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Nightly Pulse: NBA News & Highlights from May 12

Follow the NBA Playoffs with our Nightly Pulse blog featuring all the latest news, scores and highlights from around the league.

NBA.com Staff

Monday Playoffs Hoops🏀

New York Knicks 121, Boston Celtics 113 (Final; NYK leads 3-1)

Minnesota Timberwolves 117, Golden State Warriors 110 (Final; MIN leads 3-1)

Top Storylines 🔥💯

  • The Knicks played a complete game in their 121-113 victory over the Celtics to give New York a 3-1 lead in the series. Jalen Brunson (39 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds) joined Walt Frazier as the only players in Knicks postseason franchise history to record 35+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ rebounds. Jayson Tatum left the game in the final minutes with a right ankle/foot injury and did not return, and we’re hoping the best for JT as we await further news.
  • Anthony Edwards (30 points) and Julius Randle (31 points) became the third duo in Minnesota’s playoff history to each score 30+ points in a game to help the Wolves secure a commanding 3-1 lead over the Warriors. With Golden State facing elimination on the road, the Timberwolves have a chance to advance to the Conference Finals for consecutive years for the first time in franchise history when Game 5 tips-off on Wednesday night.

Top Performers 🤩🙌🌟

  1. Jayson Tatum: 42 points (16-28 FG, 7-16 3PT, 3-3 FT), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks in 40 minutes in loss vs. Knicks (NYK leads 3-1).
  2. Jalen Brunson: 39 points (14-25 FG, 4-8 3PT, 7-9 FT), 5 rebounds and 12 assists in 40 minutes in win vs. Celtics.
  3. Julius Randle: 31 points (11-21 FG, 4-8 3PT, 5-6 FT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block in 41 minutes in win vs. Warriors (MIN leads 3-1).
  4. Anthony Edwards: 30 points (11-21 FG, 6-11 3PT, 2-3 FT), 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in 33 minutes in win vs. Warriors.

Minnesota takes Game 4🐺🚨

Anthony Edwards (30 points, 5 assists, 2 steals) and Julius Randle (31 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) become the third duo in Minnesota’s playoff history to each score 30+ points in a game to help the Wolves secure a commanding 3-1 lead over the Warriors.

Minnesota shoots 16-for-34 (47.1%) from 3 compared to 8-for-27 (29.6%) for Golden State, and they outscored the Warriors 39-17 in the third quarter and didn’t look back. The Wolves have a chance to advance to the Conference Finals for consecutive years for the first time in franchise history when Game 5 tips-off Wednesday night.

Five Warriors scored in double figures, led by Jonathan Kuminga with 23 points (6-13 FG, 11-12 FT), but it wasn’t enough to stop them from being pushed to the brink of elimination. Jimmy Butler III was quiet with 14 points on just 9 shot attempts, and he finished a game-worst minus-30 in 34 minutes.

Wolves’ defense taking over🔒

With Ant Edwards on the bench with 5 fouls, Minnesota’s defense has been huge to maintain a double-digit lead with less than 6 minutes remaining in the contest. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has 11 points on 5-for-5 shooting off the bench, and Jaden McDaniels has been a two-way force with 10 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block.

Five Warriors are in double figures, led by Jonathan Kuminga with 23 points, but they’ve struggled to stop the Wolves on defense. Jimmy Butler III has been quiet with 14 points on just 9 shot attempts, and he’s a game-worst minus-30 in 34 minutes.

The Wolves have a 112-93 lead with 4:11 left in Game 4 on ESPN.

Wolves dominate 3Q 🐺💥

Ant-Man (game-high 30 points) and Donte DiVincenzo (6 points) lead a 17-0 run by the Wolves to take an 89-73 lead with 2:07 left in the third after the game was tied at 68 with 8 minutes to go. Minnesota is shooting 16-for-31 from 3 compared to 5-for-19 for Golden State, and they outscored the Warriors 39-17 in the frame.

Kuminga is up to 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting, while Buddy Hield (11), Jimmy Butler III (12) and Draymond Green (10) are all in double figures. The Warriors are facing their largest deficit of the game as they trail 97-77 heading to the fourth quarter.

Ant heating up now🐜🔥

Anthony Edwards has a quick 5 points in the third quarter to give him 19 on 7-for-15 shooting. Julius Randle cashed in from 3 to give him 22 points and 4 made 3s.

Minnesota jumps out in front to take a 68-66 lead with 8:21 remaining in the third on ESPN.

Game 4 is GOOD🚨😤

Ant-Man crosses over before splashing in his third 3 to give him 14 points with 3 boards, 4 assists and a steal in 21 minutes. Julius Randle has a game-high 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting with 3 made 3s, as fans have been treated to a back and forth battle with 6 ties and 8 lead changes so far.

Edwards’ 3 at the buzzer made it a 60-58 game, with the Warriors up at the break. Minnesota is shooting 10-for-19 from behind the arc after Ant’s triple.

Jonathan Kuminga has a team-high 16 points on 4-for-6 shooting while sinking all 8 of his free-throw attempts in 14 minutes off the bench. Buddy Hield is Golden State’s second-leading scorer with 11 points and a couple made 3s, and Draymond Green tallied 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 17 minutes.

Warriors up after one🤩🎯

Jonathan Kuminga finds Gary Payton II for a wide open corner 3 to help Golden State take a 28-27 lead after one. Kuminga and Draymond Green lead the Warriors with 8 points apiece, while Payton II has 3 points and 2 dimes in 7 minutes as a reserve.

Julius Randle is still the high man with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting and 2-for-2 from downtown, along with 3 boards and a steal in 10 minutes. Anthony Edwards has 6 points on 2-for-7 shooting with 2 boards and 2 assists in 12 minutes.

Randle at it again😮‍💨🔥

Julius Randle is going to work with 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting and 2-for-2 from downtown, along with 3 boards and a steal in 9 minutes. Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels have 4 points apiece.

Draymond Green leads the Warriors with 8 points on 3-for-4 shooting and two made 3s, adding 3 boards and an assist. Golden State trails Minnesota 23-22 with 2:16 left in the opening quarter on ESPN.

Minnesota’s first five🐺

Anthony Edwards, who scored 35 points or more for the ninth time in the playoffs in Game 3, will look to get off to a fast start tonight. Julius Randle has been a force throughout the course of the postseason for the Timberwolves, and he’s coming off his first career triple-double (24 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) on Saturday.

Golden State’s first five🌉

Trayce Jackson-Davis gets the nod again with Jonathan Kuminga remaining in a reserve role for Steve Kerr in Game 4. The Warriors face a must-win tonight against the Wolves, or else they’ll be headed back to Minnesota down 3-1.

Knicks take 3-1 lead🗽😤

The NBA Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson dropped 39 points (14-25 FG, 4-8 3PT) and 12 assists to give the Knicks a 3-1 series lead and push the Celtics to the brink. Mikal Bridges added 23 points, 7 boards, 3 assists, 4 steals and a block, while Karl-Anthony Towns tallied a double-double with 23 points (11-15 FG) and 11 rebounds in the 121-113 victory.

OG Anunoby was big with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting with four made 3s in 40 minutes. New York shot 67% (30-45 FG) and outscored Boston 70-51 in the second half, and did most of their damage in the painted area (64-32 NYK).

Jayson Tatum finished with a game-high 42 points on 16-for-28 shooting with 7 made 3s, adding 8 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks in 40 minutes. He had to leave the game with 2:58 remaining after injuring his right ankle/foot, and we hope the best and good health for JT.

Derrick White tallied 23 points with 6 made 3s in almost 44 minutes of action, and Jaylen Brown battled foul trouble en route to 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in 33 minutes. Payton Pritchard popped for 12 points in 20 minutes off the bench, but Celtics are now one loss away from being eliminated from the 2025 Playoffs.

Game 5 will be on Wednesday in Boston.

Clutch time in Game 4🔥😬

Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have been lights out in the fourth quarter to help the Knicks grab their largest lead of the entire series, as they’re up 111-104 with less than four minutes to go.

Jayson Tatum has erupted for a game-high 42 points, but he just went down with what looked like a right ankle injury. Get to this game now on ESPN.

Brunson barrage in 3Q💪🤩

Jalen Brunson dropped 18 of his 31 points in the third quarter to give the Knicks an 88-85 lead heading to the final quarter. New York outscored Boston 37-23 and closed the frame on a 12-2 run, with their Captain scoring or assisting on 25 of those 37 points.

Jayson Tatum (31 points) and Brunson are going bucket for bucket, but the rest of the Celtics have gone cold. It’s been back and forth in the second half, and the Knicks are holding onto a 92-89 lead with 10:22 left in Game 4.

Celtics-Knicks battling⚔️💥

Mikal Bridges hits a sweet jumper on the block to give him 13 points with 2 boards, 2 assists, 3 steals and a block. Jalen Brunson is up to a team-high 29 points on 10-for-16 shooting and 7 dimes, and KAT has been stellar with 19 points (9-12 FG) and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes.

Jayson Tatum has done a bit of everything for the Celtics tonight, including pouring in a game-high 29 points (12-18 FG, 5-9 3PT) and 7 boards, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Derrick White is on a heater from downtown, tallying 23 points and six made 3s.

Boston holds an 83-81 lead with 2:34 remaining in the third quarter, live on ESPN!

Tatum locked in😤

Jayson Tatum has a game-high 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting with four made 3s, along with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Derrick White has 17 points (4-5 FG, 4-5 3PT, 5-7 FT) and Jaylen Brown has added 12 points, 6 boards and 2 assists.

Boston’s 3-point shooting woes are clearly behind them, as they’ve knocked down 12 of their 24 attempts from deep in the first half to take a 62-51 lead. It feels like every time the Knicks get to within 5-7 points, the C’s splash in another 3 to push it back to double digits.

Jalen Brunson leads New York with 13 points and 5 assists in almost 20 minutes, while Karl-Anthony Towns has chipped in 10 points, 8 rebounds and a block in 18 minutes, along with 3 personal fouls. OG Anunoby (8 points) and Mikal Bridges (9 points, 2 steals) are helping the Knicks stay within striking distance.

They didn’t receive their first free throws until the 1:20 mark in the second quarter, and Boston (10-15 FT) holds an edge in that area (NYK 4-4 FT). However, the Knicks are doubling-up the Celtics in paint scoring (24-12) and second chance points (11-5).

Boston up after 1Q🍿

The Celtics closed the first quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 39-28 lead after one. They’re shooting 9-for-14 (64.3%) from downtown and are led by Jayson Tatum with 15 points, 5 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block, and Derrick White, who’s got 14 points on a perfect 4-for-4 from the field (all 3s).

Jalen Brunson leads the Knicks with 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting and 3 assists in 12 minutes of action. New York has sped their offense up a bit tonight, but they still find themselves trailing 39-30 with 11:05 to go in the second quarter.

Celtics, White start hot🔥

Derrick White hits all three of his 3-point attempts to lead everyone with 9 points. Jaylen Brown has 5 points with one made 3, and Boston has started 4-for-8 from deep.

Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each have 5 points and sparked an 8-0 Knicks run to make it a 16-14 game midway through the first, with the Celtics out front.

Starters for New York🗽

The Knicks will run it back with the only starting lineup they’ve used this postseason. Jalen Brunson (27 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points, 15 rebounds) look to lead New York to a 3-1 series lead, but they’ll need some more support from OG Anunoby (2 points) and Josh Hart (10 points) offensively.

Starters for Boston🍀

The Celtics’ are sticking with their first five on the floor from Games 2 and 3, with Al Horford starting at center and Kristaps Porziņģis coming off the bench. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum look to lead Boston to a second consecutive win to even the series at 2-2.

Mavs get first pick🤯🐎

The Dallas Mavericks had a 1.8% chance to grab the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and they defied the odds to walk away with No. 1. What an unbelievable turn of events!

Picks 5-14 are in 👀

NBA TV crew on Flagg🔥

Hear what the NBA TV crew has to say about the landing spot for the presumptive No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg:

The NBA Draft Lottery is live on ESPN!

All smiles at the Lottery😁

College teammates Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper have some fun before the show gets underway at the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery. The Rutgers stars are projected to be Top-10 picks in this June’s draft, and they’ll know a little more about potential landing spots very soon.

Top Storylines Tonight👉📰🚨

  • The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery begins tonight at 7 ET on ESPN in Chicago. The 14 teams that didn’t make the 2025 Playoffs will participate in the lottery to determine the order of selection for the NBA Draft, and you can learn more about it, how it works, and the odds for each team here.
  • Boston and New York meet at Madison Square Garden in our first Game 4 matchup of the evening, with the Knicks in search of a commanding 3-1 lead. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics put the first two losses behind them and righted the ship to take Game 3, 115-93, and they have the chance to give road teams a 4-0 record in this series. Now it’s up to Jalen Brunson and the rest of the Knicks to respond before heading back to Beantown.
  • Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves are in the Bay Area to take on the Warriors in a pivotal Game 4, as Minnesota aims to secure a 3-1 advantage before heading back home. Still without Steph Curry (hamstring), Golden State will need strong performances again from Jimmy Butler III (33 points in Game 3) and Jonathan Kuminga (Playoff career-high 30 points) if they want to even this series at 2 games apiece.

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