Three Stars
The three stars in ice hockey are the three best players in a game, with the “first star” considered the best of the three players, similar to the player of the match in other sports. Here are my “three stars” from yesterday’s NBA games.
First ⭐️
Nikola Jokic produced game highs of 36 points and 21 rebounds as the Denver Nuggets got by the LA Clippers 101-99 to square their Western Conference First Round series at two games apiece. Jokic shot 14-25 from the field (3-6 on threes) and 5-6 from the free throw line. He also recorded a team-high eight assists, a game-high two steals (tied with three others), and one block in 43 minutes played.
Second ⭐️
Stephen Curry registered game highs of 36 points and nine to assists to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 104-93 win over the Houston Rockets, giving Golden State a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference First Round series. Curry went 12-23 from the floor (5-13 on 3-pointers) and 7-8 from the charity stripe. He added seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal, and did not commit a personal foul in 41 minutes of action.
Third ⭐️
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 38 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 117-115 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, completing a four-game sweep of their Western Conference First Round series. Gilgeous-Alexander shot 13-24 from the field and made 11 of his 13 free throw attempts. He also contributed a game-high six assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block, committing just one turnover in 38 minutes of court time.
Milestones
Jokic became the eighth different player in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game, joining Bob Pettit, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Curry increased his playoff career total to 4,053 points, passing Tony Parker (4,045) to move into the top 10 on the NBA’s all-time list. He also moved up the career playoff leaderboards in assists (933, 20th) and steals (226, tied for 25th).
The Cleveland Cavaliers routed the Miami Heat 124-87 to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference First Round series, handing Miami its worst playoff loss in franchise history. The previous record defeat of 36 points came at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on June 11, 2013.
Zach Edey (seven blocks) tied the Memphis Grizzlies record for most blocks in a playoff game. Jaren Jackson Jr. also recorded seven blocks versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 16, 2022.
Led by Edey’s seven rejections, the Memphis Grizzlies tied the franchise record for most blocks in a playoff game with 10. They also blocked 10 shots May 9, 2022 versus the Golden State Warriors.
Scotty Pippen Jr. (10-10 free throws) set a Memphis Grizzlies record for most free throws made in a playoff game without a miss. The previous record of nine makes without a misfire was shared by Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Courtney Lee.
Desmond Bane (2-8 on 3-pointers) has now made 72 threes in his playoff career, breaking a tie with Mike Conley atop the Memphis Grizzlies’ all-time list.
Streaking
Curry has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 17 playoff games, the longest such streak of his career. He’s averaging 30.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 6.3 APG with 48.1/38.7/86.8 shooting splits over that span.
Curry has scored in double figures in 108 consecutive playoff games, the longest such streak in Golden State Warriors history (by 60 games) and the 10th-longest such streak in NBA history.
The Miami Heat set a franchise record with their sixth straight playoff loss. They had lost five playoff games in a row on four previous occasions.
Miscellany
Gilgeous-Alexander was the day’s leading scorer, netting 38 points. Also producing 30-point efforts were Curry (36), Jokic (36), and Pippen Jr. (30).
Jokic was the chairman of the boards, hauling in 21 rebounds yesterday. The Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein, the Warriors’ Quinten Post, and the Clippers’ Ivica Zubac were runners-up with 12 boards apiece.
The Clippers’ James Harden and the Cavaliers’ Ty Jerome were the top playmakers yesterday, each handing out 11 assists. Curry ranked third with nine dimes.
Usually you mention season and career highs.
Post never had a double-digit rebound game before, same for Jerome in assists - either regular season or playoffs.