NBA playoffs 2026: Three Game 7s! What will decide each showdown
The first spherical of the 2026 NBA playoffs you’ve got offered just a little little bit of the whole lot: a sweep, upsets, thrilling finishes and historic comebacks.
And for simply the second time for the reason that spherical went to best-of-7 in 2003, it will present three Game 7s. (The 2014 playoffs’ opening spherical had 5.)
This 12 months, all of the motion is within the East, the place the New York Knicks await the winner of the Boston Celtics–Philadelphia 76ers sequence. The second spherical of the opposite facet of the East bracket stays clean, as Sunday’s Detroit Pistons–Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers–Toronto Raptors showdowns will decide the opposite convention semifinal matchup.
What drama will Game 7 present? NBA insiders Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Zach Kram and Ohm Youngmisuk look at the keys to each sequence finale and what each staff should do to advance.
Jump to Game 7:
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic
(2) Celtics vs. (7) 76ers
(4) Cavs vs. (5) Raptors
Game 7 data
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET (NBC/Peacock)
ESPN Analytics: BOS 74.5%
The 76ers win in the event that they _____.
Stick to the script. Coach Nick Nurse has discovered a components that works and is driving it. Joel Embiid is both kicking out of double-teams or attacking when guarded one-on-one. Boston does not have a solution to decelerate Tyrese Maxeyand the electrifying guard is aware of it. And Paul Georgepossibly for the primary time as a 76er, it seems just like the max contract participant the staff signed virtually two years in the past.
Philadelphia has received with no need to outshoot Boston. Embiid was 6-for-18 from the ground Thursday, whereas the 76ers went 11-for-33 from 3-point vary and missed loads of open seems. If these go in, particularly early, it’s a game-changer for the 76ers’ probabilities.
But over the previous two video games — and particularly the previous six quarters — the 76ers have discovered one thing. If they will apply it yet one more time, maybe they will lastly beat Boston in a playoff sequence for the primary time since 1982. — Bontemps
The Celtics win in the event that they _____.
Hit their 3-pointers. During the previous 4 playoffs underneath Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics are 17-1 once they hit no less than 40% of their 3s and 19-19 once they do not. The Celtics’ success on this first-round sequence has additionally hinged on their 3-point accuracy.
Of course, it isn’t that easy for the Celtics, who nonetheless don’t have any reply for Embiid manipulating their protection over the previous couple of video games. They have to regulate the offensive boards and the possession sport. But, greater than something, the Celtics need to make their 3s, which has change into the inspiration of Mazzulla’s offense. And they’re going to need to do it with out star Jayson Tatumwho was dominated out late Saturday afternoon with left knee stiffness. — Bontemps
The X issue of Game 7 is _____.
Neemias Queta. Boston’s beginning heart was one of the vital improved gamers within the NBA this season and a pleasing shock for Boston after Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet departed final summer season. The Celtics had a team-best plus-13.2 web ranking with Queta on the ground within the common season.
But Queta has struggled immensely towards Philadelphia — thanks in no small half to matching up towards Embiid. Through six video games, Queta has racked up extra fouls (24) than made photographs (18). And if he cannot keep on the ground, Boston has to show to Nikola Vucevic or Luke Garzaeach of whom are overextended defensively on this sequence.
Nobody is anticipating Queta to match Embiid’s manufacturing. But in Game 7, Queta wants to remain out of foul bother and provides Boston the rebounds, strong screens and stingy inside protection he offered all season. –Kram
Game 7 data
Sunday, 3:30 pm ET (ABC)
ESPN Analytics: DET 78.9%
The Magic wins in the event that they _____.
Deliver the primary punch to Detroit with physicality on protection and within the paint. The blueprint to steal Game 7 in Detroit is there for Orlando.
They stole Game 1 with that components. Jalen Suggs began that sport flying across the court docket like a free security. Wendell Carter Jr.. was an even bigger presence within the paint than Jalen Duren. Paolo Banchero he knew when to attain and distribute when wanted.
The Magic, although, had Franz Wagner in Game 1. Wagner (proper calf pressure) shouldn’t be anticipated to play in Game 7 on Sunday. With him out, the Magic will want function gamers like Tristan da Silva, Anthony Black and Jamal Cain to step up. — Youngmisuk
The Pistons win in the event that they _____.
They are extra bodily inside.
Cade Cunningham is the very best participant on this sequence and will be capable of rating when wanted, particularly if Wagner is not on the court docket to attempt to gradual him down. But he wants assist.
That begins inside with Duren, who has to win the battles within the paint and set up the physicality that made the Pistons the very best staff within the East.
But greater than something, the Pistons need to play that very same suffocating protection that introduced them again from down 24 within the second half of Game 6, in order that they do not want one other beautiful, come-from-behind win to keep away from a disappointing first-round exit. — Youngmisuk
The X issue of Game 7 is _____.
Detroit’s 3-point taking pictures. It’s widespread data that the Pistons wrestle from distance, rating twenty eighth within the common season in 3-point makes (11.0 per sport) and seventeenth in 3-point share (35.6%).
They’ve gotten a lot worse within the playoffs, rating final in makes (8.7 per sport) and share (29.7%). Duncan Robinson you’ve got shot to his traditional commonplace, and Cade Cunningham has been common from deep, however each different Piston is in a serious long-range droop.
But no NBA staff is this dangerous on 3-pointers over a big sufficient pattern. Could Detroit lastly get going from the perimeter and make some photographs at residence in Game 7? –Kram
Game 7 data
Sunday, 7:30 pm ET (NBC/Peacock)
ESPN Analytics: CLE 60.1%
The Raptors win in the event that they _____.
Turn Game 7 right into a defensive battle. Toronto has prided itself on taking part in tougher than Cleveland for many of this sequence, creating turnovers, diving for free balls and successful with protection to shut the expertise hole. Toronto has gained quite a lot of confidence because the sequence has continued, its younger gamers have settled in and its defensive depth has elevated. The Raptors will enter a Game 7 on the street, the place all of the strain shifts to the house staff. — Collier
The Cavaliers win in the event that they _____.
Limit Toronto’s transition baskets. When Cleveland has averted turnovers and prevented Toronto from racking up factors in transition, the Raptors’ offense has stalled. The Cavs had just one turnover throughout their fourth-quarter rally in Game 6, and it was almost sufficient to clinch the sequence.
The Cavs want extra from star guards Donovan Mitchell and James Harden on offense, however the backcourt’s protection has principally held the Raptors in verify within the half court docket. If the Cavs can cease making a gift of simple baskets, they need to safe one other win at residence to advance. — Collier
The X issue of Game 7 is _____.
Harden. His playoff observe document isn’t any secret, however the numbers are beautiful nonetheless: In seven profession Game 7s, Harden has averaged simply 19.3 factors on 35% taking pictures, together with 22% on 3-pointers. He turned in a robust efficiency in his first profession Game 7 — in 2011 with Oklahoma City — however has shot 41% or worse in each one since.
Harden’s season has led to a Game 7 in three of the previous 5 seasons; in 2023 and 2025, he failed to achieve double digits in factors.
Cleveland wants a greater model of its level guard towards Toronto’s stifling protection. Notably, Harden has scored greater than 20 factors in each win towards the Raptors on this sequence, however he has been under 20 in each loss. –Kram