All articles tagged with #2026 nba playoffs
Spurs and Thunder collide in a climactic West Finals Game 7 (8 PM ET on NBC/Peacock) with a Finals berth on the line. San Antonio leads the season series 7-4, while Oklahoma City is 4-0 at home in Game 7s this era, making this a high-stakes showdown centered on Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the two teams chase a trip to the NBA Finals against the Knicks.
Live updates for Game 5 of the 2026 West Finals feature Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs hosting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. With a 2-2 series, home teams have historically had the edge, and Oklahoma City will be without Ajay Mitchell and Thomas Sorber while Jalen Williams is listed as questionable. The game hinges on lineups, matchups and Wembanyama’s efficiency as San Antonio seeks a 3-2 series lead.
The New York Knicks dominated the Cavs in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 126-86, sweeping the series to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, riding a historic 10-game playoff win streak and a balanced attack led by Brunson and Bridges.
Victor Wembanyama poured in 33 points as the Spurs overwhelmed the Thunder 103-82 to knot the Western Conference Finals at 2-2 and set up a pivotal Game 5 in San Antonio. San Antonio’s defense held OKC to 33% shooting and 6-for-33 from three, while injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell depleted Oklahoma City’s depth. De’Aaron Fox returned from a sprained ankle to provide stability in the backcourt with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, helping the Spurs’ 25 assists on 35 made baskets. The series now heads back to Texas with a likely emphasis on Game 5’s outcome and its strong influence on the series’ direction.)
Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from an early 15-0 deficit to crush the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 in Game 3, grabbing a 2-1 edge in the West Finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 26 points and 12 assists, while the bench poured in 76 points (Jared McCain 24, Jaylin Williams 18, Cason Wallace 11, Alex Caruso 15). Victor Wembanyama topped San Antonio with 26 points and Devin Vassell added 20, and Spurs guests De’Aaron Fox (15) returned to play. Jalen Williams was out for OKC. The night underscored OKC’s historic bench production as the series moved back to San Antonio.
NBA.com's live blog covers Game 1 of the East Finals from Madison Square Garden, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 22 points and six steals as Cleveland takes a 63-54 lead late in the third, while New York’s defense pressures Cavs and the Knicks struggle from three; Tuesday’s injury notes list OG Anunoby probable for NYK and Larry Nance Jr. questionable for CLE.
Victor Wembanyama exploded for 41 points and 24 rebounds as the Spurs survived a double-overtime clash to beat the Thunder 122-115 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Dylan Harper made an unexpected impact in Fox’s absence with 24 points in the Spurs’ youngest conference finals starting lineup, while OKC’s Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander recovered to finish strong and Alex Caruso dropped 31 for the Thunder. San Antonio seized a 1-0 series lead heading to Game 2 in Oklahoma City.
San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox was ruled out of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City with right ankle soreness, forcing rookie Dylan Harper into the starting lineup. Fox had been averaging 18.8 points and 5.8 assists this postseason, while OKC welcomed back Jalen Williams from a hamstring injury.
NBA.com staff debate the 2026 West Finals between the Spurs and Thunder, with most predicting Oklahoma City to prevail given their experience and depth, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the likely series MVP; a few notes suggest Chet Holmgren could win MVP if he limits Victor Wembanyama, while the Spurs’ young core could push the series to seven games.
Donovan Mitchell spearheads Cleveland with 26 points and 8 assists (zero turnovers), Jarrett Allen dominates the paint with 23 points and 7 rebounds, and Sam Merrill adds 23 points with five 3-pointers as the Cavaliers blow out Detroit by 31 in Game 7 to reach the East Finals, while the Pistons’ season ends and their young core gains playoff experience.
Two crucial Friday games on Prime Video featured Detroit beating Cleveland 115-94 to even the series at 3-3 and force a Game 7 in Detroit, while Minnesota and San Antonio battled in Game 6 with the Spurs taking an early lead, setting up two decisive finales on Sunday.
OKC closed out the Lakers 115-110 in Game 4 to complete the West semifinal sweep, led by Ajay Mitchell’s playoff career‑high 28 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35, with Holmgren delivering a late dunk to seal the win as the Thunder advance to the Western Conference Finals. Los Angeles fought back with a stronger fourth quarter and big contributions from LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, but 19 Lakers turnovers produced 22 points for OKC and left questions looming about the Lakers’ offseason and LeBron’s future.
OKC’s depth, defense and efficient scoring fueled a 131-108 Game 3 win over the Lakers, giving the Thunder a 3-0 series lead as Holmgren headlines the effort and L.A. struggles with turnovers.
Victor Wembanyama erupted for 39 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks to spark San Antonio's 115-108 win over Minnesota and push the Spurs to a 2-1 series lead, while Jalen Brunson scored 33 as the Knicks dominated Philadelphia 108-94 to take a 3-0 series edge in Friday's NBA Playoffs action.
Knicks have controlled the series with elite paint play and an aggressive blitz on Tyrese Maxey; Game 3 hinges on Joel Embiid’s availability and OG Anunoby’s hamstring, with Mitchell Robinson likely returning to fortify NY, while Philadelphia must improve interior scoring and defense of the paint to avoid trailing 0-3.