After a dramatic weekend that saw devastating injuries, historic performances, and multiple teams pushing to the brink of elimination, the 2026 NBA Playoffs enter a pivotal week. Five teams are one win away from advancing to the second round, while two series remain tied at 2-2. Here's what to watch as Game 5s dominate the schedule.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic

Series: Magic lead 2-1
Next Game: Game 4, Monday, April 27, 8:00 PM ET (Tonight!)

The stars are aligned for Orlando to officially turn around a tough season by pushing the No. 1 seed Pistons to the brink. After stunning Detroit in Game 1, the Magic have continued to prove this is no fluke. The Pistons need to find answers quickly or face an early exit that would rank among the biggest first-round upsets in recent memory.

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

Series: Celtics lead 3-1
Next Game: Game 5, Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 PM ET

Joel Embiid returned for Game 4 after missing the first three games with appendicitis, scoring 26 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 34 minutes. But it wasn't enough—the Celtics cruised to a 128-96 victory on Sunday night, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. Payton Pritchard had a playoff career-high 32 points off the bench, while Jayson Tatum tallied 30 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. Boston can close out the series Tuesday at home and advance to the second round.

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks

Series: Tied 2-2
Next Game: Game 5, Tuesday, April 28, 8:00 PM ET

This series has been a battle. Trade acquisitions Jonathan Kuminga and CJ McCollum sparked the Hawks to a go-ahead Game 3 victory over the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns came up big and OG Anunoby was masterful in the Knicks' series-leveling victory in Atlanta to tie it at 2-2. With the series deadlocked, Game 5 back in New York becomes absolutely critical. Historically, the home team for Game 5 in a 2-2 series has won 73.1% of the time. The winner will have all the momentum heading back to Atlanta for Game 6.

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

Series: Tied 2-2
Next Game: Game 5, Wednesday, April 29, TBD

Toronto is starting to find its footing, which puts Cleveland in a challenging spot. The Raptors ripped off an insane 47-23 second-half run in Game 3, clawing back a game in their first-round series against the Cavaliers. Then in Game 4 on Sunday, Toronto won an ugly 93-89 grinder by holding Cleveland to 37 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range. The Raptors took care of both of their home games and have completely evened up this series. Momentum will be on the line when they meet in Game 5 in Cleveland.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Phoenix Suns

Series: Thunder lead 3-0
Next Game: Game 4, Monday, April 27, 9:30 PM ET (Tonight!)

The defending champions are on the verge of a sweep. The Thunder have the No. 1 offense and No. 1 defense in the playoffs, and the Suns have a tall order to stay alive in the series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's mid-range madness reached new heights in Game 3, and the league's top bench has delivered consistently. Phoenix faces elimination tonight—they need to beat both the Thunder and the refs to delay their trips to Cancun.

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers

Series: Spurs lead 3-1
Next Game: Game 5, Tuesday, April 28, 9:30 PM ET

Victor Wembanyama cleared the NBA's concussion protocol and returned to action in Game 4 in Portland, and the Spurs used a huge second half to take a 3-1 series lead. The energy inside Moda Center was night and day from the first half to the second—Portland led by 17 at the break, but San Antonio outscored them 73-35 in the second half, marking the largest playoff win by a team that trailed by 15 or more points. De'Aaron Fox scored 28 points while Wemby added 27, seven blocks and four steals. San Antonio can close out the series Tuesday.

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Series: Timberwolves lead 3-1
Next Game: Game 5, Monday, April 27, 10:30 PM ET (Tonight!)

This series has been overshadowed by devastating injuries. Donte DiVincenzo's season is over with an Achilles tendon injury, and Anthony Edwards will miss multiple weeks with a bone bruise and hyperextension of his left knee. DiVincenzo was lost just 1:19 into Game 4, and Edwards landed awkwardly on his left leg late in the first half. Despite losing both starting guards before halftime, the Timberwolves—behind 43 points from Ayo Dosunmu—beat the Nuggets 110-96 for a 3-1 lead. Dosunmu became only the fourth player in NBA history to score 40+ points off the bench in a playoff game. Minnesota now faces the challenge of trying to close out the series without their two best guards. Can they finish the job tonight in Denver, or will the Nuggets force a Game 6?

(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Series: Lakers lead 3-1
Next Game: Game 5, Wednesday, April 29, TBD

The Rockets stayed alive on Sunday night with their best start-to-finish performance, beating L.A. 115-96 without Kevin Durant to avoid a sweep. Houston's sharper focus and fewer mistakes finally showed up when they needed it most. The Lakers remain without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves indefinitely, but took a commanding 3-1 series lead. Coach Ime Udoka says Durant is getting treatment "around the clock" as Houston enters a must-win situation. Can the Rockets force a Game 6, or will the depleted Lakers close it out?

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