Thunder, Pacers and Timberwolves look to stay focused after lopsided playoff-opening wins

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves will try to avoid complacency when they return to action on Tuesday after dominating their first-round playoff series openers.

The Thunder, the top seed in the Western Conference, rolled past the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 on Sunday. It was the fifth-largest postseason victory margin in NBA history and a record for a Game 1.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the goal for Monday’s practice was to bring everything down a few notches.

“A good neutral day,” Daigneault said. “That’s what you want to have the day after the game. Games are emotional one way or the other, and you want to come in and get to neutral pretty quickly and just dig into the the facts of the game, dig into the plays, dig into the fundamentals.”

Memphis also is trying not to make too big a deal about the first game.

“The outcome shouldn’t play any part in our preparation for the next game," interim Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “It’s always, you take the the hours you are afforded and you make the best out of those. So our goal is to win this one here (on Tuesday). I think there’s the old saying that the playoff series doesn’t start before there’s a road win. You’re expected to defend your home court. We will be better in the next game.”

Minnesota defeated the Lakers 117-95 on Saturday and seized homecourt advantage in their Western Conference series. Though Luka Doncic scored 37 points for third-seeded Los Angeles, the Timberwolves slowed LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Indiana, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, rolled past No. 5 seed Milwaukee 117-98 on Saturday. The Pacers led 69-43 at halftime and cruised from there.

Things could be much different if Bucks star Damian Lillard returns after missing Game 1. The nine-time All-Star hasn’t played since March 18 as he recovered from deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. He was on the bench in the opener and even got a technical foul for jawing with Indiana's Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton. He is listed as questionable for the game.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers wouldn't say Monday if Lillard would return. Haliburton said the Pacers are ready if he does.

“It can happen at any time — I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened tomorrow,” Haliburton said. “So we’ve got to be prepared for whatever that is, understanding that in the playoffs, it ain’t about individual performances, it’s about winning.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 7 p.m. EDT (NBA TV)

Series: Pacers lead, 1-0

BetMGM Sportsbook says: Pacers by 4.5.

What to Know: Though Lillard is likely to be limited if he plays, it would be worth watching whether his presence would help Milwaukee turn things around after the embarrassing 19-point loss in Game 1. Lillard’s presence is needed for a team that went 9-for-37 from 3-point range in the opener. He averaged 31.3 points per game in last year’s first-round playoff series against Indiana. Perhaps that’s why Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who is planning for Lillard’s return, acknowledged Saturday that Game 2 will be “monumentally” tougher than Game 1. Still, the Pacers are a perfect 7-0 in postseason home games when All-Star Tyrese Haliburton plays, and Indiana has won four of its last five playoff games against Milwaukee.

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 7:30 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Thunder lead, 1-0

BetMGM Sportsbook says: Thunder by 14.5.

What to Know: Including the regular season, Oklahoma City has won all five games against the Grizzlies by double figures this season. Oklahoma City dominated Game 1, despite NBA scoring champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring only 15 points. Aaron Wiggins scored 21 points to lead the Thunder in Game 1 and he didn't even play in the first quarter. He was the 11th player to enter the game for Oklahoma City. Thunder players are disappointed that their primary defensive stopper, Lu Dort, was not a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year, and the perceived slight seems to have motivated them. Memphis will need more out of its top scorers. Ja Morant scored 17 points on just 6-for-17 shooting in the opener and Jaren Jackson Jr. scored four points on 2-for-13 shooting.

When/Where to Watch: Game 2, 10 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Wolves lead, 1-0.

BetMGM Sportsbook says: Lakers by 5.5

What to Know: After a tumultuous regular season that surprisingly ended with 50 wins and a Pacific Division title, the Lakers will be in big trouble if LeBron James and Luka Doncic can’t answer Minnesota’s impressive performance in the series opener. The Wolves hit a franchise playoff-record 21 3-pointers while carving up the Los Angeles defense inside and out, and Doncic’s 37 points weren’t enough to overcome a passive 19-point effort by James and a poor all-around game from Austin Reaves. JJ Redick’s top job might be finding a way to slow Jaden McDaniels, who took advantage of Minnesota’s size mismatches across the front line to score 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting.

AP Sports Writers Greg Beacham, Mike Marot and Steve Megargee contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, right, dries toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo defends during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, goes up for a dunk as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, right, defends during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, center, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, right, and guard Luka Doncic defend during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, front, heads to the basket as Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo defends during the second half of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives past Milwaukee Bucks' Ryan Rollins during the first half of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks to pass the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks to pass between Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) and forward Marvin Bagley III, right, during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Sirianni understood the risks associated with his decision to rest Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and most of the Eagles' key starters with the No. 2 seed in the NFC at stake.

His backup plan backfired in the moment, and the Super Bowl champions will start their postseason defense of the title as the 3 seed.

With Hurts and Barkley on the bench and the Eagles' second-stringers failing to meet the moment, the Washington Commanders got fourth-quarter passing and rushing touchdowns from Josh Johnson and beat Philadelphia 24-17 on Sunday.

“I knew this was an outcome, that these things could happen,” said Sirianni, who has coached the Eagles to two of the last three Super Bowls. “One thing I could guarantee was giving them rest. I couldn't guarantee them anything else. Being healthy and going into the playoffs healthy is a big deal for us.”

The NFC East champion Eagles (11-6) will open the playoffs at home next weekend against San Francisco.

The final outcome of Sirianni's call won't be determined until the Eagles' postseason run is over. Perhaps a physical and mental break — essentially a bye week for the core starters — was what the Eagles needed to gear up for a Super Bowl run.

“I know there will be debate on that,” Sirianni said.

Good call.

The Eagles needed help to earn the No. 2 seed. They had to beat the Commanders and Detroit needed to win at Chicago. Sure enough, the Lions beat the Bears 19-16 to add another gut punch to the Eagles' loss.

With Jayden Daniels shut down and Marcus Mariota dealing with a leg injury, the Commanders (5-12) started Johnson, their 39-year-old third-stringer. Johnson rallied the Commanders from a 17-10 hole with a 2-yard touchdown pass to John Bates and then scored on a 1-yard run with 2:32 left.

With Hurts, Barkley, wide receiver A.J. Brown and tight end Dallas Goedert sitting out, Philadelphia couldn't rally late.

Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, who came out of retirement in midseason to chase another Super Bowl, defended Sirianni's decision.

“It's valuable because you get an extra week to get your body together, especially if you've been dealing with some stuff,” Graham said. “Now it don't matter. We've got to try and go win every game. First one at home, take care of business and on to the next.”

The Eagles had to watch and root — for the Lions, too — like everyone else.

Eagles fans cheered when each Detroit score against Chicago was shown on the videoboard. Sirianni said during the week he also would be scoreboard-watching, though he kept the cheering to his team’s own plays, such as Tanner McKee’s 15-yard TD pass to Grant Calcaterra for a 7-0 lead in the second quarter.

The Commanders, also playing backups in a forgettable season a year after they faced the Eagles in the NFC championship game, refused to roll over and twisted the stomachs of Eagles fans into knots — and got them ready to light up talk radio this week.

“I didn't really think too much about the negatives of it,” Sirianni said.

McKee had been impressive in limited action as Hurts’ backup over the last two seasons but did little to improve his stock in the finale.

He was 21 of 40 for 241 yards with an interception and was sacked on the final drive to end the Eagles' shot at the 2 seed and the possibility of two home playoff games that would come with it.

Jake Moody sent Washington into halftime with a 10-7 lead on a 56-yard field goal.

The Eagles pounced on a fumble in the third quarter and Tank Bigbsy, the sure-handed backup to Barkley, scored for a 14-10 lead. Jake Elliott kicked a 39-yarder for a 17-10 lead.

The Eagles' chances were upended when Kelee Ringo — yes, a backup — was flagged for pass interference to set up Johnson's go-ahead rushing TD.

“I know to the rest of the world, this might not mean nothing,” Johnson said.

In Philly, the game sure meant something — and the hand-wringing will only continue.

Smith was one of the Eagles regulars who earned snaps, and he topped 1,000 yards receiving for the third time in his career.

Smith entered the game 44 yards shy and exceeded 1,000 yards before the end of the first quarter. He had three catches for 52 yards — including a 27-yarder on his final reception that gave him a team-high 1,008 yards.

Smith was immediately pulled from the game.

“We were safe with him as far as what kind of routes we were running and what he was doing,” Sirianni said.

Brown didn't need to play because he already had 1,003 yards.

Eagles: Calcaterra left with an ankle/knee injury. Offensive lineman Brandon Toth was evaluated for a concussion.

The Commanders are set to have a top-10 pick in the NFL draft.

The Eagles could play two road games — including a divisional-round game at Chicago — if they want to return to the Super Bowl. The Eagles were 3 1/2-point favorites to beat the 49ers, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles place kicker Jake Elliott (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Washington Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson (14) is brought down by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates (87) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates (87) scores a touchdown in front of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell (30) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (16) looks to pass while under pressure from Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)