NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: May 5, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Eastern Conference Playoff Drama

The Eastern Conference first round delivered twin Game 7 thrillers, most notably as the Philadelphia 76ers vanquished the Boston Celtics in a dramatic final contest, allowing the team to advance. Earlier in the series, the 76ers had stolen Game 2 in Boston, setting the tone for the intense back-and-forth that characterized the matchup. This victory sets up a second-round encounter that is currently awaiting the conclusion of another nail-biter, as the playoffs' second round remains partially set pending two other decisive games. Separately, Detroit Pistons rapper Gmac Cash became a local hero, with his victory anthem now a staple at Little Caesars Arena following every win, even as they forced a Game 7 against Orlando.

Western Conference Advances & Odds Movement

In the West, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a decisive blowout victory over the Houston Rockets to advance to the next round, where they are slated to face the Oklahoma City Thunder. This win caused a dramatic shift in betting markets, as Lakers title odds rocketed upward following their 2-0 series lead against Houston, flipping the futures market to put the Thunder as the new odds-on favorites for the championship. Meanwhile, the team that eliminated the Lakers last year, the Denver Nuggets, saw Karl-Anthony Towns make an appearance courtside, adding star power to the ongoing postseason spectacle.

Eliminated Teams Face Offseason Decisions

With several first-round matchups now settled, teams like the Orlando Magic face immediate offseason planning after star Franz Wagner was ruled out again for Game 7, ultimately falling short against the Detroit surge. For franchises that saw their seasons end prematurely, such as the Charlotte Hornets and the Clippers, the focus immediately shifts to the draft and potential trade targets. Insiders are also monitoring the front office vacancies, with reports detailing how the Chicago Bulls are approaching their executive search as the evaluation period begins across the league.

Player & Personal News Off the Court

Beyond the action on the floor, personal narratives continue to drive conversation, particularly regarding LeBron James addressing viral footage concerning his son, Bronny, whom he described as being "him and Bronny are twins." On the losing side of the Eastern Conference bracket, the Toronto Raptors were forced to confront their elimination, though RJ Barrett managed to save their season temporarily with a dramatic late three-pointer earlier in their series. The intensity of the postseason also appears to have prompted some caution from players like Joel Embiid, who reportedly urged the Philadelphia faithful to refrain from selling playoff tickets to New York Knicks fans ahead of their eventual series victory.