• Draft
  • Teams
  • League Pass

2026 NBA Playoffs

Recap: 2026 NBA Playoffs, R1 | Road teams prevail to go ahead in first round series

Check out the best of Friday's 2026 NBA Playoffs action, featuring Celtics-76ers, Lakers-Rockets and Spurs-Blazers.

With Victor Wembanyama (concussion) out, Dylan Harper shined with a career-high 27 points off the Spurs’ bench during their Game 3 win against Portland. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/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.

That’s a wrap for tonight’s action-packed triple-header on Prime Video, as the Celtics, Lakers and Spurs all claim victories on the road.

What we know about Friday’s Game 3s:

  • Jayson Tatum rose to the occasion in Boston’s 108-100 win over the Sixers in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. JT scored 11 of his 25 points while shooting 4-for-5 and 2-for-2 from 3-point range in all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter.
  • The Lakers survive to go up 3-0 on the Houston Rockets behind LeBron James (29 pts, 13 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl, 1 blk) and Marcus Smart (21 pts, 4 reb, 10 ast, 5 stl, 2 blk). The final two minutes of regulation and overtime were wild, but LA held on to be the first team in the 2026 NBA Playoffs to go up 3 games to none. No team in postseason history has lost a series after being up 3-0 (159-0).
  • No Wemby, no problem for the Spurs. San Antonio took down the Blazers 120-108 to take a 2-1 lead in the series despite a 15-point second-half deficit. Dylan Harper (career-high 27 pts) and Stephon Castle (postseason career-high 33 pts) propel the West’s No. 2 seed to a gritty win without Victor Wembanyama (concussion).

Friday’s finals

Stephon Castle (33 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl) is your player of the night!

APRIL 25, 2026 / 1:41 ET

Harper’s career night

Dylan Harper goes OFF in the second half on his way to a career-best performance in the Spurs’ Game 3 victory.

APRIL 25, 2026 / 1:26 ET

Castle, Harper lift Spurs to G3 win

Stephon Castle drops a game-high 33 points (10-18 FG, 3-4 3PM, 10-11 FT) with 2 rebounds, 5 assists and one steal, and Dylan Harper catches fire with 22 of his career-high 27 points (9-12 FG, 4 3PM) in the second half to spark the Spurs to a 120-108 victory against Portland. San Antonio secures a 2-1 series lead and takes back home court.

Harper adds 10 rebounds, 3 dimes, one steal and one block in 30 minutes off San Antonio’s bench. He started taking the game into his own hands during the third quarter, going back and forth in a duel with Scoot Henderson (21 pts, 5 3PM) to rally his team back from a 15-point deficit.

Jrue Holiday was sensational at both ends, finishing with a team-high 29 points on 12-for-18 from the field with five made 3s, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Deni Avdija tallies 19 points on 3-for-15 shooting with 6 boards and 9 dimes, and he and the Blazers will look to regroup for Game 4 on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

APRIL 25, 2026 / 1:10 ET

Harper taking over in 2H

Dylan Harper takes off and detonates over and around Robert Williams III, and he’s up to a career-high 27 points on 9-for-11 shooting and 4-for-5 from downtown in 25 minutes. The Spurs are in the midst of a 15-2 run and hold a 108-97 lead over Portland with 5:01 left in the contest.

Jrue Holiday leads the Blazers with 27 points on 11-for-17 shooting (5-9 3PM), along with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in almost 37 minutes.

APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:52 ET

To the 4th we go!

San Antonio closes the third quarter on a 21-5 run to take an 88-87 lead over Portland as we head to the final quarter on Prime Video.

APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:39 ET

Spurs not going away

Jrue Holiday is cooking with a game-high 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, adding 4 rebounds, one assist and 2 steals in 30 minutes. Portland leads San Antonio 84-78 with 2:43 left in the third.

Stephon Castle leads the Spurs with 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting, while Dylan Harper chips in 13 points (4-5 FG, 2-3 3PM), 5 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 17 minutes off the bench.

APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:26 ET

Avdija, Blazers clicking

Portland starts the third quarter strong to gain a 77-66 lead over the Spurs with 6:45 to go in the period. The Blazers look to secure a 2-1 series lead and home court.

APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:22 ET

Smart 🤝 Jordan

Marcus Smart was elite at both ends of the court in the Lakers’ Game 3 victory.

APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:05 ET

Blazers lead 65-59 at half

Portland is getting tremendous performances from Jrue Holiday (17 pts, 3 reb, 1 stl), Scoot Henderson (14 pts, 4 3PM) and Robert Williams III (7 pts, 4 reb, 1 stl, 3 blk) en route to a 7-point advantage at the break.

Stephon Castle has a game-high 19 points on 6-for-11 shooting (6-7 FT) with 2 rebounds and 3 assists, while De’Aaron Fox (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) and Luke Kornet (9 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, 2 blk) do a bit of everything for San Antonio.

The second half will start soon on Prime Video. Do the Blazers hang on, or will the Spurs fight back to grab a 2-1 series lead without Victor Wembanyama (concussion)?

APRIL 24, 2026 / 11:50 ET

Witness The King

LeBron James took over and came up clutch to help the Lakers go up 3-0 on the Rockets.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 11:40 ET

Portland taking control in 2Q

Jrue Holiday fuels a 12-2 run and a 47-43 lead for the Blazers with a game-high 17 pts on 7-for-10 shooting (3 3PM) in 16 minutes.

Stephon Castle (15 pts, 2 ast) and Luke Kornet (9 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk) pace the Spurs.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 11:26 ET

Spurs, Blazers in a good one early

Portland led 29-27 after the first quarter, but the Spurs hold a 36-34 advantage with 8:55 remaining in the second. Stephon Castle has a game-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting after a tough and-1.

Scoot Henderson has 8 points with two made 3s, while Jrue Holiday has a team-high 9 points on 4-for-7 shooting. Deni Avdija (3 pts, 3 ast) and Robert Williams III (6 pts, 3 reb) continue to display some elite chemistry this postseason.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 11:21 ET

Lakers hang on for 3-0 series lead

LeBron James turns back the clock en route to 29 points (10-22 FG), 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and one block in 45 minutes during the Lakers’ unreal 112-108 victory over Houston. Marcus Smart adds 21 points, 4 boards, 10 dimes, 5 steals and 2 blocks in an all-around performance.

LeBron and Bronny James (5 pts, 2-2 FG) connect on the first-ever father-to-son assist in postseason history.

Alperen Sengun drops a game-high 33 points (15-27 FG) and 16 rebounds to go along with 6 assists, 3 steals and a block, recording a game-best +10 in 47 minutes. Houston had 6-point lead in the final minute of regulation, but some bad miscues allow the Lakers to come back and eventually prevail.

No team has ever rallied to win a playoff series when trailing 3-0 (159-0).

APRIL 24, 2026 / 11:04 ET

Spurs-Blazers underway

San Antonio and Portland are tied at 15 with 4:09 to go in the first quarter.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 11:00 ET

Nail-biter in Houston

The Lakers lead the Rockets 112-108 with 7.4 seconds remaining in the extra period.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:51 ET

Lakers-Rockets down to the wire

This game has been incredible, especially in the second half. The Lakers hold a 109-105 lead with 52.4 seconds left in overtime.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:39 ET

Overtime in Houston!

We’re headed to OT after LeBron (29 pts, 12 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl) misses the turnaround 3 just before the regulation buzzer. Extra postseason basketball is live on Prime Video!

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:36 ET

The King ties it at 101

LeBron James drills the clutch triple to tie Game 3 at 101 with 13.1 ticks remaining. Insanity.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:34 ET

3-point game in H-Town

Houston and LA are battling to the very end in the fourth, as the Rockets lead 101-98 with 25.4 seconds remaining. Get to this game NOW!

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:26 ET

Rockets storm back in 4Q

Houston is absolutely buzzing right now, thanks in large part to Reed Sheppard (14 pts, 3 3PM, 2 stl, 2 blk) and Amen Thompson (26 pts, 11 reb, 3 stl, 3 blk). The Rockets fight back to take a 95-91 lead over the Lakers with 3:32 remaining in the contest.

LeBron James continues to lead LA with 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting (3 3PM), 10 rebounds, 5 dimes and one steal in 37 minutes. Tune in now on Prime Video to see if the Rockets hold on or if the Lakers claim a 3-0 series lead.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:17 ET

Starting Lineups: Spurs-Blazers, Game 3

Jrue Holiday and the Blazers host Devin Vassell and the Spurs for Game 3 of their series tied at 1-1 on Prime Video. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

  • San Antonio Spurs
    • PG – De’Aaron Fox (17.0 ppg, 6.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
    • SG – Stephon Castle (17.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.0 spg)
    • SF – Devin Vassell (15.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg)
    • PF – Julian Champagnie (7.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, 1.5 bpg)
    • C – Luke Kornet (10.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 spg)
  • Portland Trail Blazers
    • PG – Scoot Henderson (24.5 ppg on 64.3 FG%, 53.8% on 6.5 3PA)
    • SG – Jrue Holiday (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 10.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg)
    • SF – Deni Avdija (22.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.0 bpg)
    • PF – Toumani Camara (9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 spg, 1.0 bpg)
    • C – Donovan Clingan (6.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.0 bpg)

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:12 ET

Brown, Tatum combine for 50 in G3 W

Check out the best highlights from Boston’s superstar duo in their thrilling Game 3 victory.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 10:03 ET

Lakers up 5 heading to 4Q

Amen Thompson is doing it all for Houston, tallying 21 points on 6-for-11 shooting with 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Los Angeles takes an 80-75 lead as we head to the final frame on Prime Video.

LeBron James (20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast) leads the way for the Lakers as they seek a 3-0 series lead.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:55 ET

Celtics take Game 3 in Philly

Clutch triples in the final two minutes from Jayson Tatum (25 pts, 5 3PM, 4 reb, 7 ast) and Payton Pritchard (15 pts, 5 3PM) give Boston a 108-100 win over the Sixers and a 2-1 series lead. JT erupts for 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting (2-2 3PM), 2 boards and 2 assists while playing all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter.

Jaylen Brown tallies a full line with 25 points (9-16 FG, 1-2 3PM, 6-6 FT), 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and one steal in 40 minutes of action. The Celtics finish 20-for-47 (42.6%) from 3-point range after going 13-for-50 (26%) in Game 2’s defeat.

Tyrese Maxey drops a game-high 31 points (12-31 FG, 5-13 3PM, 2-2 FT) to go along with 4 boards, 6 dimes, 2 blocks and one steal in almost 43 minutes. Paul George adds 18 points with four made 3s, 5 assists and 2 steals, while VJ Edgecombe secures a double-double (10 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) for the second straight game.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:44 ET

Rockets climb back in 3Q

Houston is outscoring LA 14-7 in the third to trim their deficit to 70-66 with 4:41 left in the period. Jabari Smith Jr. has a game-high 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting with four made 3s.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:40 ET

Clutch time in Celtics-76ers

Two free throws from Kelly Oubre Jr. make it a 103-100 lead for Boston with 1:00 remaining.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:30 ET

2-point game in Philly

The Sixers rattle off a 5-0 run to trim their deficit to just 2, 92-90, with 4:02 remaining on Prime Video!

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:25 ET

Lakers up 11 at halftime

Los Angeles takes a 63-52 lead into the break as LeBron James (3 reb, 4 ast) and Rui Hachimura (3 3PM, 1 stl) pour in 16 points apiece. The Lakers shoot 57% (23-40 FG) overall and 62% (8-13) from downtown, while the Rockets finish at 37% (16-43 FG) from the field and 37% (7-19) from 3.

Jabari Smith Jr. (14 pts, 4 3PM), Alperen Sengun (11 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl) and Amen Thompson (11 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl, 3 blk) lead the way for Houston.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:15 ET

Maxey gives Sixers lead in 4Q

Tyrese Maxey has a game-high 29 points and five made 3-pointers to give Philadelphia an 85-84 lead with 8:41 remaining in the game.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:09 ET

Wemby out for Game 3

ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Victor Wembanyama (concussion protocol) is out for tonight’s Game 3 against Portland.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 9:06 ET

Boston leads 79-74 heading to 4Q

Jaylen Brown (17 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast), Jayson Tatum (14 pts, 5 ast) and Payton Pritchard (12 pts, 4 3PM, 4 reb) power the Celtics’ 5-point advantage heading to the final frame on Prime Video.

Tyrese Maxey leads Philadelphia with a game-high 21 points on 8-for-21 shooting (3 3PM), adding 3 boards, 5 assists, one steal and 2 blocks in 30 minutes.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 8:58 ET

LeBron making plays

LeBron James is up to 14 points on 5-for-5 shooting (2 3PM) with 3 rebounds, 4 dimes and one steal in 14 minutes, giving the Lakers a 59-46 lead over the Rockets with 4:49 left in the first half.

The King connects with Bronny for the up-and-under oop. What a moment for the father-son duo.

Jabari Smith Jr. (12 pts, 4 3PM), Alperen Sengun (11 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast) and Reed Sheppard (8 pts, 2 3PM, 3 ast) fuel Houston’s offense as they look to climb back in Game 3.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 8:50 ET

Sixers take lead in 3Q

Philadelphia is outscoring Boston 20-12 in the third behind Paul George (16 pts, 4 3PM) and Tyrese Maxey (game-high 19 pts, 3 3PM), and the Sixers grab a 67-66 edge with 5:14 remaining in the quarter.

The Celtics star duo of Jaylen Brown (6 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk) and Jayson Tatum (2 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl) each have 13 points apiece.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 8:42 ET

Hachimura catches fire in 1Q

Rui Hachimura drops a game-high 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting and 3-for-3 from long range, giving the Lakers a 39-32 edge over Houston after 12 minutes. Luke Kennard adds 8 points and 4 dimes, and LA dishes out 14 assists on 14 made field goals.

Alperen Sengun is feeling it for the Rockets, tallying a team-high 11 points on 4-for-6 shooting with 2 boards, 2 assists and one steal.

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 / 9:13 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 has been ruled out. Jordan McLaughlin (ankle) is out for the third straight game.

Damian Lillard (Achilles) remains out for the Blazers.

Related

Latest