2026 NBA playoffs: Conference semifinals takeaways
The second spherical of the 2026 NBA playoffs is right here, and our NBA insiders have you ever coated for each recreation of the Eastern and Western conference semi-finals.
The No. 2-seeded New York Knicks have opened their East collection by beating the 7-seed Philadelphia 76ers twice for a 2-0 collection lead. The No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons adopted New York, capturing a 2-0 collection lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.
In the West, the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolveswho had Anthony Edwards (left knee injury) again for Game 1, stole a win over the 2-seed San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama on Monday. On Wednesday, the Spurs evened the collection with a 38-point blowout victory over Minnesota. The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunderwho swept the Phoenix Suns within the first spherical, picked up the place they left off with wins over the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday and Thursday.
As groups chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy, this is what issues most in each conferences and what to observe for in all 4 collection.
Jump to a collection:
76ers-Knicks | Cavaliers-Pistons
Timberwolves-Spurs | Lakers-Thunder
More protection:
Schedules and results | Offseason guides
Western Conference
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: The Thunder gave the impression to be in critical jeopardy of struggling their first postseason loss when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander picked up his fourth foul solely 86 seconds into the third quarter, with the Lakers holding a five-point lead. But Oklahoma City dominated the remainder of the quarter as Gilgeous-Alexander cheered on the bench, utilizing a 22-4 run to take command.
Oklahoma City’s outstanding depth and dominant protection have been on full show. Jared McCainthe tenth man within the rotation, scored eight of his 18 factors throughout the spurt, Ajay Mitchell (20 factors, 5 assists), who wasn’t a part of the playoff rotation final season, operated the offense with poise and precision, and the Thunder transformed seven turnovers into 11 factors, because the Lakers confronted a 2-0 gap with the collection heading to Los Angeles. –Tim MacMahon
Game 3: Thunder at LakersSaturday, 8:30 pm ET, ABC)
What to observe in Game 3: Can the Lakers shield the ball higher at dwelling? They had 18 turnovers that fueled 20 factors for OKC in Game 1 and 21 that become 26 Thunder factors in Game 2. Beyond the Thunder’s ball-hawking protection, Paycom Center obtained so loud throughout OKC’s runs that the Lakers’ errors appeared to compound themselves, as LA succumbed to the chaos. Despite being down 2-0, LA proved it might cling round for large chunks of each video games. It was only a few Thunder blitzes — 11-0 within the first quarter, 22-4 within the third and 14-3 within the fourth — that actually sealed the Lakers’ destiny.
With Austin Reaves coming off a career-playoff excessive 31 factors Thursday and LeBron James (23 factors on 9-of-18 capturing) and Rui Hachimura (16 factors on 6-of-10) staying in rhythm, LA should show it could possibly put collectively 4 full quarters at Crypto.com Arena if it needs any likelihood of creating this a collection. — Dave McMenamin
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: After San Antonio’s beautiful loss to Minnesota in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, De’Aaron Fox He stood calmly within the locker room and described the errors San Antonio made as “very fixable.” The Spurs demonstrated as a lot in Game 2, dominating the Timberwolves 133-95 for the third-largest playoff victory in franchise historical past. San Antonio tied the collection 1-1 and can head to Minnesota, the place the Spurs have not received of their previous seven journeys. The All-Star duo of Fox and Victor Wembanyama mixed for simply 21 factors in Game 1 however had already surpassed that complete halfway via the second quarter by coming collectively for 28 factors.
San Antonio restricted Minnesota within the first half to its fewest factors (35), worst subject purpose share (29.8%) and fewest 3-pointers (2) in any opening half this season, counting the common season and the playoffs. The Timberwolves began the second half on a 9-0 run, however the Spurs rapidly locked them down with suffocating protection.
San Antonio racked up 13 factors off 19 Minnesota turnovers via the primary three quarters, outscoring the guests 40-24 within the paint over that span. Wembanyama and Luke Kornet held Minnesota’s shooters to 5-of-19 from the ground via the primary three quarters on makes an attempt they contested.
Meanwhile, Julian Champagniewho missed the potential profitable shot in Game 1, shot 4-of-4 from 3-point vary within the third quarter as San Antonio drilled seven 3-pointers within the quarter, the membership’s most in a playoff quarter over the previous 30 postseasons, in accordance with ESPN Research. After fouling out in Game 1, Stephen Castle scored a game-high 21 factors for the Spurs.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards got here off the bench once more however wasn’t as impactful as he was in Game 1. Edwards shot 5-of-13 for 12 factors over 24 minutes. –Michael C. Wright
Game 3: Spurs at Timberwolves (Friday, 9:30 pm ET, Prime Video)
What to observe in Game 3: More Anthony Edwards. Chris Finch and the Timberwolves slow-played him in San Antonio, bringing Edwards off the bench each nights to assist handle his minutes and shield his therapeutic left knee. He powered them to a Game 1 highway win with 11 fourth-quarter factors and his knee responded effectively throughout the 48 hours between video games. Edwards would have gone longer than solely 24 minutes in Game 2, however the Wolves entered the fourth quarter down 35. This was a low-pressure recreation for them, already securing the cut up with the Game 1 win. The subsequent two will not be. The strain rises because the collection shifts to Minneapolis, and Edwards’ utilization and minute totals ought to replicate that. All expectations are that he’ll reenter the beginning lineup for both Terrence Shannon Jr.. or Mike Conley. –Anthony Slater
Eastern Conference
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: Detroit’s offense appears to be like completely totally different from the primary spherical. During the opening collection towards the Magic, Cade Cunningham needed to carry the brunt of the Pistons’ offense, and though he nonetheless led Detroit with 23 factors Thursday, he has gotten contributions from up and down the roster en path to this 2-0 lead. Tobias Harris scored 21, Duncan Robinson hit 5 3-pointers for the second straight recreation and Daniss Jenkins added 14 off the bench.
Donovan Mitchell lastly snapped out of his scoring stoop with 31 factors in Game 2; he had been held to beneath 25 factors in six straight video games coming into Thursday, which was twice so long as every other streak of his postseason profession, in accordance with ESPN Research. But whereas Jarrett Allen helped out with 22 factors and 7 rebounds, the remainder of the Cavs’ core 4 have been quiet. Evan Mobley went 4-of-9 for 9 factors, and James Harden become one other clunker, capturing 3-for-13 (0-for-4 from 3) for 10 factors with 4 turnovers and a scoreless fourth quarter. — Jamal Collier
Game 3: Pistons at Cavaliers (Saturday, 3 pm ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to observe in Game 3: The Cavaliers are 0-5 on the highway this postseason, they usually’re returning dwelling for Game 3. They received all 4 dwelling video games towards Toronto within the first spherical by a median margin of 10 factors.
The Cavaliers will want that dwelling cooking once more, with two practically must-win video games approaching in Cleveland. Harden and Mobley should play higher for the Cavaliers to have an opportunity to salvage this collection in Games 3 and 4, and extra contributions from their reserves would assist, too: In principle, the Cavaliers have a deeper bench than the Pistons, however Cleveland’s reserves have been outscored 26-17 in Game 2.
The largest query for Detroit, in the meantime, is whether or not Jalen Duren will discover a playoff rhythm. He appeared to show the nook with a fast stretch of clutch baskets on the finish of Game 1, however he regarded misplaced once more in Game 2, scoring simply eight factors on 2-for-7 capturing and struggling to corral passes inside. The Pistons are profitable with out their regular contributions for now, however they will possible want a return to kind from their All-Star massive man in some unspecified time in the future this postseason. — Zach Kram
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: The Knicks’ victory Tuesday wasn’t as fairly because the earlier 4 video games, however New York is aware of it could possibly depend on Jalen Brunson down the stretch. While the 76ers struggled to get beauty late, Brunson saved the Knicks on activity for probably the most half, hitting two important buckets after the rating was tied at 99 to present them an edge they would not relinquish.
It doesn’t suggest the closing was good; 76ers coach Nick Nurse discovered methods to get the ball out of Brunson’s palms. But the Knicks did look contemporary, with Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby staying environment friendly and surviving emerges from Paul George and Tyrese Maxey. They saved the 76ers off-balance when it counted, taking a commanding 2-0 lead heading to Philadelphia on Friday for Game 3. –Vincent Goodwill
Game 3: Knicks at 76ers (Friday, 7 pm ET, Prime Video)
What to observe in Game 3: First, damage updates. Will Joel Embiid be capable to play after sitting out Game 2? And what’s the standing of Anunoby, who left Game 2 late and did not return after showing to seize at his proper leg. Anunoby, specifically, has been super all through New York’s run to date, and Philadelphia does not have an awesome matchup for him.
Beyond that, the 76ers performed a lot better in Game 2 than the Game 1 rout loss, however appeared to expire of steam down the stretch. Can they summon the power to beat New York at dwelling in Game 3? If not, it is most likely curtains for the 76ers. And, lastly, what would be the make-up of the group? Expect loads of Knicks followers: Two years in the past, it felt like a New York dwelling recreation at instances. –Tim Bontemps