The 2026 NBA playoffs are delivering incredible excitement. In the Eastern Conference, three out of four first-round series are now tied at 3-3. These teams must play a final Game 7 to decide who moves forward.
Eastern Conference Action
The 76ers forced a Game 7 against the Celtics on Thursday. Following this, the Pistons and Raptors both won their games on Friday.
The top-seeded Pistons shocked the Magic in Orlando. They trailed by 22 points at halftime. However, they scored 55 points in the second half while the Magic missed 23 straight shots. Later that night, RJ Barrett made a wild 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left. This lucky bounce lifted the Raptors over the Cavaliers 112-110.
The New York Knicks are the only Eastern team to advance so far. They crushed the Hawks on Thursday night. They led by 47 points at halftime and eventually won the game by 51 points.
Western Conference Developments
The Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the Houston Rockets late Friday. They led the series 3-0 but lost two games. Finally, they managed to close out the series on the road. They will now face the top-seeded Thunder.
The Minnesota Timberwolves also moved on by eliminating the Denver Nuggets. They won Game 6 at home despite missing Anthony Edwards and three other key players. Consequently, Minnesota will face the Spurs in the second round. They are currently looking to reach their third straight Western Conference finals.
Play-In Tournament Recap
The postseason field began with 20 teams. The Play-In Tournament trimmed this list down to 16 teams earlier this month. The Heat, Clippers, Hornets, and Warriors were knocked out during this phase. Conversely, the 76ers, Magic, Trail Blazers, and Suns earned their spots in the final playoff field.
Upcoming Schedule and Final Scores
All game times are in Eastern time.
Saturday, May 2
- Game 7: Celtics vs. 76ers at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
Sunday, May 3
- Game 7: Pistons vs. Magic at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
- Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Raptors at 7:30 p.m. on NBC.
First-Round Series Highlights
- Knicks defeated Hawks 4-2.
- Timberwolves defeated Nuggets 4-2.
- Lakers defeated Rockets 4-2.
- Thunder defeated Suns 4-0.
- Spurs defeated Trail Blazers 4-1.
Key Playoff Dates
- Second round begins: May 2-4.
- NBA Draft Lottery: May 10.
- Eastern Conference Finals start: May 19.
- Western Conference Finals start: May 20.
- NBA Finals Game 1: June 3.