In addition to these unexpected losses at home, the Bucks, the number one seed in the East, and the Grizzlies, No. 2 in the West, have recorded injuries to their star players, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) and Ja Morant (Grizzlies), uncertain for the future.

To close this first weekend of playoffs, Denver, the No. 1 seed in the West, has for its part respected the logic against the Wolves: six Nuggets players scored at least 13 points, Nikola Jokic, the two-time MVP (best player) in title, distinguished himself with a double-double (13 pts, 14 rebounds and 6 assists).

On the Minnesota side, already trailing at the break (55-44), Anthony Edwards (18 pts) was the top scorer (18 pts), while the Frenchman Rudy Gobert, who took 13 rebounds, had to settle for 8 units.

For the rest, the favorites disappointed on Sunday.

Bucks sink without Giannis

In the East, the Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Heat (117-130), despite Khris Middleton's 33 points and 9 rebounds. Because the Wisconsin franchise fell on a Jimmy Butler of the big days, who scored 35 points and dished out 11 assists.

Above all, the Bucks lost to injury the two-time MVP 2019 and 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo, out in the first quarter, after injuring his lower back. His presence in Game 2 on Wednesday is uncertain.

Giannis Antetokounmpo injures his back during the Milwaukee Bucks' loss to the Miami Heat, during the NBA playoffs, on April 16, 2023 in Milwaukee © Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

The first exams (X-rays) are "good," said coach Mike Budenholzer. "We will monitor him and see how he wakes up tomorrow morning," he said.

Despite the win, Miami can also make faces as it lost Tyler Herro, who fractured his right hand and will be out for four to six weeks.

In Memphis, LeBron James' Lakers also created a surprise by winning the first game of the series against the Grizzlies (112-128).

The LA franchise was able to count on its superstar, James (21 pts, 11 rbds, 5 assists), and Anthony Davis (22 pts, 12 rbds) to show that they should be counted on, despite their No. 7 seed.

LeBron James, 38, who is participating in his sixteenth playoffs, has also become the oldest player to score at least 20 points, grab 10 rebounds and distribute 5 assists in the finals.

In addition to its star duo, the Lakers were able to count on the contribution of Austin Reaves, who scored 23 points in his first playoff game, and Rui Hachimura, who added 29 off the bench.

This is the first time since 1988 that the Lakers have four players with 20 or more points in a Finals game.

Morant also wounded

On the Grizzlies side, Ja Morant, limited to 18 points, was out injured late in the game and his status for Game 2 is, as for LeBron James, "uncertain", in his own words.

X-rays showed no fractures but "he has pain" in his right hand, said his coach Taylor Jenkins. "Let's take things day by day," he added.

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is caught in a pincer movement by LA Lakers star duo LeBron James and Anthony Davis during the first game of the NBA playoffs on April 6, 3 in Memphis © Justin Ford / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

In Phoenix, the other LA franchise, the Clippers, also won (115-110), against the Suns of Kevin Durant (27 pts, 11 assists, 9 rbds), Devin Booker (26 pts) and Chris Paul (7 pts, 11 rbds, 10 assists).

The Clippers, who were able to count on Kawhi Leonard (38 pts, 5 rbds, 5 assists), played without Paul George (right knee), still injured and who should miss the entire 1st round.

Russell Westbrook scored 9 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and made 3 blocks, including a particularly decisive one on Booker, with ten seconds left, sealing the Clippers' victory.

© 2023 AFP