Hawks, Sixers, Nuggets aim to fight elimination
The Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets could all have their seasons end on Thursday as the NBA Playoffs resume with a trio of high-stakes Game 6 showdowns.
Here is your Lindy's NBA Primer for what to look for on April 30:
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The best-of-7 series was tied 2-2 before the Knicks dominated the Hawks 126-97 at Madison Square Garden. The series goes back to Atlanta for Game 6, a must-win moment for the Hawks if they're to keep their season alive for a Game 7.
Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.2 ppg in this series, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Onunoby are adding 20 ppg for the Knicks, whose two losses this series have been by a single point.
The Hawks have five players averaging 14.2 ppg or more, led by the 20.8 from CJ McCollum. The road Knicks are favored, but only slightly, in a must-win environment for Atlanta.
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (8 p.m., Peacock/NBC)
Boston collapsed in the fourth quarter of a tie game, outscored 28-11 in a 113-97 loss at home. Joel Embiid scored 33 points, and now the Sixers, down 3-2 in the best-of-7 series, get to return home and try to force a Game 7.
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Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 46 points in Game 5, but on 17-of-42 shooting (40.5%). The Celtics can end it here; their 28-15 record on the road this season is better than the 76ers' 23-20 home mark.
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Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Denver trailed the best-of-7 series 3-1 before earning a 125-113 home victory on Tuesday. Now the Nuggets must head to Minnesota, as the Timberwolves look to advance on their home court.
Nikola Jokic registered a triple-double and Jamal Murray scored 24 points in Game 5. The Nuggets will rely on its stars again to keep the series going and get back to Denver for Game 7.
The Wolves can't lean on their star, with Anthony Edwards still recovering from a knee injury. Julius Randle scored 27 points in Game 5, one of six Wolves in double figures. Someone else will need to step up to close out the series.
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Edmonton forced Game 6 with a dominant 4-1 Game 5 home win, jumping on the Ducks early with goals from Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl. Connor McDavid's Oilers still trail the best-of-7 series 3-2, so they must try again to stave off elimination again, this time at the Honda Center.
Anaheim, one win from advancing, remains led by superior goaltending and depth (players like Ryan Poehling, Leo Carlsson) pressure Edmonton. The Oilers are slightly favored, but both sides should feel the pressure. Anaheim doesn't want to return to Canada for a Game 7.
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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 12:10 PM.