While the NBA playoffs always throw up surprising results, it’s rare to see multiple big upsets on the same day. That changed on Monday night when a pair of heavy underdogs won their respective games, the first time that has happened in 25 years.
The New York Knicks shocked the Boston Celtics in TD Garden, beating the defending NBA champions 108-105 in overtime despite being down 20 points at one point in the third quarter. OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson both scored 29 points to lead their team to victory despite being a 9.5-point underdog.
Nikola Jokić scored 42 points and secured 22 rebounds during the game
The Denver Nuggets overcame the number one seed Oklahoma City Thunder 121-119 in the Paycom Center. Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić scored 42 points and secured 22 rebounds during the game, with Aaron Gordon’s three-pointer in the closing seconds clinching victory:
Russell Westbrook supplied the pass to Gordon in what was his first-ever playoff game against his old team. The Nuggets were even bigger underdogs than the Knicks, with most sportsbooks having the spread at 10.5 points.
Despite these Game One upsets, the Thunder and Celtics are still heavy favorites to win their respective best-of-seven-game series.
