NBA play-offs

Knicks win opener, Denver desperate

The Knicks prevailed in the first game.(Bild: AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Sarah Stier)

The New York Knicks have won their opener against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA play-offs - not least thanks to another strong performance by Jalen Brunson. 

The 27-year-old scored 43 points in the 121:117 home win at Madison Square Garden, surpassing the 40-point mark for the fourth play-off game in a row. Game two of the best-of-seven series in the Eastern Conference semi-finals will be played in New York again on Wednesday evening (local time).

In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves claimed their second impressive win in a row against the defending champions Denver Nuggets and can seal their place in the Western Conference finals in their upcoming home games.

Curious scenes in Denver
The Timberwolves won 106:80 in Denver and drove the Nuggets and their stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to despair. The latter even got carried away and threw a heat pad onto the court during the game.

The Timberwolves had a 32-point lead at one point and dealt with the Nuggets effectively, especially in defense. The team had to do without Rudy Gobert, who was absent due to the birth of his first child. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards were the best scorers for the visitors with 27 points each. Aaron Gordon scored 20 points for the Nuggets. Jokic ended the evening with a weak 16 points by his standards. He made just five baskets from the field.