The 2026 playoffs are underway, and our NBA insiders have you ever lined for each recreation within the march to the Finals. Which high seeds are cruising and which might be in peril of a first-round upset? Which stars are shining and which gamers are breaking by on the playoff stage?
Because the Western Convention playoffs proceed, this is what issues most and what to observe in all 4 collection.
Extra protection:
East takeaways | Schedules and outcomes | Offseason guides
Sport 2: Path Blazers 106, Spurs 103
Largest takeaway from Sport 2: Victor Wembanyama took a nasty spill on a drive to the basket as Jrue Vacation defended with 8:57 left within the second quarter and appeared to land squarely on his chin. Wembanyama headed to the locker room a number of minutes later, and the crew introduced he had entered concussion protocol and would miss the rest of the competition.
Wembanyama’s availability is now in query with the collection shifting on Friday to Portland for Video games 3 and 4 after a time off Wednesday adopted by a journey day on Thursday. Veteran backup Luke Kornet is loads able to filling in for Wembanyama, however the membership’s depth takes a success. Newcomer Mason Plumlee, Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo are viable choices as backup facilities, and the Spurs may decide to play rookie Carter Bryant on the 5 in smaller lineups. — Michael C. Wright
Sport 3: Spurs at Path Blazers (Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET, Prime)
What to observe in Sport 3: The Wembanyama damage modifications the dynamic, particularly for San Antonio’s total crew protection, and gives a sliver of hope for a scrappy Portland squad that has hung robust regardless of being outmanned when it comes to total expertise.
It is price noting that if Wembanyama is identified with a concussion, he cannot return to participation with out restrictions for a minimum of 48 hours after the time of damage and till he completes the league’s required return-to-participation course of. San Antonio has historically erred on the conservative aspect when bringing again gamers from damage, anyway. So, there is a good likelihood Portland will face a considerably undermanned Spurs squad at house for Sport 3. — Wright
Sport 2: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114
Largest takeaway from Sport 2: The Timberwolves stole the sport they wanted in Denver, thanks largely to Rudy Gobert’s defensive work towards Nikola Jokic. Gobert — early within the recreation and through a number of key possessions down the stretch — made life troublesome for the three-time MVP. Jokic shot 1-of-8 when guarded by Gobert, 1-of-2 in transition and 6-of-10 towards everybody else.
He surged within the third quarter after Gobert went to the bench with 4 fouls, however Gobert returned within the fourth quarter and compelled a trio of late misses that arrange Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards to tug Minnesota over the end line with some offensive heroics. These three mixed for 70 factors, sending the collection again to Minneapolis tied 1-1. — Anthony Slater
Sport 3: Nuggets at Timberwolves (Thursday, 9:30 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime)
What to observe in Sport 3: How will Edwards’ knee proceed to answer a heavy workload collection?
He missed 11 of the final 14 regular-season video games for a persistent proper knee concern that clearly continues to hassle him. He grimaced and grabbed it a minimum of twice within the first half. Nevertheless it appeared to loosen and Edwards by no means wanted to handle his courtroom time.
He performed a team-high 40 minutes, essentially the most he has logged since early February. That is 78 minutes in two video games for Edwards after solely three video games whole the earlier month. He wasn’t hyper environment friendly, however he was productive and confirmed that elite burst when wanted, ending with 30 factors, together with a first-half surge that introduced the Timberwolves again from an early 19-point deficit. He’ll get two days of relaxation earlier than Thursday’s Sport 3. — Slater
Sport 1: Thunder 119, Suns 84
Largest takeaway from Sport 1: A series-opening Sunday afternoon tip in Oklahoma Metropolis is not a good combat for a No. 8 seed that needed to combat to punch its playoff ticket Friday night time.
For the second straight yr, the Thunder had all however sealed the victory by halftime of Sport 1 within the first spherical. Oklahoma Metropolis, which was a 14.5-point favourite, led by 21 on the half, fueled by scoring 21 factors off 10 Phoenix turnovers. It was the biggest halftime lead of any playoff recreation this weekend, however it’s acquainted territory for Oklahoma Metropolis, which led by a minimum of 20 on the half 3 times throughout its title run final postseason.
To their credit score, the Suns had a way more respectable exhibiting than the Memphis Grizzlies did a yr in the past, when the Thunder rolled to a 51-point victory in Sport 1. — Tim MacMahon
Sport 2: Suns at Thunder (Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What to observe in Sport 2: The Suns must discover a resolution to decelerate Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander’s sidekick who’s as wholesome as he has been all season after coming off summer season wrist surgical procedure and coping with recurring hamstring points.
Williams completed with 22 factors on 9-of-15 capturing and 6 assists in 29 minutes. It did not assist Phoenix that guard Jordan Goodwin, who took the defensive project on Gilgeous-Alexander to start out the sport, bought into early foul hassle. That compelled the Suns to modify Dillon Brooks onto Gilgeous-Alexander and use lesser defenders on Williams, whose penetration into the paint created all types of issues.
The sport bought out of attain throughout Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven-minute relaxation to start out the second quarter, a span wherein Williams had 4 factors and 4 assists. — MacMahon
Sport 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98
Largest takeaway from Sport 1: The Lakers had been dealt a horrible hand when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered accidents a few weeks earlier than the playoffs started. On Saturday, Los Angeles caught a break when Rockets star Kevin Durant was a late scratch due to a proper knee damage. And the Lakers seized the chance.
Apart from the ultimate 4 minutes of the second quarter, when the Lakers struggled and turned the ball over 5 instances to permit Houston to chop the lead from eight to 2 factors, L.A. performed a superb offensive recreation. LeBron James (19 factors, 12 assists, 8 rebounds) ignited the motion with eight assists within the first quarter — essentially the most assists in any quarter of his playoff profession, in keeping with ESPN Analysis — and the ball flowed the remainder of the night time, with all 5 starters scoring in double digits.
Luke Kennard, who scored a career-playoff-high 27 factors on 9-for-13 capturing, was a favourite goal of James, however Deandre Ayton (18 factors on 8-of-10 capturing) and Rui Hachimura (14 factors on 6-of-10 capturing) additionally made essentially the most of their touches. The Lakers stated all week that they had rediscovered their perception after their backcourt went down. That perception will solely develop going into Sport 2. — Dave McMenamin
Sport 2: Rockets at Lakers (Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to observe in Sport 2: The apparent query for Houston is whether or not Durant can be obtainable. With out the fifth-leading scorer in league historical past, the Rockets’ offense was rudderless. Houston shot simply 37.6%, with Alperen Sengun lacking 13 of his 19 pictures, Reed Sheppard lacking 14 of his 20, Amen Thompson lacking 11 of his 18 and Jabari Smith Jr. lacking 9 of his 14.
The Lakers had the ultimate 5 video games of the common season and all week in the course of the play-in match to tinker with their recreation plan to outlive with out Doncic and Reaves, however the Rockets needed to regulate to Durant’s damage on the fly. How Durant heals within the subsequent 48 hours, or how the Rockets recreation plan for Tuesday if he is not obtainable, may properly resolve the collection. — McMenamin
