NBA Basketball 24 Hours

Last updated: May 4, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Eastern Conference Shocks & Setbacks

The Eastern Conference first round delivered high drama, most notably with Philadelphia stealing Game 2 in Boston following a massive effort from their star center. That series culminated in a Game 7 thriller where Embiid vanquished the Celtics, though not before the center issued a pointed message to Philly fans urging them not to sell tickets to Knicks supporters. Elsewhere in the East, the Magic ruled out star Franz Wagner again for Game 7, a critical blow as they faced elimination after the Pistons roared back to stun Orlando and force that decisive matchup, a comeback that has seen fan anthems, like Gmac Cash's victory track, become fixtures at the Little Caesars Arena.

Western Bracket Results & Next Steps

The Western Conference saw one matchup conclude decisively as the Lakers blew out the Rockets by a commanding margin to advance, setting up a second-round clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second round remains partially set, contingent on the conclusion of at least one other first-round series, while eliminated teams like the Clippers and Hornets immediately pivot to offseason guides focusing on draft strategy and potential trade targets. Meanwhile, the Raptors avoided elimination late Tuesday when RJ Barrett saved their season with a dramatic, last-second three-pointer.