2026 NBA Playoffs

Recap: Pistons, Thunder open Conference Semifinals with wins

Check out the the best highlights, stats and observations from Tuesday's action in the 2026 NBA Playoff Conference Semifinals.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Chet Holmgren and the Thunder defeated the Lakers to take Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals series.

Enjoy 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 and highlights from Tuesday’s action.

Cade Cunningham (23 pts, 7 ast) and the Pistons held off a late Cavaliers rally to take Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series 111-101, snapping a 12-game losing streak to Cleveland.

In the nightcap, Chet Holmgren (24 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk) led Oklahoma City to a convincing 108-90 win over the Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals series.

What we know after Tuesday’s games:

  • Teams that win Game 1 in the Conference Semifinals go on to win 73.6% of the time in the NBA Playoffs.
  • Postgame Pressers:
  • These series will resume Thursday with a doubleheader on Prime Video.
    • Cavaliers-Pistons, 7:00 ET
    • Lakers-Thunder, 9:30 ET

11:27 ET / MAY 5, 2026

One time for Chet Holmgren

11:24 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Tuesday’s results

  • Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101
  • Thunder 108, Lakers 90

Chet Holmgren (24 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk) is your top performer of the night.

11:14 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Postgame Presser: Lakers-Thunder

11:03 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Thunder win 108-90

Oklahoma City was in control throughout tonight, taking a Game 1 victory at the Paycom Center.

Chet Holmgren (24 pts, 12 reb, 3 blk) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18 pts, 6 ast) paced the Thunder, overcoming a strong night from LeBron James (27 points on 17 shots, 6 ast).

The Thunder shot 13-of-30 (43.3%) from 3-point range on the night, while the Lakers lagged behind at 10-of-30 (33.3%).

OKC earned a 34-15 advantage in bench points, led by Jared McCain (12 pts in 14:57).

10:50 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Thunder grooving through the game

The Lakers are up to 17 turnovers, as the Thunder are still comfortably leading in the Paycom Center. They’re up 101-84 with 4:34 remaining in the contest.

Austin Reaves (6 pts, 2-of-14 shooting) has had a rough night, looking for a place to attack the Thunder defense.

10:36 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Thunder up 84-72 after three

The Thunder are shooting 51.6% from the field, while the Lakers are at 41.8% — a testimony to OKC’s consistent defense, which was the best in the league during the regular season.

Beyond that, these squads are close in the team stats, in a game that’s seen six ties and five lead changes.

10:20 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Thunder stay rolling

76-65 with 4:35 to go in the third quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (16 pts on 11 shots) and Chet Holmgren (20 pts on 12 shots, 9 reb) have been in their groove tonight, but the Lakers are hanging around, led by LeBron James (16 pts).

9:52 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Postgame Presser: Cavaliers-Pistons

9:47 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Thunder up 61-53 at the half

Chet Holmgren (18 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk) has been huge so far for Oklahoma City, as they take control against the Lakers.

The Thunder are 7-of-13 (53.8%) from 3-point range so far, while the Lakers are 5-of-15 (33.3%).

9:36 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Pistons win 111-101

Cade Cunningham (23 pts, 7 ast) helped the Pistons snap a 12-game losing streak to the Cavaliers, earning them a Game 1 victory.

“It was a great team win. Lot of effort from everybody… They’re a tough team, so we knew it was going to be a battle coming in,” said Cunningham. “We’ve got a great culture going. It’s one win, and we’ve got to come back and do it again.”

9:31 ET / MAY 5, 2026

The Cade-Duren pick and roll in control

Detroit’s gone to its bread and butter down the stretch, allowing them to remain in command even after Cleveland tied the game at 93 with 5:28 to go.

9:16 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Cavs back in it

93-88 with 6:32 to go in the fourth quarter, as James Harden (13 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast) moves towards a triple-double.

Harden’s scored or assisted on the last six points for Cleveland.

9:08 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Duncan Robinson gets the crowd roaring

Five straight points for the sharpshooter puts the Pistons up 93-82 with 9:15 to go in the fourth quarter.

Jalen Duren blocked a Thomas Bryant dunk attempt, then grabbed an offensive board and found Robinson for an open 3-pointer.

8:59 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Lakers and Thunder rolling on NBC

20-17 Lakers with 4:14 to go in the first quarter, as LeBron James (12 pts on 5-of-7 shooting) enjoys a hot start.

8:54 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Cavaliers riding back into it

80-74 Pistons with 1:04 to go in the third quarter.

Cade Cunningham (21 pts) and Donovan Mitchell (17 pts) are hot as the game winds down on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.

8:42 ET / MAY 5, 2026

The Beard climbing the charts

8:40 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Starting Lineup: Lakers-Thunder, Game 1

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host the Lakers to open their 2026 Western Conference Semifinals series on NBC and Peacock.

Los Angeles:

  • PG Marcus Smart
    • The Oklahoma State product will be crucial for the Lakers in this series. He’ll be a Playoff-tested defensive option on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a secondary initiator.
  • SG Austin Reaves
    • Reaves was held to 14.7 ppg versus the Thunder this series — well below his season average of 23.3 ppg.
  • SF LeBron James
    • The King is one of four players that played against the Seattle SuperSonics before they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, along with Al Horford, Mike Conley Jr. and Kyle Lowry.
  • PF Rui Hachimura
    • Hachimura could help stretch out Chet Holmgren to the perimeter, giving the Lakers another offensive weapon.
  • C Deandre Ayton
    • Ayton, as always, is a swing piece for the Lakers. His athleticism could give Isaiah Hartenstein problems in the paint.

Oklahoma City:

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
    • Shai is 12-13 against the Lakers in his career, taking the second-most 3-pointers (4.7 3PA) he’s attempted against any team.
  • SG Ajay Mitchell
    • We’ll see if Mitchell can stay on the floor against the Lakers’ array of perimeter creators. It’ll be interesting to see whether he can stick with Marcus Smart.
  • SF Luguentz Dort
    • Dort defended LeBron James on 26 possessions this season, holding him to zero points on one shot attempt.
  • PF Chet Holmgren
    • Holmgren could be impossible for the Lakers to handle. His shooting ability, size and defensive presence will be a major factor in this series.
  • C Isaiah Hartenstein
    • Hartenstein shot 71.4% from the field against the Suns — can he match that in this series?

8:35 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Cavaliers cut into lead again

65-55 Pistons with 9:03 to go in the third quarter, as Evan Mobley (12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast) gets loose with four points in the second half.

8:21 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Pistons up 59-46 at the half

Donovan Mitchell and Cade Cunningham have 14 points apiece, as the Pistons have controlled the game with a 20-7 advantage in points off turnovers and strong defense, holding the Cavs to 38.5% shooting.

8:10 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Watch the turnovers

The Cavs have established a 12-3 advantage in turnovers so far, including a steal that sprung Ron Holland II for a fast break Eurostep layup, drawing the and-one through Keon Ellis.

8:04 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Harden bottled up

Cade Cunningham just forced James Harden into an over-and-back violation, continuing a tough stretch for The Beard.

He isolated against Ausar Thompson at the end of the shot clock, missing a stepback 3-pointer, then took and missed another over Jaren Duren on a switch.

Of course, as this entry was in progress, Harden knocked down a 3-pointer (7 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast). Hard to keep such an experienced scorer down.

7:57 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Cavaliers cut into the lead

44-35 Pistons with 7:25 to go in the second quarter, as James Harden (4 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) draws a third foul on Duncan Robinson to get to the line for two free throws.

Donovan Mitchell (14 pts) has continued his scoring attack, as the Cavaliers better their shooting to 12-of-29 (41.4%).

Jarrett Allen’s been confined to the bench for most of the game with three fouls, giving the Pistons freer reign offensively.

7:42 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Pistons up 37-21 after the first quarter

Detroit’s been dominant so far, throwing off the Cavaliers’ offense while establishing their own rhythm.

Cade Cunningham (10 pts on 7 shots) is working his way to success, while Jalen Duren (4 pts, 3 reb) and Tobias Harris (6 pts) are settling in comfortably.

Javonte Green (3 pts) added the kicker for the fans at Little Caesar’s Arena.

7:33 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Pistons on a 15-3 run

Bringing the score to 30-14 with 2:18 to go in the first quarter.

Detroit’s held Cleveland to 6-of-20 shooting so far (20%) and forced six turnovers while committing none themselves.

Daniss Jenkins (6 pts on 3-of-4 shooting, 2 stl) has provided an early spark for the Pistons after putting up 16 points in a big Game 7 against the Magic.

7:20 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Donovan Mitchell out of the gates early

The Pistons are up 15-9 with 6:41 to go in the first quarter, but Donovan Mitchell (7 pts, 2 reb) is out for a big night early, taking six quick shots against JB Bickerstaff’s paint-packing defense.

Tobias Harris (6 pts) leads things for Detroit so far.

6:30 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Starting Lineups: Cavaliers-Pistons, Game 1

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers open their 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons tonight on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.

Cleveland:

  • PG James Harden
    • The Beard has played in the 19th most Playoff games all time — 180, tied with Dennis Johnson, one ahead of Michael Jordan.
  • SG Donovan Mitchell
    • Mitchell has never advanced past the Conference Semifinals in his stellar career, last reaching them in 2024.
  • SF Dean Wade
    • Wade has been a consistent role player for the Cavaliers — will he be able to match up with Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris consistently?
  • PF Evan Mobley
    • Mobley will be crucial in this series, as he walls off the paint against a hard-nosed, aggressive team.
  • C Jarrett Allen
    • Allen helped close out the Raptors with a dominant Game 7, putting up 22 points and 19 rebounds.

Detroit:

  • PG Cade Cunningham
    • Cunningham has been a warrior for the Pistons so far, averaging 40.4 MPG — fourth-most in this Playoffs.
  • SG Duncan Robinson
    • The sharpshooter out of Michigan has made 166 career 3-pointers in the Playoffs — more than Peja Stojaković (162), Joe Johnson (160) or Dirk Nowitzki (149).
  • SF Ausar Thompson
    • We’ll see who the hyper-athletic forward guards in this series. In the regular season, he defended Donovan Mitchell for 18 possessions, allowing seven points on 2-of-5 shooting.
  • PF Tobias Harris
    • Harris was clutch for the Pistons in their series against the Raptors, steadying the ship with consistent scoring and heart. Can he have the same impact against the Cavs’ frontline of Mobley and Allen?
  • C Jaren Duren
    • Duren was outplayed at times by Wendell Carter Jr. in the Pistons’ series against the Magic. In their career head-to-head matchups, both he and Jarrett Allen have averaged 14.6 ppg.

6:00 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Tuesday’s injury report

Kevin Huerter’s out for the Pistons.

Luka Dončić is out for the Lakers, as is Jalen Williams for the Thunder.

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