NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 3, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Eastern Conference Shocks & Advancements

The Eastern Conference first round delivered dramatic results, highlighted by the Philadelphia 76ers vanquishing the Boston Celtics in a Game 7 thriller, a contest where key takeaways revealed how Philly stole Game 2, setting the tone for the upset. This victory sends the 76ers into the second round while immediately putting pressure on the Celtics' front office heading into the offseason. Separately, the Orlando Magic ruled out star Franz Wagner for their decisive Game 7 against the Detroit Pistons, a contest the Pistons roared back to force after trailing significantly, fueling local excitement exemplified by rapper Gmac Cash's victory anthem becoming a staple at Little Caesars Arena.

Western Bracket Shakeups & Offseason Outlook

The Western Conference saw the Los Angeles Lakers blowing out the Houston Rockets to secure their advancement, positioning them to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round. Meanwhile, teams already eliminated, such as the Charlotte Hornets & Clippers, are now shifting focus entirely to the offseason, evaluating their strategies for the upcoming draft and free agency targets. The Raptors also managed to save their season with a dramatic Barrett three-pointer, avoiding immediate elimination and extending their first-round battle.

Postseason Drama & Future Planning

The immediate aftermath of the first-round exits has prompted immediate speculation about major roster moves, particularly for teams like the Clippers looking at trade targets to finally break through in the West. While the second round awaits official matchups pending the conclusion of all Game 7s, the intensity of the earlier upsets, such as Joel Embiid's performance prompting him to tell Philly fans not to sell tickets to Knicks supporters, sets a high bar for the remaining contenders.