The second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs features eight teams, with the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons, and Sixers among the favorites after dramatic first-round exits.
The NBA postseason began with 20 teams, four of which were eliminated in the play-in tournament. Eight more teams saw their seasons end in the first round, leaving eight teams still competing, each eight wins away from the NBA Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons all won must-win Game 7s over the weekend to advance, while the Oklahoma City Thunder swept their opening series.
The Western Conference semifinals feature the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder against the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers, and the second-seeded San Antonio Spurs against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. The Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0, while the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 4-2. The Spurs advanced by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1, and the Timberwolves eliminated the Denver Nuggets 4-2.
The Thunder dominated the regular-season series against the Lakers, winning all four meetings by an average score of 125.5-96.25, with only one game decided by fewer than ten points. The largest margin was 43 points in a 139-96 home win on April 2, when both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic exited early. The closest contest was a 119-110 road victory on February 9, when both stars missed the game. The Thunder’s defense gave Doncic trouble all season, as he recorded ten turnovers and shot 33.3% from the field against Oklahoma City.
Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2 and has not practiced since, per coach JJ Redick’s report on Sunday. He will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, though his return timeline remains uncertain. The Lakers advanced past Houston without Doncic and partially recovered Austin Reaves, who returned for Games 4 and 5 after missing earlier action. Reaves posted averages of 18.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in those games, including a clutch spinning layup in the series-clinching win. L.A. hosts Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, more than five weeks after Doncic’s injury.
The Timberwolves won the regular-season series against the Spurs 2-1, with victories by 13, one, and three points. San Antonio struggled particularly without Victor Wembanyama in those games. Minnesota enters the series without Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, with DiVincenzo out for the postseason and Edwards expected to miss the first two games. Edwards averaged 36.7 points in the three regular-season meetings, which the Timberwolves won twice. The Timberwolves’ size and physicality in the frontcourt posed problems for San Antonio, especially with Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels creating mismatches.
Edwards completed two light workouts over the weekend and could return by Game 3 or 4 in Minneapolis, according to reports. The Timberwolves hope to steal one without him, as they did in the series-clinching Game 6 over the Nuggets. McDaniels delivered 32 points and elite defense on Jamal Murray in that win. Against the Spurs, McDaniels must defend De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle while taking on a bigger scoring role alongside Randle. Randle posted 22 points and 12 assists in November against San Antonio, which lacked Wembanyama at the time.
The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers split their regular-season series 2-2. Detroit overcame a 3-1 deficit against Orlando by dominating a playoff-record 23 consecutive missed shots in Game 7, sparking a late rally. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 45 points, 32 points, and 32 points in the last three wins, supported by Tobias Harris’ 30 points in Game 7 and Jalen Duren’s 15-point, 15-rebound performance. Cunningham reflected on the series: 'Credit to [the Magic], they pushed us. They really made us take a look in the mirror. I think we got a lot better from this series.'
The Cavaliers have emphasized setting the tone and dictating terms this postseason, aiming to reverse past playoff disappointments. Cleveland survived Toronto, a top-five defensive team, by outscoring them in bursts when the Raptors faltered late. Detroit presents a tougher physical test, with skilled perimeter defenders to bother Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, and interior size to disrupt Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said: 'We're going to have to be mentally and physically tough to beat this team. No. 1 seed. They've had a great year. They're the favorites. We go in there as underdogs, which is a challenge.'
The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers split their regular-season series 2-2, with Joel Embiid playing in only two of the four matchups. The Knicks’ dominant wins by 15, 29, and 51 points suggest they have elevated their play, while the Sixers enter the series with confidence after escaping a Game 7 against Boston. Philadelphia’s backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and Embiid forms a lethal pick-and-roll combination when healthy, and rookie VJ Edgecombe has shown poise. The Sixers face injury concerns around Embiid and Paul George, and a six-game series would require heavy minutes from six players in 21 days.