In a dramatic night of NBA Playoffs action, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a pivotal 3-0 series lead against the Houston Rockets after an overtime thriller. The San Antonio Spurs also managed a crucial road victory despite the absence of Victor Wembanyama, while the Boston Celtics’ star duo proved too much for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Rockets, even without Kevin Durant, squandered a significant late-game lead, ultimately falling to a stellar performance from LeBron James. Meanwhile, a rookie shined for the Spurs, leading an impressive comeback, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continued to assert their dominance in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers (E7) — Boston Celtics (E2): 100:108 — Series: 1-2
After a decisive Game 1 win, the Celtics surprisingly dropped Game 2, allowing the series to tilt in Philadelphia’s favor. «We definitely wanted to come back and respond after dropping a game at home. We just can’t afford to lose two games in a row in the playoffs,» Jaylen Brown emphatically stated, reflecting the Celtics’ mindset.
However, with Tyrese Maxey hitting a fadeaway and then a three-pointer that sent the Xfinity Mobile Arena into a frenzy, it appeared the 76ers would take a 2-1 lead. Maxey’s personal 5-0 run gave the 76ers an 85-84 advantage with 8:42 remaining.
Brown then took control of the final quarter, scoring eight consecutive points, and was even outdone by Jayson Tatum in the last twelve minutes, who dropped eleven points. With 27 seconds left, Tatum sealed the victory with a dagger three-pointer for a 106-100 lead.
Both «Jays» were the top scorers for Coach Joe Mazzulla’s team with 25 points each. Tatum also contributed 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while Brown grabbed 7 rebounds (3 offensive) and 4 assists. He also added a steal and 3 blocks but committed 6 turnovers.
The Sixers relied on their superstar as well, with Maxey recording 31 points and 6 assists. His backcourt partner, VJ Edgecombe, however, seemed to have left his hot shooting hand in Boston, missing all seven of his three-point attempts. Despite this, the rookie still managed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Six players from Nick Nurse’s eight-man rotation scored in double figures. Paul George was Maxey’s biggest support with 17 points. It remains unclear when Joel Embiid will be able to rejoin the series. The center is working hard on his comeback, participated in shootaround, and was listed as ‘questionable’ before the game. «He’s not ready yet,» Nurse made clear. Embiid underwent an appendectomy about two weeks ago.
Regardless of his return, Maxey remained optimistic that the series is not decided. «We had a chance to win this game,» the top scorer analyzed. However, the trend continues: whoever shoots the three-pointer better wins. In Game 3, it was the Celtics, who converted 20 of their 47 long-range attempts, while the 76ers only managed twelve of 35.
«We have to get a win on Sunday. We need to defend our home court and tie the series,» Maxey concluded. Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night German time at 1:00 AM.
Houston Rockets (W5) — Los Angeles Lakers (W4): 108:112 — Series: 0-3
Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable! With 43 seconds left in regulation, LeBron James made a weak pass that Alperen Sengün intercepted. The center broke away for a fast break and dunked to put the Rockets up 101-95. The decision?
Anyone familiar with the Rockets knew that no lead is safe in crunch time, and the usual disaster unfolded once again. LeBron even missed his next three-pointer, and Jaxson Hayes couldn’t secure the rebound. With only half a minute on the clock, possession, and still a six-point lead…
For inexplicable reasons, Jabari Smith Jr. threw the ball to Marcus Smart, who immediately rose for a three-pointer and was fouled by Jae’Sean Tate. Smart converted all three free throws, cutting the deficit to just three points.
The Rockets called a timeout to avoid another unnecessary turnover – only to give the ball away again. Reed Sheppard received the ball deep in his own half, with LeBron in pursuit and Smart closing in, the ball was back in the hands of «Purple and Gold.» At the end of the fast break, «The King» hit the game-tying three-pointer.
After Sengün’s final Rockets possession hit the side of the backboard, LeBron showed some mercy by missing the buzzer-beater from downtown. However, in overtime, the Rockets witnessed the Marcus Smart show, who outscored Houston himself (8 points to Houston’s 7) to give the Lakers a crucial 3-0 series lead.
«It’s a clear weakness of ours, finishing games,» Rockets coach Ime Udoka stated the obvious afterwards. «The number of mistakes and the type of mistakes are outrageous. This cannot happen.»
Udoka had to do without superstar Kevin Durant for the first home game of the series, who was sidelined with ankle problems. In his absence, Sengün put up superstar numbers (33 PTS, 15/27 FG, 16 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL), and Amen Thompson also recorded a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds, along with 3 blocks and 3 steals. Smith Jr. finished with 24 points, and Sheppard with 17 points.
For Los Angeles, despite LeBron’s 8 turnovers, he will be remembered for his 29 points and 13 rebounds. Smart also achieved a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists. Rui Hachimura contributed 22 points.
Luke Kennard, the previous «MVP» of the series, couldn’t maintain his ridiculously strong shooting, hitting only one of six attempts from downtown. The guard finished the game with 14 points. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remained out due to injury. Maxi Kleber was fit but not utilized by JJ Redick.
The Rockets once again dominated the offensive boards (18-9) and took 19 more shots than the Lakers. However, their shooting percentages (41% FG, 28% 3FG) were again worse. No team in the NBA playoffs has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit. Houston will start their 160th attempt on Monday night (3:30 AM).
Portland Trail Blazers (W7) — San Antonio Spurs (W2): 108:120 — Series: 1-2
Initially, there was hope for the Spurs that Wembanyama could recover from his concussion in time for Game 3. He participated in his team’s shootaround earlier in the day, but the «Concussion Protocol» thwarted the ambitious Frenchman’s plans, forcing him to the bench.
Instead of the DPOY, Luke Kornet started, and the Spurs’ beginning was anything but good. The Blazers led 29-27 after the first quarter and 65-59 after the second. In the third period, Portland extended their lead to 82-67 during the first home playoff game since 2021.
San Antonio stormed back, starting a 21-5 run to turn the game around before the fourth quarter. In the final twelve minutes, rookie Dylan Harper took over, scoring ten consecutive Spurs points at one point. This included a poster dunk over Robert Williams III, which «The Time Lord» will not forget anytime soon. It was the culmination of a strong performance by Harper, who, in addition to an efficient 27 points (9/12 FG, 4/5 3FG), also grabbed 10 rebounds.
The leading scorer for Mitch Johnson’s squad, however, was Stephon Castle with 33 points. De’Aaron Fox (18 PTS) ranked third among the guards. Kornet did a decent job as Wemby’s replacement, recording a double-double with 14 points (6/9 FG, 1/1 3FG) and 10 rebounds (5 offensive). Keldon Johnson, the newly crowned Sixth Man of the Year, had a weak night (5 points, 1/7 FG).
For the Blazers, Deni Avdija disappointed, scoring almost exclusively from the free-throw line (19 points, 3/15 FG, 12/16 FT). Scoot Henderson, on the other hand, made a good impression again with 21 points (5/10 3FG), and Jrue Holiday led his team with 29 points. In the end, the Spurs shot too well from downtown, securing the victory with nearly 50 percent (16/33 3FG) from beyond the arc.
On Sunday at 9:30 PM German time, the Blazers will have a chance to tie the series again. However, Wemby might also return to the court then.
NBA Playoffs 2026: Matchups and First Round Standings
| Conference | Matchup | Stand |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Thunder (1) — Suns (8) | 2-0 |
| Western | Lakers (4) — Rockets (5) | 3-0 |
| Western | Nuggets (3) — Timberwolves (6) | 1-2 |
| Western | Spurs (2) — Trail Blazers (7) | 2-1 |
| Eastern | Pistons (1) — Magic (8) | 1-1 |
| Eastern | Cavaliers (4) — Raptors (5) | 2-1 |
| Eastern | Knicks (3) — Hawks (6) | 1-1 |
| Eastern | Celtics (2) — Sixers (7) | 2-1 |