2026 NBA playoffs: Western Conference first-round takeaways
The 2026 playoffs are underway, and our NBA insiders have you ever coated for each recreation within the march to the Finals. Which high seeds are cruising and which might be at risk of a first-round upset? Which stars are shining and which gamers are breaking by on the playoff stage?
As the Western Conference playoffs proceed, this is what issues most and what to look at in all 4 collection.
More protection:
East takeaways | Schedules and results | Offseason guides
Game 2: Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: Victor Wembanyama took a nasty spill on a drive to the basket as Jrue Holiday 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 Games 3 and 4 after a day without work 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 might choose to play rookie Carter Bryant on the 5 in smaller lineups. — Michael C. Wright
Game 3: Spurs at Trail Blazers (Friday, 10:30 pm ET, Prime)
What to look at in Game 3: The Wembanyama damage adjustments 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 by way of total expertise.
It’s value noting that if Wembanyama is recognized with a concussion, he cannot return to participation with out restrictions for at the very least 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 probability Portland will face a considerably undermanned Spurs squad at house for Game 3. — Wright
Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: The Timberwolves stole the sport they wanted in Denver, thanks largely to Rudy Gobert‘s defensive work in opposition to 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 in opposition to everybody else.
He emerged 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 pull Minnesota over the end line with some offensive heroics. Those three mixed for 70 factors, sending the collection again to Minneapolis tied 1-1. — Anthony Slater
Game 3: Nuggets at Timberwolves (Thursday, 9:30 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime)
What to look at in Game 3: How will Edwards’ knee proceed to reply to 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 at the very least twice within the first half. But 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’s 78 minutes in two video games for Edwards after solely three video games complete 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 will get two days of relaxation earlier than Thursday’s Game 3. — Slater
Game 1: Thunder 119, Suns 84
Biggest takeaway from Game 1: A series-opening Sunday afternoon tip in Oklahoma City is not a good struggle for a No. 8 seed that needed to struggle to punch its playoff ticket Friday night time.
For the second straight 12 months, the Thunder had all however sealed the victory by halftime of Game 1 within the first spherical. Oklahoma City, 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 City, which led by at the very least 20 on the half thrice throughout its title run final postseason.
To their credit score, the Suns had a way more respectable displaying than the Memphis Grizzlies did a 12 months in the past, when the Thunder rolled to a 51-point victory in Game 1. — Tim MacMahon
Game 2: Suns at Thunder (Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What to look at in Game 2: The Suns have to discover a answer to decelerate Jalen WilliamsGilgeous-Alexander’s sidekick who’s as wholesome as he has been all season after coming off summer time 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 Goodwinwho took the defensive task on Gilgeous-Alexander to start out the sport, acquired into early foul bother. That pressured the Suns to change Dillon Brooks onto Gilgeous-Alexander and use lesser defenders on Williams, whose penetration into the paint created every kind of issues.
The recreation acquired out of attain throughout Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven-minute relaxation to start out the second quarter, a span by which Williams had 4 factors and 4 assists. — MacMahon
Game 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98
Biggest takeaway from Game 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 It was a late scratch due to a proper knee damage. And the Lakers seized the chance.
Other than 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, LA 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 response to ESPN Research — and the ball flowed the remainder of the night time, with all 5 starters scoring in double digits.
Luke Kennardwho 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 they’d rediscovered their perception after their backcourt went down. That perception will solely develop going into Game 2. — Dave McMenamin
Game 2: Rockets at Lakers (Tuesday, 10:30 pm ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to look at in Game 2: The apparent query for Houston is whether or not Durant will likely be obtainable. Without 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 photographs, 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 throughout the play-in match to tinker with their recreation plan to outlive with out Doncic and Reaves, however the Rockets needed to modify 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, might nicely determine the collection. — McMenamin