The 2026 NBA playoffs are up and operating, and the opening weekend delivered on each entrance.
Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder cruised to victory, Victor Wembanyama introduced himself on the most important stage, and an eight-seed shocked the East’s high seed.
Thunder ship one other opening-night assertion
Oklahoma Metropolis dismantled the Phoenix Suns 119-84 on the Paycom Middle on Sunday.
The Thunder transformed 19 turnovers into 34 factors. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 25 factors and 7 assists, notching postseason profession highs in free throws made and tried, regardless of capturing simply 5-of-18 from the ground and sitting out the fourth quarter solely.
It was eerily acquainted. Final postseason, the Thunder blew out the Memphis Grizzlies by 51 factors in Sport 1 of a collection they swept on the best way to the title.
This time they gained by 35. The Thunder joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1986 and 1987 as the one franchises in NBA historical past to open consecutive postseasons with wins by at the least 35 factors.
Their factors off turnovers benefit of 34-2 was the most important in that class in a playoff recreation throughout the play-by-play period.
Gilgeous-Alexander was measured in his post-game media duties, making clear the job is much from achieved.
“This [Phoenix] crew goes to get higher all through the collection. They’ve good gamers, effectively coached, play actually exhausting, play the appropriate method. So we’ve obtained to be able to get higher as effectively and anticipate a greater crew on the opposite finish.”
Suns star Devin Booker acknowledged the injury his facet did to themselves. “Each time down, [we can’t] flip it over. I believe that fuels all the things – fuels them, fuels the gang. Turns right into a domino impact.”
Phoenix had barely had time to breathe. The Suns solely secured their playoff berth by beating the Golden State Warriors in a play-in recreation on Friday night time earlier than travelling to face the league’s high seed on Sunday afternoon.
Wembanyama shatters franchise report in postseason debut
San Antonio Spurs ran out 111-98 winners over the Portland Path Blazers in Sport 1. It was Victor Wembanyama’s first playoff recreation, and he didn’t disappoint.
The 22-year-old Frenchman scored 35 factors on 13-of-21 capturing, connecting on 5-of-6 from three, to go together with 5 rebounds and two blocks throughout 33 minutes.
It was the highest-scoring postseason debut in Spurs historical past, surpassing the earlier mark of 32 set by Corridor of Famer Tim Duncan.
He additionally grew to become the primary participant in NBA historical past to attain 35 or extra in a postseason debut whereas hitting at the least 5 three-pointers.
Portland threw all the things at him. Eight completely different defenders. Double-teams. And Wembanyama scored on all of them. On the opposite finish, he held Portland scoreless on all 11 makes an attempt when he was the contesting defender.
“The primary time I stepped on the courtroom, even for warmups, I felt the ambiance was completely different,” Wembanyama stated. “Everyone was prepared. The followers had been prepared. It’s in all probability probably the most pleasure I’ve seen this 12 months on this enviornment.”
He closed the sport with 14 factors within the fourth quarter as Spurs legends Tim Duncan and David Robinson watched courtside.
“I heard the gang after they went on the digicam,” Wembanyama stated. “Seeing these two courtside and the popularity they get from the followers was wonderful. It’s so cool.”
Portland’s Deni Avdija was not with out his personal landmark night time, ending with 30 factors to turn out to be the primary Path Blazer in historical past to publish 30 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a playoff recreation. It simply was not sufficient.
Magic stun Pistons on the highway
The largest shock of the opening weekend got here in Detroit, the place the Orlando Magic walked into Little Caesars Area and beat the Jap Convention’s high seed 112-101.
All 5 Orlando starters reached double figures, with Paolo Banchero main the best way with 23 factors and 9 rebounds. The win prolonged Detroit’s postseason shedding streak at residence to 11 video games, the longest in NBA historical past.
It was Jalen Suggs who set the tone, stealing a go from Tobias Harris within the opening minutes and changing a thunderous two-handed dunk. Orlando led 18-5 earlier than Detroit had discovered their footing.
Banchero had proven comparable type within the play-in win over Charlotte, and carried that confidence into Detroit. “I believe everyone is aware of we obtained a very gifted crew,” stated Franz Wagner, who completed with 19 factors. “Clearly we didn’t have the common season that we needed, however that’s our aim. And I believe we present right this moment that we belong right here.”
Cade Cunningham completed with 39 factors for Detroit however was held to 4 assists and three turnovers. No different Pistons participant reached double figures.
“They got here out they usually hit us first,” Detroit’s Ausar Thompson stated. “So, now we have to do a greater job of popping out and hitting them first.”
Celtics ship a message to the East
Boston’s demolition of the Philadelphia 76ers was as complete as any Sport 1 in latest reminiscence. The Celtics cruised to a 123-91 win, main wire-to-wire and at one level stretching the margin to 35 factors. It was the most important margin of victory in franchise historical past to open a playoff collection. NBA
Jayson Tatum, persevering with his spectacular return from a torn Achilles, posted 25 factors on 9-of-17 capturing with 11 rebounds and 7 assists in 32 minutes. Jaylen Brown chipped in 26.
Philadelphia shot 4-of-23 from three and allowed Boston to construct a 22-3 edge in factors off turnovers. With Joel Embiid nonetheless absent after emergency appendectomy surgical procedure on April 9, the margin for error for the Sixers was all the time going to be slim.
“Our offense can’t win us this collection,” Brown stated. “We obtained to ensure we guard. And I believe tonight we did a fantastic job.”
Tatum mirrored on what it means to be again below the playoff lights after his harm ordeal. “There have been many days the place I wasn’t even positive I used to be going to play this season, not to mention get an opportunity to play right this moment, so I’m overly simply form of grateful that I’m on this place proper now.”
