NBA Western Conference update: April 25

April winds down just as the 2024 NBA Playoffs begin. The Western Conference sent eight teams to the First Round. Each series heads to the lower-seed arenas as the weekend begins.

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans

Without Zion Williamson, the Pelicans struggle to shut down lay-ups and buckets in the paint. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an MVP nominee, scored a combined 61 points in the first two games of the series, setting the Thunder up with a 2-0 series lead.

Game 1 filled itself with turnovers with a combined 13 from both teams in the first three quarters before 14 in the fourth quarter alone. In these close games, the Pelicans have to step up defensively as they are missing players to injury at the moment.

In Game 2, the Thunder were able to find themselves at the free throw line 20 times setting up a comfortable 124-92 victory,

No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers

The Nuggets take a 2-0 lead as the series moves to Los Angeles.

In Game 1, the Nuggets scored 18 points off of second-chance baskets and 14 points off of turnovers.

LeBron James spoke after Game 2 about how the officiating has not been favorable, specifically regarding the call on an overturned foul by Michael Porter Jr.

Jamal Murray shot lights out in both games so far, for a combined 42 points, and the Lakers look to shut him down heading into their two-game homestand.

No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns

Heading home to Phoenix, the Suns look to create a home sweep just as the Timberwolves did in the first two games to build a 2-0 series lead.

The Timberwolves locked down on defense securing a 25-point, 120-95 victory in Game 1. Jaden McDaniels shut down Devin Booker who went just 1-of-7 from the field for a total of 18 points.

Game 1 was rough offensively for the Suns who shot 44% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.

They did not really improve this in Game 2 as they stayed at a 44% rate from the field and improved slightly to a 36% completion rate beyond the arc.

The Suns need their trio of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to step up in the remainder of the first round to avoid a sweep.

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks

Once benched by Ty Lue, Ivica Zubac has shown up in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, scoring a playoff-high 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in Game 1 for the Clippers.

Game 1 was dominated by the Clippers who held a 29-point lead at one point before a 109-97 win.

After a very back-and-forth game, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and company dropped Game 2 of the series after winning the first.

Leonard played his first game since March 15 and did well, recording 15 points and seven rebounds in a matter of 35 minutes.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were able to score a combined 55 points and secured 6 rebounds each.

Julia Henry is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her please email jbh6443@psu.edu.