NBA Playoffs Result Today: Who Won and Which Teams Are Advancing?

As I sit down to analyze tonight's NBA playoff results, I can't help but reflect on how this postseason continues to surprise us. The intensity has been absolutely electric, and tonight's games were no exception. What struck me most was watching Golden State's performance - particularly Klay Thompson's showing in their 103-92 defeat. Now, I've been covering the NBA for over a decade, and I've seen Thompson deliver some legendary playoff performances, but tonight felt different somehow.

Looking at Thompson's stat line from Friday night's game, there are some interesting takeaways. He finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, which shows he was definitely more active compared to his previous outing. But here's what really caught my eye - he shot just 5-of-14 from the field. That's 35.7% if you're counting, which for a shooter of Thompson's caliber is frankly underwhelming. What's even more curious is that he wound up without a single assist. Zero. In 32 minutes of play. That's unusual for someone who typically moves the ball well within their offensive system. I remember thinking during the third quarter how the offense seemed to stagnate whenever the ball found Thompson, and the stats unfortunately bear that out.

The broader playoff picture is taking shape, and I've got to say, some teams are showing championship DNA while others are revealing concerning flaws. From where I sit, the teams advancing look stronger than ever, but there are definitely some vulnerabilities that could be exploited in the next round. The margin for error shrinks with each passing game, and we're seeing which players can elevate their game when it matters most. Thompson's performance tonight, while improved in some areas, still leaves me questioning whether he can recapture that playoff magic that made him so dangerous in previous championship runs.

What fascinates me about playoff basketball is how quickly narratives can change. One game a player looks unstoppable, the next they're struggling to find their rhythm. Thompson's night exemplifies this perfectly - he grabbed nine rebounds, which shows his engagement and effort, but that shooting percentage and lack of playmaking really hurt his team's offensive flow. I've always believed that great playoff performers impact the game in multiple ways, and when one aspect of their game isn't working, they find other avenues to contribute. Tonight, Thompson's rebounding was solid, but his inability to create for others stood out like a sore thumb in the playoff atmosphere.

As we look ahead to which teams are advancing, I'm seeing patterns emerge that could determine how deep each team goes. The teams that survive and advance typically have multiple players who can create offense, not just for themselves but for others. When your second or third option goes 5-for-14 with zero assists, that puts tremendous pressure on your primary scorers and makes the offense predictable. Defenses in the playoffs are too smart - they'll exploit those weaknesses mercilessly. From my experience covering numerous playoff runs, balanced scoring and playmaking often separate the contenders from the pretenders as we move deeper into the postseason.

The beauty of the NBA playoffs is that every game writes a new chapter in these players' legacies. Thompson, who has built his reputation as one of the greatest shooters in playoff history, now faces another test of his resilience. I've seen him bounce back from slumps before, but at this stage of his career, with the mileage on those legs, the question becomes whether he can consistently deliver when his team needs him most. The teams that ultimately advance are the ones who get contributions from across their roster, not just their stars. What we witnessed tonight suggests that Golden State might need to make some adjustments if they hope to continue their playoff journey.

Watching these playoff games, I'm reminded why I fell in love with basketball analytics in the first place. The numbers tell a story, but they don't always capture the full picture. Thompson's 14 points and nine rebounds look decent on paper, but the shooting efficiency and lack of playmaking reveal underlying issues that could haunt them against better opponents. As we track which teams are advancing, keep an eye on these subtle statistical trends - they often foreshadow playoff destinies before the final buzzer sounds. Personally, I believe the championship teams find ways to win even when their shots aren't falling, and that requires contributing in other ways that don't always show up in the basic box score.