The opening round of the 2025-26 NBA playoffs produced injuries, comebacks and last-second heroics, leaving eight teams to chase the championship when the conference semifinals begin Monday night at Madison Square Garden at 8 p.m. ET.
1. Depth keeps dreams alive
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers advanced despite losing their top scorers. Minnesota survived Anthony Edwards’ hyperextended left knee and Donte DiVincenzo’s torn right Achilles thanks to Ayo Dosunmu’s 43-point outburst in Game 4 and Terrence Shannon Jr.’s 24 points in a spot start that clinched Game 6 against Denver. In Los Angeles, Luke Kennard erupted for 50 points over two wins while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves nursed injuries, giving the Lakers enough cushion to finish off Houston once Reaves returned. Rookie Dylan Harper offered a similar boost for San Antonio, scoring 27 off the bench during a comeback in Portland while Victor Wembanyama sat with a concussion.
The rash of injuries underscores the value of Oklahoma City’s league-best bench. Even after Jalen Williams strained his left hamstring, the Thunder rolled past Phoenix behind reserves Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe.
2. Spurs can’t miss from deep
San Antonio led all first-round clubs by hitting 41.8% of its three-pointers. Every Spur with at least 10 attempts shot above the league average except leading regular-season marksman Devin Vassell. Since Feb. 4, the Spurs have posted the NBA’s third-best long-range percentage at 37.9%, fueled by Stephon Castle and Harper.
3. Knicks’ defense fuels their run
New York finished seventh in regular-season defensive rating and tightened further against Atlanta, ranking third among playoff teams at 103.8 points allowed per 100 possessions. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart limited Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to 33.2 points per game on 41% shooting—down from 43.3 points on 47% in the regular season. That perimeter performance will be tested by Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid in Round 2.
4. Denver’s offense is the new concern
Defense has long been Denver’s talking point, yet its offense has stumbled in three straight playoff exits. Against Minnesota, Nikola Jokic shot 45% overall and 19% from three, while Jamal Murray hit 36% and 26%, respectively. The supporting cast offered little consistency, signaling that the Nuggets need help on both ends this offseason.
5. Scoring dip sweeps the league
Teams averaged 115.6 points per game in the regular season but only 106.6 in the postseason—a record 9.0-point fall. Orlando’s 19-point second half in Game 6, Houston’s 78-point elimination effort and Boston’s 0-for-9 finish in Game 7 highlighted the trend. Elite defenses in Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Minnesota, New York and Detroit continue to prove that stops still win in today’s pace-and-space era.
6. Thunder thrive in the half court
Oklahoma City posted 112.2 points per 100 half-court possessions, far ahead of second-place New York’s 101.4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powered the surge with a first-round-best 33.8 points per game, converting 61% of his 2-pointers. By comparison, the other 26 players who tried at least 10 twos per game hit 50%.
7. Towns deserves more touches
The Knicks flipped a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 victory by placing Karl-Anthony Towns at the center of the offense. His on-ball usage in Games 4-6 ranked third, fourth and sixth among his 170 games with New York. Towns logged two triple-doubles and averaged eight assists over the final three contests, relieving pressure on Jalen Brunson. Philadelphia’s bigger frontline may alter the exact strategy, but New York plans to keep Towns involved.
8. Magic face offseason crossroads
Orlando squandered a 3-1 lead over Detroit, then collapsed after Franz Wagner’s injury. The franchise, already projected over the first luxury-tax apron, has failed to win a series with the Paolo Banchero-Wagner core. Coach Jamahl Mosley’s future, Anthony Black’s extension and the fit between Banchero and Wagner headline a critical summer.
9. Pistons and Cavaliers advance, but questions linger
Detroit needed a Wagner-less Orlando and a late Magic cold spell to erase a 3-1 hole. The Pistons ranked last in threes made (9.7 per game) and saw Jalen Duren struggle offensively. Cleveland overcame Toronto in seven, winning every home game despite muted numbers from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, who combined for 43.7 points on 44% shooting—both below their regular-season marks. Round 2 will pit the two Central Division rivals, guaranteeing one a conference-final berth.
10. Thunder–Spurs showdown looms
Oklahoma City swept Phoenix while San Antonio dispatched Portland in five, the only two series to end within five games. The clubs ranked first and second in wins and net rating during the season, and, barring more surprises, appear on course for a Western Conference final that could decide the league’s next champion.
The conference semifinals tip off Monday as the New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers, with other series following throughout the week.
Source: ESPN
