Nothing is guaranteed. Most people had Denver penciled in to win the first round almost automatically and look at how that’s going. Either OKC or SA could have a matchup problem we don’t expect or something like this could happen where a key starter ends up missing time.

What are you talking about, my Blazers aren’t done with the Spurs yet

People keep not mentioning the Rockets in these discussions, and with good reason

Luke Kennard disrespect?

I’ll also pick OKC over the Lakers but are you even watching this year’s playoffs? A 43 point regular season loss has no bearing at all in the playoffs. Nothing is guaranteed, the Magic who barely made it to the playoffs is now up 2-1 against the team with the 3rd best record, everybody had the Rockets over the Lakers and now they are about to be swept with Luka and AR out, Knicks and Hawks is tied 2-2, the Nuggets chose to go up against the Timberwolves this round 1 and they everyone’s favorite and now they’re about to lose. I don’t think it will happen but I won’t completely count the Lakers out specially now that Jalen Williams is dealing with hamstring issues too.

L…lakers?

Doesn’t change a thing. Ant wasn’t anywhere near 100% prior to this injury. SA vs OKC was always likely going to be the WCF regardless.

Heck no it’s not guaranteed. Spurs are so inexperienced + who knows what Wemby will look like after concussion protocol. It’s not even guaranteed they make it past Portland

I feel like only the Lakers in worlds where: Luka gets healthy, Austin gets healthy, favorable refereeing, could do it.

lol you realize another injury could happen today?

Yeah and his knee was never the same and still hurts, he said that may times since.

Except he basically just played through the injury, which allowed them to win the finals but ended up giving him lasting damage which still causes him to miss time today

Giannis missed two games

Not all hyperextensions are the same and maybe it was dumb he played on it

Giannis just played through the injury and he says doing that impacts him to this day. It’s clear his knee still gives him trouble for that. Hyperextensions and bone bruises are no joke

Yea gotta feel for the Wolves basically cooked. Unless they can push the Spurs to 7 or something how much time would that give him?

Oh well we get to see ayo, Jaden and Rudy cook I’m just happy he didn’t blow his knee out.

Yeah I’m scratching my head at “Not terrible”. Aside from an actual months long and surgery recovery injury, this is like the 2nd worst injury to have. One that takes a star player out of the playoffs. It’s pretty fucking terrible lol

I still think you guys will beat the nuggets; Rudy is playing some of the best defense of his career, easily the most important player in the series so far.

But yeah after this series I think it’s all over, for this season.

Absolutely. I already didn’t like him playing on his obviously hurt right knee.

Bro has kids depending on him

Correct. he was out for the post season anyway after this and now he can avoid a deep playoff run where he’s underperforming and exacerbating the chronic knee issue

Yeah even if they win the Denver series its going to be really hard to beat the Spurs (if it is them) considering its Conley/Ayo vs Harper/Fox/Castle in a series.

Not great, not terrible

Denver is already -10.5 point favourites tomorrow night

Didn’t even think about the fact that we’re about to be watching first option Julius Randle hoops in May again lol

It’s your time now beyblade

Ayo coming off the bench is Finch exercising his mercy on the league

The main guys that are the differentiators in this series (Gobert and McDaniels) are still playing. And Gordon is confirmed done-zo.

Minnesota can grab one of the next 3.

You can check on FanDuel right now Minnesota is favored

Come on, don’t be ridiculous. I’m not even going to look because there’s absolutely no way Denver is favored.

Ant being injured sucks but it’s not a huge deal in this series. Losing Golbert would be way worse vs Denver

Also on a team with Donte hurt

I mean that would be amazing but I’d rather just sit Ant till he’s a 100%

He’s delusional, take him to the infirmary

It’s not 3 weeks, it’s 15000.

3.6 roentgen?

RIP DDV 😭

Doesn’t have the same coach as the 3-1 comebacks either. Malone was as important to the nuggets reaching the heights they did as Jokic and Murray were.

Would you feel better right now with MPJ? Genuinely curious how Nuggets fans feel on this now

They score 54 and give up 70 so that adds up

Scoring inefficient 54 or 80 really doesn’t say anything other than they can’t make their shots. And a lot of that has to do with the Wolves defense + Nuggets stars underperforming.

Not me spending time figuring out how Newob ecurb is a bone bruise 🤦

Lmao

Bowen Bruce lol

I wouldnt, but I know theres is 0 chance that if Ant is remotely healthy he will want to sit. We also can’t be wasting a Rudy Gobert masterclass playoffs.

Im cool just beating Denver and going home now

The modern league has always had 82 games. I don’t really know what I’m talking about but I blame the AAU/euro league mileage before the NBA and the way the modern game is played.

To quote your own people: “Minnesota sports”

Yeh Denver doesn’t look as confident as they did the regular season. Looks like they were playing with nerves on a few possessions two games ago. Maybe they are feeling pressure to win this round I’m not sure

Agreed. They were +20 in the second half without DDV and Ant less than 24 hours ago. lol

If Denver won last night they take the series easy.

now, its not impossible however theyre still slight dogs

I meant it in a good celebratory way lol

The blazers only chance to extend the series was last game when Wemby sat due to his concussion. I don’t see this going past 5 games if he’s 100% today