM(2) Game 2

Series tied 1-1

Minnesota Timberwolves 96 - 124 Memphis Grizzlies

Led by Ja Morant’s 23 PTS, 9 REB and 10 AST, the #2 seed Grizzlies defeated the #7 seed Timberwolves in Game 2, 124-96. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16 PTS and 7 REB for the Grizzlies in the victory, while Anthony Edwards tallied 20 PTS and 6 REB for the Timberwolves.

Western Conf. First Round: NOP(8) vs PHX(1) Game 2

Series tied 1-1

New Orleans Pelicans 125 - 114 Phoenix Suns

Led by Brandon Ingram’s 37 PTS (26 in the 2nd half), 11 REB, and 9 AST, the #8 seed Pelicans defeated the #1 seed Suns in Game 2, 125-114. CJ McCollum added 23 PTS, 8 REB, and 9 AST, including a franchise-record 6 3pt FGM for the Pelicans in the victory, while Chris Paul tallied 17 PTS, 14 AST, and 0 turnovers for the Suns. 

To be honest, the Suns had a decent game but the Pelicans were better! Stole a home game from the #1 seed Suns. Let's see if they can capitalize this in their home game next.

22 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: MEM(2) vs MIN(7) Game 3

MEM leads 2-1

Memphis Grizzlies 104 -  95 Minnesota Timberwolves

Led by Ja Morant’s 16 PTS, 10 REB and 10 AST, the #2 seed Memphis Grizzlies defeated the #7 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3, 104-95, after trailing by as many as 26 PTS. Desmond Bane added 26 PTS (7-15 3pt FG) and 6 REB for the Grizzlies in the victory, while Anthony Edwards tallied 19 PTS and 7 REB for the Timberwolves.

Western Conf. First Round: DAL(4) vs UTA(5) Game 3

DAL leads 2-1

 Dallas Mavericks 126 - 118 Utah Jazz

Led by Jalen Brunson’s 31 PTS and 5 AST, the #4 seed Dallas Mavericks defeated the #5 seed Utah Jazz in Game 3, 126-118. Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 PTS, 5 REB and 6 AST for the Mavericks in the victory, while Donovan Mitchell tallied 32 PTS (28 in the 2nd half) and 6 AST for the Jazz.

Western Conf. First Round: GSW(3) vs DEN(6) Game 3

GSW leads 3-0

Golden State Warriors 118 - 113 Denver Nuggets

Led by Stephen Curry’s 27 PTS and 6 AST, the #3 seed Golden State Warriors defeated the #6 seed Denver Nuggets in Game 3, 118-113. Jordan Poole (27 PTS, 3 AST) and Klay Thompson (26 PTS, 6-13 3pt FG) added a combined 53 PTS for the Warriors in the victory, while Nikola Jokic tallied 37 PTS, 18 REB and 5 AST for the Nuggets.

Jordan Poole clutch difficult layup 

Stephen Curry's go-to-sleep taunt at the end of the game.

23 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: PHX(1) vs NOP(8) Game 3

PHX leads 2-1

Phoenix Suns 114 - 111 New Orleans Pelicans

Despite the absence of leading scorer and All-Star Devin Booker due to hamstring injury, future HOF Chris Paul’s 28 PTS (19 in the 4th quarter), 14 AST, and 0 turnovers led the #1 seed Suns to defeat the #8 seed Pelicans in Game 3, 114-111 and is now up on a 2-1 lead in the series.

CP3 spent his 1st 6years in New Orleans, with the Hornets from 2005 to 2011 until he was traded to the LA Clippers, after the infamous trade decline by NBA to team up with Kobe Bryant in LA Lakers.

"DOMIAyton" Deandre Ayton added a Playoff career-high 28 PTS, along with 17 REB for the Suns in the victory, while Brandon Ingram led all scorers with 34 PTS and 7 REB for the Pelicans. 

CP3 has 28 assists and 0 turnovers in the last 2 games.

I really hope the Suns win the title this year so CP3 can add a ring to his HOF career.

Low key hoping the Warriors make a good run too, hopefully, they meet in the Western Conf Finals. 

24 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

It's a very exciting Game 4 for both teams! Both series are tied at 2-2 now!

Western Conf. First Round: DAL(4) vs UTA(5) Game 4

Series tied 2-2

Dallas Mavericks 99 - 100 Utah Jazz

Led by Donovan Mitchell’s 23 PTS, 6 REB, and 7 AST, the Utah Jazz defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4, 100-99. Jordan Clarkson added a team-high 25 PTS (3-5 3pt FG) for the Jazz, while Rudy Gobert tallied 17 PTS and 15 REB in the victory, including the go-ahead dunk with 11.0 seconds remaining in regulation. Luka Doncic recorded 30 PTS, 10 REB, and 4 AST for the Mavericks in a losing effort.

Western Conf. First Round: MEM(2) vs MIN(7) Game 4

Series tied 2-2

Memphis Grizzlies 118 - 119 Minnesota Timberwolves

Led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ Playoff career-high 33 PTS, along with 14 REB, the #7 seed Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the #2 seed Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4, 119-118. Desmond Bane recorded a Playoff career-high 34 PTS (8-12 3pt FG) for the Grizzlies, while Ja Morant tallied 11 PTS, 8 REB, and a Playoff career-high 15 AST.

25 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: GSW(3) vs DEN(6) Game 4

GSW leads 3-1

Golden State Warriors 121 - 126 Denver Nuggets

No sweep from the Warriors. Nikola Jokic’s 37 PTS (14-21 FG), along with 8 REB and 6 AST, led the #6 seed Denver Nuggets to defeat the #3 seed Golden State Warriors in Game 4, 126-121. Monte Morris added 24 PTS (5-7 3pt FG) and 5 AST for the Nuggets in the victory, while Stephen Curry (33 PTS, 8 AST, 4 STL) and Klay Thompson (32 PTS, 7-11 3pt FG) paved the way for the Warriors. Additionally for Golden State, Draymond Green recorded 13 PTS, 11 REB, and 6 AST in the losing effort.

Western Conf. First Round: PHX(1) vs NOP(8) Game 4

Series tied 2-2

Phoenix Suns 103 - 118 New Orleans Pelicans

Led by Brandon Ingram’s 30 PTS, 4 REB, and 5 AST, the #8 seed New Orleans Pelicans defeated the #1 seed Phoenix Suns in Game 4, 118-103. Jonas Valanciunas added a Playoff career-high 26 PTS, along with 15 REB and 4 AST for the Pelicans in the victory, while Deandre Ayton tallied 23 PTS and 8 REB for the Suns. The Suns seem to be having huge problems without Devin Booker in this series.

26 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: UTA(5) vs DAL(4) Game 5

DAL leads 3-2

Utah Jazz 77 - 102 Dallas Mavericks 

Led by Luka Doncic’s 33 PTS, 13 REB, and 5 AST, the #4 seed Mavericks defeated the #5 seed Jazz in Game 5, 102-77. Jalen Brunson added 24 PTS, 5 REB, and 4 AST for the Mavericks in the victory, while Jordan Clarkson tallied 20 PTS, 4 REB, and 3 AST for the Jazz.

27 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: MIN(7) vs MEM(2) Game 5

MEM leads 3-2

Minnesota Timberwolves 109 - 111 Memphis Grizzlies

After Anthony Edwards tied the game with 3.7 seconds remaining, Ja Morant made a driving layup with 1.0 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the #2 seed Grizzlies over the #7 seed Timberwolves in Game 5, 111-109. Morant finished with 30 PTS (18 in the 4th quarter), 9 AST, and a Playoff career-high 13 REB for the Grizzlies, while Desmond Bane added 25 PTS in the victory. Karl-Anthony Towns (28 PTS, 12 REB) and Anthony Edwards (22 PTS) combined for 50 PTS for the Timberwolves.

Your MIP of 2011-2022, Ja Morant

Western Conf. First Round: PHX(1) vs NOP(8) Game 5

PHX leads 3-2

Phoenix Suns 97 - 112 New Orleans Pelicans

Led by Mikal Bridges’ Playoff career-high 31 PTS and 4 blocks, the #1 seed Suns defeated the #8 seed Pelicans in Game 5, 112-97. Chris Paul added 22 PTS, 6 REB, and 11 AST for the Suns in the victory, while Brandon Ingram tallied 22 PTS, 5 REB, and 5 AST for the Pelicans. 

28 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: DEN(6) vs GSW(3) Game 5

GSW wins 4-1

Denver Nuggets 98 - 102 Golden State Warriors 

Led by Stephen Curry’s 30 PTS, 5 REB, and 5 AST, the #3 seed Warriors defeated the #6 seed Nuggets in Game 5, 102-98. Klay Thompson added 15 PTS, 9 REB, and 4 steals for the Warriors in the victory, while Nikola Jokic tallied 30 PTS (12-18 FG), 19 REB, and 8 AST for the Nuggets. The Warriors will now advance to face the winner of the Minnesota-Memphis series in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.

29 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: PHX(1) vs NOP(8) Game 6

PHX wins 4-2

Phoenix Suns 115 - 109 New Orleans Pelicans

Led by Chris Paul’s 33 PTS (14-14 FG), along with 5 REB and 8 AST, the #1 seed Phoenix Suns defeated the #8 seed New Orleans Pelicans in Game 6, 115-109. Devin Booker added 13 PTS and 5 REB for the Suns in the victory, while Brandon Ingram tallied 21 PTS, 5 REB, and 11 AST for the Pelicans. The Suns will advance to the 2022 NBA Western Conference Semifinals to face the Dallas Mavericks.

CP3 finished the night with 22 points, 11 assists, three steals, and just one turnover. In the process, he recorded his 31st career playoff game with at least 20 points and 10 assists, which is the third-most all-time behind only LeBron James and Magic Johnson.

CP3 also made NBA playoff history with "Most FG made without a miss", 14-14 field goals.

Former teammates Chris Paul and Willie Green embrace after Pelicans' elimination.

CP3 and Willie Green used to play together on the New Orleans Hornets before reuniting in Los Angeles Clippers. Willie Green later became part of the coaching team for the CP3-led 2021 NBA Western Conf. Champions Phoenix Suns. Today, CP3 eliminated the team that drafted him, at their home game New Orleans, head coached by his former teammate and coach. 
What an emotional moment.

Western Conf. First Round: UTA(5) vs DAL(4) Game 6

DAL wins 4-2

Utah Jazz 98 - 96 Dallas Mavericks 

Led by Luka Doncic’s 24 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL, and 2 BLK, the #4 seed Dallas Mavericks defeated the #5 seed Utah Jazz in Game 6, 98-96. Jalen Brunson added 24 PTS and 2 STL for the Mavericks in the victory, while Donovan Mitchell tallied 23 PTS, 8 REB, and 9 AST for the Jazz. The Mavericks will advance to the 2022 NBA Western Conference Semifinals to face the Phoenix Suns.

Jazz choked so hard in the final minutes, with a turnover and a wide-open 3 shot to win the game.

30 April 2022 (Singapore GMT+8)

Western Conf. First Round: MIN(7) vs MEM(2) Game 6

MEM wins 4-2

Minnesota Timberwolves 114 - 106 Memphis Grizzlies

Led by Ja Morant’s 17 PTS, 8 REB, and 11 assists, the #2 seed Memphis Grizzlies defeated the #7 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6, 114-106. Desmond Bane (23 PTS, 5-9 3pt FG) and Dillon Brooks (23PTS, 5-6 3pt FG) combined 46 PTS for the Grizzlies, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 PTS and 14 REB in the victory. Anthony Edwards tallied 30 PTS, 5 REB, and 5 AST for the Timberwolves in the losing effort. The Grizzlies will now advance to the 2022 NBA Western Conference Semifinals to face the Golden State Warriors.

No Games 7