The 2026 NBA Playoffs are underway as 16 teams advanced to the post-season and will fight it out for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. The playoffs ofically kicked off on April 14, and after the play-in tournament, we got our matchups for the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

This year’s playoff looks quite exciting and perhaps a changing of guards of stars of the 2010s no longer in the limelight. A new guard of players who have recently made some noise like the dominant Thunder team, the resurgence of the San Antonio Spurs, and the hungry, young Eastern Conference contenders. A new generation of playoff basketball is currently being formed right now and viewers are unable to take their eyes off of new teams creating legacies, proved by the NBA garnering the best viewership for the playoffs in 33 years.

The defending champs in the Oklahoma City Thunder against the eight seed, Phoenix Suns. The Thunder have been dominant throughout the ’25-’26 season and are poised to repeat for the championships. Sweeping the series 4-0 was their first step back to the throne.

Victor Wembyama was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and leads the San Antonio Spurs to play against the Portland Trailblazers. As of right now, the Spurs move on to the next round with a 4-1, even with Wembyama’s concussion leading him to miss Game 3.

Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves have a heavy task matching up against the 2023 NBA Champs and multiple time league MVP, Nikola Jokic. However, the Timberwolves have a 3-2 advantage over the Nuggets. The Nuggets hold on to their tournament life and answer back in Game 5 to play for another game.

Finally, wrapping up the Western Conference, NBA superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant face each other again as the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets. After a substantial three game lead, the Lakers could not close out the series in Game 5 and the game series score 3-2 in the Lakers favor.

For the Eastern Conference, the first seed, Detroit Pistons battle it out with the Orlando Magic. The team with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons with the return of their star player, Cade Cunningham take on Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic. Detroit is hanging on in the playoffs and answered back in Game 5. However, Orlando still has a 3-2 lead in this matchup, surprising the Pistons, who were dominant in the regular season.

Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics clash in the first round of the playoffs. NBA stars like Tyrese Maxey and Paul George on the 76ers challenge previous NBA champions, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who remained on the Celtics. Boston has the lead over Philadelphia with a 3-2 game record. But Joel Embiid’s return to the 76ers was felt in Game 5 as they prevented the Celtics from taking the series.

For the third and sixth seed matchup, the New York Knicks take on the Atlanta Hawks. Jalen Brunson and company have a tall order to contend against the new look of the Hawks. The Hawks retooled their team with trades for CJ McCollum and Gabe Vincent this year. Currently, the series score is 3-2 in the Knick’s favor with both teams fiercely fighting to advance in the bracket.

Another series that is ongoing is the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors. The Cavaliers took a 2-0 lead with the help of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, but the series evened out the series with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett leading the charge in points. However, Cleveland in Game 5 took control of the series again with the series being 3-2 in their favor.

Up ahead in the playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder are waiting for their opponent in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Lakers are most likely to face them, if they close out the series against the Rockets. Also, on the other side of the Western Conference bracket, the San Antonio Spurs await for the conclusion of the Nuggets and Timberwolves series with Minnesota currently having a 3-2 lead.

While in the Eastern Conference, a team has not advanced from the first round. Pistons and Magic play this Friday, May 1. This is a prime opportunity for the Magic to move on in the playoffs if they win. The Celtics also have a chance to close out the series against the 76ers in Game 6 on Thursday, April 30.

A similar story for another Eastern Conference series with the Knicks and the Hawks. The Knicks could win out in Game 6 and they would advance. Currently, the Cleveland Cavaliers have the lead against the Toronto Raptors and the pivotal match is on Friday, May 1.