The 2026 playoffs are underway, and our NBA insiders have you ever coated for each recreation within the march to the Finals. Which prime seeds are cruising and which may very well be in peril of a first-round upset? Which stars are shining and which gamers are breaking via on the playoff stage?
As the Western Conference playoffs proceed, this is what issues most and what to look at in all 4 sequence.
More protection:
East takeaways | Schedules and results | Offseason guides
Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: The sequence felt prefer it modified after the primary possession of Tuesday’s Game 2, when Kevin Durant – out for the sequence opener with a sore proper knee – blocked Lakers Game 1 hero Luke Kennard‘s shot try. Yet as a lot of an impression as Durant had — 23 factors on 6-for-9 capturing and 6 rebounds — L.A. adopted just about the identical method to go up 2-0.
LeBron James, who completed with 28 factors, eight rebounds, seven assists, was the most effective participant on the court docket for both workforce; Kennard (23 factors) made up for a number of the offensive energy lacking with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in avenue garments and L.A.’s protection held Houston underneath 100 factors on simply 40.4% capturing. Just to make issues eerily much like Game 1, the Lakers as soon as once more had a late second-quarter collapse fueled by turnovers to let the Rockets again within the recreation with a 12-0 run shortly earlier than halftime. And, as soon as once more, Marcus Smart (25 factors) hit a well timed fourth-quarter 3-pointer, placing L.A. up by eight with 2:23 to go. — Dave McMenamin
Game 3: Lakers at Rockets (8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime)
What to look at in Game 3: After ending the common season 7-1 at dwelling and going 30-11 on the Toyota Center for the 12 months, can the Rockets shield dwelling court docket? Incidentally, earlier than they went on that dwelling surge, their two video games earlier than that have been back-to-back losses to the Lakers on March 16 and 18. And with three days of relaxation in between Games 2 and three, will Durant — who coughed up 9 turnovers Tuesday — have that knee improved and look much more like himself? — McMenamin
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 workforce introduced he had entered concussion protocol and would miss the rest of the competition.
Wembanyama’s availability is now in query with the sequence shifting on Friday to Portland for Games 3 and 4 after a time 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 successful. 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
Game 3: Spurs at Trail Blazers (Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET, Prime)
What to look at in Game 3: The Wembanyama damage adjustments the dynamic, particularly for San Antonio’s total workforce protection, and gives a sliver of hope for a scrappy Portland squad that has hung powerful regardless of being outmanned when it comes to 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 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 facet when bringing again gamers from damage, anyway. So, there is a good probability Portland will face a considerably undermanned Spurs squad at dwelling 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 towards Nikola Jokic. Gobert — early within the recreation and through a number of key possessions down the stretch — made life tough 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. Those three mixed for 70 factors, sending the sequence 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 sequence?
He missed 11 of the final 14 regular-season video games for a persistent proper knee challenge that clearly continues to trouble him. He grimaced and grabbed it at the least twice within the first half. But it appeared to loosen and Edwards by no means wanted to handle his court docket 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 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 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 evening.
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 most important halftime lead of any playoff recreation this weekend, nevertheless it’s acquainted territory for Oklahoma City, which led by at the least 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 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 must discover a answer to decelerate Jalen Williams, Gilgeous-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 Goodwin, who took the defensive task on Gilgeous-Alexander to begin the sport, acquired into early foul hassle. That pressured the Suns to change Dillon Brooks onto Gilgeous-Alexander and use lesser defenders on Williams, whose penetration into the paint created all types of issues.
The recreation acquired out of attain throughout Gilgeous-Alexander’s seven-minute relaxation to begin the second quarter, a span by which Williams had 4 factors and 4 assists. — MacMahon
