2026 NBA Playoffs

Recap: Thunder stake 3-0 lead, Cavaliers pull one back

Check out the best from Saturday's action in the 2026 NBA Playoffs with our live blog, featuring Pistons-Cavs and Thunder-Lakers.

NBA.com Staff

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 Saturday’s action.

What we know after Saturday’s games:

  • Cleveland stays undefeated at home with their 116-109 victory over Detroit in a thrilling Game 3. Donovan Mitchell (35 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast) becomes the third player in Cavaliers franchise history to record 35+ points and 10+ rebounds, joining LeBron James (21x) and Brad Daugherty. James Harden scores 9 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, with 7 straight in the final 90 seconds to keep his squad ahead. Game 4 is set for Monday night in The Land (8 ET, NBC/Peacock).
  • Thunder Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead: Oklahoma City has dominated Los Angeles all season, winning all seven games against them. They’re winning by over 25 points per game in those seven matchups. They took down Game 3, 131-108, and will look to close this series on Monday (10:30 ET, Prime Video).

Saturday’s final scores:

Top Performers of the Night

-Donovan Mitchell had 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

-James Harden tallied 19 points, two rebounds and seven assists.

-Cade Cunningham collected 27 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

-Ajay Mitchell accrued 24 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and three steals.

-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander amassed 23 points, four rebounds, nine assists and two blocks.

-Rui Hachimura had 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.

-LeBron James generated 19 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

 

MAY 9, 2026 / 11:02 ET

Thunder Defeat Lakers, 131-108

Oklahoma City takes a commanding 3-0 lead in this series.

They’ve won all seven games against LA this year by over 25 points per game.

They’ve outscored LA in 10 of 12 quarters in this series.

Ajay Mitchell amassed 24 points, four rebounds and 10 assists.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander accrued 23 points, four rebounds and nine assists.

MAY 9, 2026 / 10:47 ET

Lakers Looking for One Final Push?

Los Angeles needs to avoid a 3-0 hole in this series, and it’ll take a fourth-quarter comeback to do just that.

The Thunder lead by 18 points with six minutes remaining.

Ajay Mitchell has 24 points and nine assists, scoring nine of those in this quarter.

See the finish on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 10:24 ET

Thunder Lead Lakers After 3Q, 90-79

Oklahoma City took command in that quarter, outscoring Los Angeles, 33-20.

They’ve won all six games against LA this season and have a 2-0 lead in this series.

The Thunder are shooting 54 percent while holding the Lakers below 44 percent.

They’re also winning the turnover battle, 14-7.

MAY 9, 2026 / 9:58 ET

Third Quarter Underway

Oklahoma City is off to a hot start in the second half.

They’ve outscored LA, 21-6, to take their largest lead of the game.

OKC is shooting 56 percent while holding LA to 44 percent.

See the action on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 9:35 ET

Lakers Lead Thunder at the Half, 59-57

This has been the most competitive game in this series.

There have been seven ties and nine lead changes in total, with neither team leading by more than 10 points.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 14 points, while Rui Hachimura has 16 points.

See the second half on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 9:13 ET

Thunder Lead Lakers After Q1, 31-25

Oklahoma City is off to another nice start.

They’ve outscored Los Angeles in eight of the nine quarters in this series.

The Thunder are shooting 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range.

Cason Wallace leads the way with 11 points.

See the action on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 8:49 ET

Thunder-Lakers Underway

Game 3 between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City is underway.

Los Angeles needs a home win here to avoid a 3-0 series deficit.

We’re tied at 10-10 through the opening four minutes.

See the action on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 8:33 ET

Lakers-Thunder Starters Announced

We’re getting close to tip.

Both teams will send out the same starting lineups as Game 2.

OKC leads this series, 2-0.

See the action on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 7:59 ET

Lakers-Thunder on ABC

We’re about an hour away from tip in this Western Conference Semi-Finals matchup.

Oklahoma City has been dominant thus far, carrying a 2-0 series lead.

The Thunder have won all six games against the Lakers by an average of 25 points per game.

See the action on ABC. 

MAY 9, 2026 / 6:53 ET

Harden delivers in the clutch

“I play basketball and whatever this team needs me to do, I’m gonna go out there and do it”, said James Harden in his postgame interview. Big time performance by The Beard when the Cavs needed it most.

MAY 9, 2026 / 6:26 ET

Spida keeps Cavs unbeaten at home

Donovan Mitchell becomes the third player in Cavs franchise history to record 35+ points and 10+ rebounds in a postseason game, joining LeBron James (21x) and Brad Daugherty.

MAY 9, 2026 / 6:00 ET

Spida, Harden drive Game 3 win

The Cavs get back in the series by defeating Detroit, 116-109 in Game 3, as they now trail 2-1. James Harden (19 pts, 2 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl) delivers a vintage crunch-time performance, scoring 7 straight Cleveland points to keep them in front for good.

Donovan Mitchell was masterful with a game-high 35 points on 13-for-24 shooting (2-8 3PM, 7-8 FT) in 38 minutes, adding 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Jarrett Allen (18 pts, 4 reb, 2 blk) and Evan Mobley (13 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk) win the battle of the bigs, while Dennis Schröder (11 pts, 2 ast, 2 blk) and Max Strus (7 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl) bring the energy off the bench.

Cade Cunningham did everything he could to bring Detroit back from a 17-point deficit, posting a triple-double with 27 points (10-27 FG), 10 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal with 8 turnovers. Tobias Harris registers his 8th consecutive 20-point game in the playoffs, finishing with 21 points (7-14 FG) and 5 rebounds in 38 minutes.

MAY 9, 2026 / 5:45 ET

Cavs up 4 with 90 seconds left

James Harden (14 pts, 7 ast) lulls Tobias Harris in isolation and drills the middy, giving Cleveland a 108-104 advantage with 1:29 remaining in Game 3.

MAY 9, 2026 / 5:40 ET

Crunch time in Cleveland

A 10-1 run for Detroit puts them up 101-100, but Donovan Mitchell knocks down two free throws to put Cleveland back on top, 102-101. Under 4 minutes to play in Game 3.

MAY 9, 2026 / 5:26 ET

Game 3 is GOOD

Sam Merrill (7 pts) sprints to the corner to keep the Cavs in front, 92-86, with 9:07 left in the contest.

Donovan Mitchell (30 pts) stays hot with his second consecutive 30-point game of this series.

MAY 9, 2026 / 5:15 ET

Two-point game heading to 4Q

Detroit wins the third quarter, 33-19, and they’ve cut their 17-point deficit to just 2, 83-81, with the fourth quarter coming up on Peacock/NBC.

Cade Cunningham is a huge reason for the rally in the third, and he’s up to 20 points, 8 boards, 8 assists and one steal for the Pistons.

Max Strus (5 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast) is making a difference with his activity and hustle, while Donovan Mitchell pours in a game-high 28 points (12-18 FG) with 8 rebounds and 3 dimes.

MAY 9, 2026 / 5:01 ET

Two possession game in Cleveland

The Pistons are showing more energy in the third quarter, as they burst out with an 11-2 run to cut the Cavs’ lead to 74-69 with 4:04 left in the period.

Cleveland is settling for 3-pointers (1-8 3PM in 3Q) and are shooting just 30.8% (4-13 FG) overall.

MAY 9, 2026 / 4:55 ET

Pistons gaining ground

Detroit trims a 17-point deficit to 11, 69-58, with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter. The Pistons have a 10-5 scoring advantage in the frame, live now on Peacock and NBC!

MAY 9, 2026 / 4:35 ET

Spida, Cavs make statement in 1H

Despite giving up 12 offensive rebounds through 24 minutes, Cleveland brings the energy and intensity to outscore Detroit 32-18 in the second quarter, giving the Cavs a 64-48 advantage at the break.

Donovan Mitchell dazzles with a game-high 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting (2-4 3PM), adding 5 boards and 3 dimes in 18 minutes. Jarrett Allen adds 13 points on 5-for-7 from the field and one block, while Evan Mobley (8 pts, 3 reb, 2 blk) and James Harden (8 pts, 5 ast) keep the offense in rhythm.

Detroit garners 13 more field goal attempts, but they’re shooting 37.5% (18-48 FG) overall and 14.3% (2-14 3PM) on 3-pointers. The Cavs finish the first half shooting 68.6% (24-35 FG) from the field and 53.8% (7-13 3PM) from downtown.

Cade Cunningham (10 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl) and Tobias Harris (10 pts, 4-4 FT) lead the way for the Pistons. Jalen Duren (9 pts, 2 stl), Ausar Thompson (3 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) and Cunningham (4-14 FG) all have 3 personal fouls, so keep an eye on their activity and aggression in the second half.

MAY 9, 2026 / 4:19 ET

Cavs dominating second quarter

Cleveland has a 25-14 scoring edge in the second quarter to give them a 57-44 edge with less than 3 minutes remaining before halftime.

Donovan Mitchell is up to 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists to lead the Cavs, while Cade Cunningham (10 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast) and Tobias Harris (10 pts) pace the Pistons.

MAY 9, 2026 / 4:00 ET

Cleveland stepping up at home

The Cavs are shooting 69.6% (16-23 FG) overall while holding Detroit to 36.4% (12-33 FG) shooting, as Cleveland holds a 41-34 advantage with 7:36 left in the first half. It’s their largest lead of the series to this point.

Donovan Mitchell has a game-high 13 points and 5 rebounds on 6-for-9 shooting in 12 minutes.

MAY 9, 2026 / 3:44 ET

Cavs lead 32-30 after 1Q

The turnovers continue to be an issue for Cleveland (6 in first quarter), but a spark from Dennis Schröder (8 pts, 2 3PM, 2 ast, 1 blk) off the bench helps the Cavs take a 2-point lead heading to the second.

Donovan Mitchell (9 pts, 3 reb) and Jarrett Allen (9 pts on 4-4 FG) fuel Cleveland’s best start through three games in this series.

Tobias Harris powers Detroit with 8 points on 3-for-5 shooting, and Cade Cunningham stuffs the stat sheet with 6 points, 5 boards, 4 assists and one steal.

MAY 9, 2026 / 3:26 ET

Game 3 underway in The Land

Donovan Mitchell powers Cleveland with 7 points and 3 rebounds, but the Cavs trail Detroit 18-15 with 6:26 remaining in the opening quarter on Peacock/NBC.

MAY 9, 2026 / 2:55 ET

Thunder eyeing history tonight

Oklahoma City aims to make it 7-0 to start their journey for back-to-back titles with a Game 3 victory against the Lakers in LA.

MAY 9, 2026 / 2:50 ET

Starting Lineups: Pistons-Cavaliers, Game 3

Detroit Pistons:

  • PG – Cade Cunningham (24.0 ppg, 8.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.0 bpg)
  • SG – Duncan Robinson (18.0 ppg, 5.0 3PM on 58.8 3P%, 2.5 spg)
  • SF – Ausar Thompson (10.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg)
  • PF – Tobias Harris (20.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 spg, 1.0 bpg)
  • C – Jalen Duren (9.5 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)

Kevin Huerter (adductor) remains out for Detroit, meaning JB Bickerstaff will rely on Daniss Jenkins, Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert in the second unit.

Cleveland Cavaliers:

  • PG – James Harden (16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.0 spg)
  • SG – Donovan Mitchell (27.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg)
  • SF – Dean Wade (6.5 ppg, 1.5 3PM, 4.0 rpg)
  • PF – Evan Mobley (11.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 2.5 bpg)
  • C – Jarrett Allen (12.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg)

Cleveland gets a boost to their 3-point shooting (30% this series) with Sam Merrill (hamstring) available off the bench after leaving early in Game 1 and missing all of Game 2. Max Strus, Jaylon Tyson and Dennis Schröder should continue to get opportunities in the second unit for the Cavs.

MAY 9, 2026 / 2:30 ET

Today’s injury report

DET @ CLE — Kevin Huerter (adductor) is out for the Pistons.

Sam Merrill (hamstring) is available to play for the Cavaliers.

OKC @ LAL — Jalen Williams (hamstring) remains out for the Thunder.

Luka Dončić (hamstring) will miss his ninth consecutive playoff game, and Jarred Vanderbilt (finger) is questionable for the Lakers after missing Game 2.

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