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 ⭐️
Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double, compiling game highs of 31 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds (tied with two others) in the Dallas Mavericks’ 104-92 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of their Western Conference Semifinals series. Dallas will head home with a chance to close out the series in Game 6 Saturday night.
Doncic made 12 of his 22 field goal attempts, sinking five shots from 3-point range. He posted a rating of plus-13 points in his team-high 41 minutes played.
Second ⭐️
Jayson Tatum produced team highs of 25 points and nine assists as the Boston Celtics eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 113-98 victory in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. The Celtics move on to the conference finals for the sixth time in the last eight years, where they will face either the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers.
Tatum shot 9-16 from the floor — including 3-7 from 3-point range — and made all four of his free throw attempts. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded a game-high four steals, committing just one turnover in a team-high 43 minutes of action.
Third ⭐️
Al Horford scored 22 points and hauled in a game-high 15 rebounds in the Celtics’ series-clinching win over the Cavaliers. Horford shot 8-15 from the field, making six of his 13 attempts from 3-point range. He also recorded five assists and a game-high three blocks in 35 minutes of playing time.
Milestones
Doncic finished as a playoff game’s leader in points, rebounds, and assists (either outright or tied) for the 10th time in his postseason career. The only other player in NBA history to reach that mark is LeBron James with 22 such games.
Doncic has three career 30-point triple-doubles in the playoffs. He’s the third player in NBA history age 25 years or younger to reach that mark, joining Oscar Robertson (seven) and James (three).
The Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving made both of his long-range attempts, becoming the 30th player in NBA history to reach 200 career 3-pointers made in the playoffs. He passed Scottie Pippen and Michael Finley (both with 200) to move into 28th place on the all-time list.
At 37 years and 347 days old, Horford became the oldest player in NBA history to record at least 10 rebounds and five 3-pointers made in a playoff game. He surpassed James, who was 35 years and 284 days old when he achieved the feat on Oct. 9, 2020.
Horford is just the third player in NBA history to record at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game after his 37th birthday. He joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (May 30, 1985) and James (April 24, 2023).
Finally, Horford is one of only six players in NBA history to record at least 15 rebounds, five assists, and five 3-pointers made in a playoff game. The others to accomplish the feat are Kevin Durant (May 15, 2014), Draymond Green (June 19, 2016), Paul George (April 20, 2017), Russell Westbrook (April 25, 2018), and Stephen Curry (April 13, 2019).
Streaking
The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied 30 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a loss to the Mavericks. Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in each of his last four games, tying Russell Westbrook (April 19-25, 2017) for the longest such postseason streak in franchise history.
Gilgeous-Alexander is just the second player in franchise history to open a postseason with nine straight 20-point games. He joins Kevin Durant, who achieved the feat three times (2011-2013).
Gilgeous-Alexander’s teammate, Luguentz Dort, made two 3-pointers, the 11th straight playoff game in which he’s hit multiple threes. That breaks a tie with Kevin Durant (April 27, 2010 to May 7, 2011) for the longest such streak in franchise history.
Doncic has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his 39 career playoff games, the second-longest such streak to start a playoff career in NBA history. Overall, it’s the longest 3-point streak in franchise postseason history and the sixth-longest 3-point streak in NBA postseason history.
Miscellany
The Cavaliers’ Evan Mobley led all scorers last night with a playoff career-high 33 points. Doncic (31), Gilgeous-Alexander (30), the Cavaliers’ Marcus Morris Sr. (25), and Tatum (25) also produced 25-point efforts.
Horford was the night’s top board man, securing 15 rebounds. Tatum and a trio of Mavericks — Doncic, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington — snagged 10 boards apiece.
Doncic was the leading playmaker, handing out 11 assists last night. Tatum and the Cavaliers’ duo of Darius Garland and Max Strus ranked second with nine dimes each.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are 6-0 in the 2024 NBA Playoffs when they give up fewer than 100 points, but 0-3 when they allow their opponent to reach the century mark.