2026 NBA Playoffs

Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, R1 | Celtics-76ers, Lakers-Rockets battle in pivotal Game 3s

Welcome to the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs! Celtics-76ers and Lakers-Rockets are live now on Prime Video.

Victor Wembanyama (concussion) is questionable to suit up for the Spurs’ Game 3 tilt in Portland on Prime Video. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Friday’s action.

An action-packed triple-header is underway on Prime Video, featuring Celtics-76ers (Live), Lakers-Rockets (Live), and Spurs-Blazers (10:30 p.m. ET)!

What we know about Friday’s Game 3s:

  • Celtics-76ers shifts to Philadelphia with both teams seeking to take a 2-1 series lead (7:00 p.m. ET, Prime). Boston and Philly traded double-digit victories in Games 1 and 2, respectively, with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combining for 59 points in their dominant 111-97 win on Tuesday.
  • The Lakers look to become the first team in the 2026 NBA Playoffs to secure a 3-0 series lead when they visit the Rockets (8:00 p.m. ET, Prime). LA has held Houston to below 100 points in each of the first two games, and they’ll have to figure out a gameplan without Kevin Durant (ankle) again, who will miss Game 3 after sitting out Game 1’s loss.
  • A crucial Game 3 in Portland awaits as De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and the Spurs take on Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija and the Trail Blazers with the series tied at one game apiece (10:30 p.m. ET, Prime). All eyes will be focused on Victor Wembanyama’s status before tip, who remains questionable to play as he progresses through the league’s concussion protocol.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 8:25 ET

Lakers-Rockets battling early

Rui Hachimura (11 pts on 4-4 FG, 2 3PM) and LeBron James (5 pts, 2 ast) are clicking in the first quarter, as the Lakers and Rockets are tied at 21 with 4:36 to go in the frame.

Jabari Smith Jr. (6 pts, 2 3PM, 2 reb) and Alperen Sengun (5 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast) lead the way for Houston as they hope to avoid a 3-0 series deficit.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 8:20 ET

Celtics lead 54-47 at halftime

Jaylen Brown (11 pts, 5 reb, 1 blk), Jayson Tatum (8 pts, 5 ast, 1 stl) and Nikola Vučević (8 pts, 2 3PM, 4 reb, 2 blk) stuff the stat sheet to help Boston take a 7-point advantage over the Sixers at the break. The Celtics shoot 12-for-28 (43%) from 3 as four C’s have hit at least two 3-pointers.

Kelly Oubre Jr. (11 pts, 3 reb) is the only Sixer in double figures, but Tyrese Maxey (9 pts, 4 ast, 1 blk), Paul George (8 pts, 2 3PM) and VJ Edgecombe (8 pts, 5 reb, 1 blk) are right behind him.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 8:01 ET

Starting Lineups: Lakers-Rockets, Game 3

LeBron James and the Lakers look for a commanding 3-0 series lead when they visit Alperen Sengun and the Rockets on Prime Video. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Lakers
    • PG – Luke Kennard (25.0 ppg, 72.7% on 5.5 3PA, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 spg)
    • SG – Marcus Smart (20.0 ppg, 7.5 apg, 3.0 spg, 1.5 bpg)
    • SF – Rui Hachimura (13.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.0 bpg)
    • PF – LeBron James (23.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 10.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
    • C – Deandre Ayton (12.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)
  • Houston Rockets
    • PG – Reed Sheppard (8.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, 1.0 spg)
    • SG – Amen Thompson (16.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 8.0 apg, 2.0 spg)
    • SF – Tari Eason (13.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.5 spg)
    • PF – Jabari Smith Jr. (17.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.0 spg)
    • C – Alperen Sengun (19.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.5 spg, 1.5 bpg)

APRIL 24, 2026 / 7:56 ET

Sixers keeping it close

Defense to offense brings the Sixers to within 6, but Boston leads 43-35 with 6:56 remaining in the second quarter.

After shooting 13-for-50 from 3-point range in Game 2’s loss, the Celtics have already knocked down 11 of their 23 attempts from behind the arc.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 7:43 ET

C’s up 5 heading to 2Q

Boston takes a 29-24 edge over Philadelphia heading to the second frame behind Jaylen Brown (7 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast) and Jayson Tatum (6 pts, 3 ast). The Celtics are outscoring the Sixers 21-6 from the 3-point line.

Tyrese Maxey has a game-high 9 points on 3-for-9 shooting, adding 2 boards, 3 assists and one block in 12 minutes.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 7:33 ET

Celtics-76ers underway on Prime

It’s been somewhat of a slow start in Philadelphia, as both teams are shooting below 39% from the field with the game tied at 18 with 3:08 left in the first quarter.

Tyrese Maxey (5 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast, 1 blk) and Adem Bona (6 pts, 3 reb, 1 blk) pace the Sixers early.

Jaylen Brown leads six Celtics with 5 points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3PM) and 3 rebounds in 9 minutes of play.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 6:43 ET

NAW wins Most Improved Player award

Congratulations to the Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker for being named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player!

APRIL 24, 2026 / 6:15 ET

Starting Lineups: Celtics-76ers, Game 3

Jaylen Brown and the Celtics visit Tyrese Maxey and the 76ers for Game 3 of their series tied at 1-1 on Prime Video. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

  • Boston Celtics:
    • PG – Derrick White (9.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 1.0 bpg)
    • SG – Jaylen Brown (31.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg)
    • SF – Sam Hauser (9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 42.9% on 7.0 3PA)
    • PF – Jayson Tatum (22.0 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 8.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
    • C – Neemias Queta (10.5 ppg on 88.9 FG%, 4.0 rpg)
  • Philadelphia 76ers:
    • PG – Tyrese Maxey (25.0 ppg, 8.5 apg, 1.0 spg)
    • SG – VJ Edgecombe (21.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 spg)
    • SF – Kelly Oubre, Jr. (11.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
    • PF – Paul George (18.0 ppg on 52.4 FG%, 4.0 rpg)
    • C – Adem Bona (1.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

APRIL 24, 2026 / 7:27 ET

Tonight’s injury report

BOS @ PHI — Joel Embiid will not play as he recovers from Appendectomy surgery.

LAL @ HOU — Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) are both out for the Lakers.

Kevin Durant (ankle) is out for the Rockets.

SAS @ POR — Victor Wembanyama (concussion protocol) traveled with the Spurs to Portland but remains questionable to suit up. Jordan McLaughlin (ankle) is out for the third straight game.

Damian Lillard (Achilles) remains out for the Blazers.

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