What NBA Playoff games are on today, Monday 2 May 2022?
After tipping off on Sunday, the NBA Playoff Semi-Finals continue with Game 1 of two matchups between the top seed and fourth seed in each conference.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Miami Heat
The Philadelphia Sixers will be without star man Joel Embiid when they visit top seeds the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Monday. Embiid has been ruled out of the matchup with a facial fracture and concussion suffered in Game 6 of the Sixers’ 4-2 First Round series win over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, and is also struggling with a thumb injury.
Embiid is also expected to miss Game 2 on Wednesday, as fourth seeds Philadelphia look to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001.
Meanwhile, the Heat’s standout individual, Jimmy Butler, says he will be fine to play, after being sidelined for Game 5 of Miami’s 4-1 series victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, having suffered an injury to his knee. “I know it will be ready to hold up come Monday,” he said.
Ex-Sixer Butler also expressed his disappointment at Embiid’s absence. “I feel bad for my guy,” the 32-year-old said. “Obviously, one of my former teammates, arguably the MVP of this league. And I think I speak for everybody that’s a part of this team, we want Jo to play. We want to go up against them at full strength and prove that we can hang with anybody and we can beat anybody. It’s a mishap. I hope he recovers well and gets back very, very soon.”
While the 76ers haven’t reached the Conference Finals in just over two decades, Miami have racked up six conference titles and three NBA championships since 2006, most recently coming out on top in the East in 2020. Their last NBA title was in 2013.
Time: 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
Venue: FTX Arena, Miami
TV: TNT
Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns
Monday also witnesses a clash between the top seed and the fourth seed in the Western Conference Semi-Finals, as the Phoenix Suns host the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 at Footprint Center.
The Suns, champions in the East in 2020/21, had to do without Devin Booker in Games 3, 4 and 5 of their 4-2 First Round win over the New Orleans Pelicans, after the shooting guard suffered a hamstring problem in Game 2. However, Booker returned for Phoenix’s series-clinching victory on Thursday.
Speaking after Game 6, Suns head coach Monty Williams said Booker is suffering no after-effects from his injury. “He didn’t look like he was dragging or laboring at all,” Williams said. ”And he told me, he said, ‘Coach, I feel fine, it’s strong, I have no issues.’”
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Dallas were also missing a key man for three games of their First Round series, after losing Luka Doncic to a calf strain. However, the Slovenian was back for Games 4, 5 and 6 as the Mavs eliminated the Utah Jazz 4-2, hitting two double-doubles. “The first game, I was a little janky, but [after that] I felt better,” he said.
The Mavs last reached the Western Conference Finals in 2011 - a season in which the franchise went on to win its sole NBA championship.
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Venue: Footprint Center, Phoenix
TV: TNT
