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NBA Basketball 3 Days

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10 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: May 6, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NBA Eastern Conference Showdowns

The Eastern Conference first round concluded with dramatic upsets, as the Philadelphia 76ers vanquished the Boston Celtics in a thrilling Game, securing their spot in the next round. This victory followed a critical Game 2 performance where Philly stole a key road win in Boston, setting the early tone for the series despite Boston being the top seed. the winner of the 76ers-Celtics series now awaits the victor of the other pivotal Eastern bracket, which is still pending resolution in a separate series.

Elsewhere in the East, the Orlando Magic ruled out star Franz Wagner for their decisive Game 7 matchup, a significant blow as they tried to close out a tough series. The Magic ultimately fell short after the Detroit Pistons roared back to stun the Magic in the prior game to force that deciding contest. The Pistons' dramatic win over Orlando galvanized their local support, with rapper Gmac Cash’s victory anthem becoming a staple at Little Caesars Arena following each triumph.

Western Conference Advancements & Awaiting Second Round

The Western Conference saw the Los Angeles Lakers decisively blow out the Houston Rockets to advance past their first-round assignment. The Lakers now prepare to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, leaving two other first-round series still undecided before the bracket is fully set. Meanwhile, for teams whose seasons ended prematurely, the focus immediately shifts to the summer, with offseason guides detailing draft, trade, and free agency targets for eliminated contenders like the Hornets and Clippers.

Scoring Drama & Offseason Focus

While much of the league's attention focused on the conclusion of the first round, one game from an earlier series exemplified the high-stakes drama, as RJ Barrett saved the Toronto Raptors' season with a dramatic, last-second three-pointer in a prior elimination game. For teams preparing for the draft, the success of teams like the 76ers and Lakers demonstrates that immediate postseason success is possible, even if the second round remains partially incomplete while waiting on two key series results across the league.