NBA Conference Semifinals action is officially here, and the 2026 playoffs have already delivered one of the most dramatic first rounds in recent memory. Having played seven-game thrillers, unexpected surprises and last-minute heroics, four elite teams have emerged from each of the conferences to fight it out to obtain a place in the Conference Finals. Some of the most intriguing basketball of the whole season is therefore set. With defending contenders, emerging superstars, and deep supporting casts all on the line, every matchup promises to be a battle. Here is a complete breakdown of every series, including game previews and the key players you cannot afford to take your eyes off.
Eastern Conference Semifinals: Who Made It Through?
The Eastern Conference produced two gripping series to determine its NBA Conference Semifinals participants. The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off the biggest upset of the first round, stunning the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in a thrilling seven-game series that ended with a 109-100 Sixers victory at TD Garden. Philadelphia, despite entering as a No. 7 seed, showed remarkable resilience and firepower throughout. Meanwhile, the first-ranked Detroit Pistons, with the first seed in the East, sent the plucky Orlando Magic home in seven games, with their greater depth ultimately coming to bear in a hard-fought 116-94 clincher. The Cleveland Cavaliers also advanced after eliminating the Toronto Raptors in seven tense games, setting up two blockbuster second-round matchups.
Game Preview: New York Knicks (3) vs Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Here is the game that all people in the East are discussing. The New York Knicks, fresh off a dominant 4-2 series win over the Atlanta Hawks – including a stunning 140-89 blowout in the clincher – enter this NBA Conference Semifinals series as heavy favorites with a 70.9% win probability. The Sixers, though, are riding a gigantic wave of momentum, having dethroned the Celtics. Game 1 will start May 5 at Madison Square Garden, followed by Game 2 on May 7.
Key players to Watch: In the case of the Knicks, Jalen Brunson will be the offensive driving force, charged with taking advantage of the defensive rotations of the Philadelphia structure in the pick-and-roll. The perimeter defense of OG Anunoby will play a key role in curbing shooters in Philadelphia. In the case of the Sixers, all the focus will be on their leading scorer who brought them to the next level by passing Boston and later on, with his ability to create his own shot in high-leverage situations, maybe able to single-handedly swing the series. Philadelphia will also require good input on the bench to counter the depth advantage of the Knicks.
Game Preview: Detroit Pistons (1) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
The marquee match of the Eastern NBA Conference Semifinals pits the Eastern top seed against an older Cleveland Cavaliers team that took Toronto to the finals. The win probability of Detroit in this series is 57.6% and that is just how evenly matched these two teams are. Game 1 will be played on May 5 at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, with the series moving to Cleveland on May 9 to play Game 3.
Key Players to Watch: Detroit’s frontcourt dominance will be central to their game plan. Their interior presence must control the glass and limit Cleveland’s second-chance opportunities. For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell is the player who can flip a series single-handedly – his explosiveness off the dribble and ability to get to the free-throw line make him Detroit’s primary defensive concern. Evan Mobley’s two-way contributions will also be pivotal in neutralizing Detroit’s offensive stars.
Western Conference Semifinals: Who Punched Their Ticket?
The Western Conference produced equally compelling storylines in the first round. The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in four convincing games, announcing themselves as the clear frontrunners in the West. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets in six games despite a competitive series that went down to the wire on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves upset the Denver Nuggets in six games, ending Nikola Jokic’s title defense and sending Minnesota to the NBA Conference Semifinals for a second consecutive year. San Antonio completed their series with a 4-1 win over Portland, with the Spurs looking increasingly dangerous heading into the second round.
Game Preview: Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs Los Angeles Lakers (4)
This is the glamour matchup of the Western NBA Conference Semifinals, and the odds tell a compelling story. Oklahoma City enters as massive 90.9% favorites – a figure that reflects just how dominant they have been all season and throughout the first round. The Lakers scraped past Houston in six games and will now face their stiffest test yet. Game 1 is scheduled for May 6 at Paycom Center, with Game 2 on May 8 before the series heads to Los Angeles.
Key Players to Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine of the Thunder offense and the frontrunner for league MVP honors. His ability to get to the line at will and create for others makes him nearly impossible to guard one-on-one. OKC’s supporting cast – particularly their wing defenders – will look to make life difficult for LeBron James and Anthony Davis. For the Lakers, Davis must be dominant in the paint to have any chance of keeping pace. LeBron’s playmaking and shot creation in the fourth quarter will be essential if the Lakers hope to pull off an upset and extend this NBA Conference Semifinals clash.
Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs (2) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
The second Western NBA Conference Semifinals matchup is a fascinating chess match. San Antonio, the No. 2 seed, is listed as an 86.5% favorite – a remarkably wide margin against a Timberwolves team that just upset the reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and Denver. Minnesota enters battle-tested and hungry, while San Antonio has had a smoother path. Game 1 tips off May 5 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, with Game 3 heading to Minneapolis on May 9.
Key Players to Watch: Victor Wembanyama is the center of attention for San Antonio. His unmatched size, shot blocking, and three-point shooting give rise to matchup problems that no team has completely resolved. The difference between close games was possibly only in his rim protection. In the case of Minnesota, the X-factor is Anthony Edwards, who has the ability to score in isolation and demonstrates athleticism that provides Minnesota with the best opportunity to achieve an upset. The defensive presence of Rudy Gobert in the paint will be put to the test mightily by Wembanyama, making the battle fought by these two individuals inside the paint one of the most intriguing individual matchups of this entire NBA Conference Semifinals.
FAQs About NBA Conference Semifinals
Q: When do the NBA Conference Semifinals begin?
A: Action tips off May 5, with all four series getting underway between May 5–6. Games are scheduled over the following two weeks, with later rounds potentially extending into June.
Q: Which team is the biggest favorite?
A: Oklahoma City Thunder has the highest number of favorites at 90.9, San Antonio comes in at 86.5. The Knicks become 70.9% favorites over Philadelphia in the East.
Q: Who are the top players to watch in NBA Conference Semifinals?
A: Monitor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio), LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota), Jalen Brunson (New York) and Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland).
Q: Can the 76ers make a deep run as a No. 7 seed in NBA Conference Semifinals?
A: It’s a tough ask, but they’ve already stunned the No. 2 Celtics. Momentum is real, though the Knicks’ home-court advantage and 70.9% win probability make another upset a tall order.
Q: How many games are in each NBA Conference Semifinals series?
A: Each series is best-of-seven, meaning a team must win four games to advance to the Conference Finals.
Q: Which series is the most competitive on paper?
A: Detroit vs Cleveland is the closest matchup, with the Pistons holding just a 57.6% win probability – making it essentially a coin flip and the most unpredictable series of the entire second round.
Get the Latest Updates at inkrisp.com. Also, follow our social media for updates on X and Instagram.