The Lakers are rolling, the Hawks are shocking everyone, and the bracket already has receipts.
One week down and the 2026 NBA Playoffs have already given us everything we wanted — a dominant favorite pushing toward a sweep, two first round upsets in the making, and a few series that have had more drama than expected. Let's get into it.
Lakers Closing In
Los Angeles Lakers lead Houston Rockets 3-0
Los Angeles has been the class of this series from the opening tip. The Lakers won Game 1 comfortably, won Game 2, and then survived a wild Game 3 in overtime — LeBron James closing it out with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists when it mattered most. The Rockets blew a six-point lead in the final 30 seconds of Game 3 and have nothing to show for it. LA is one win away from a sweep and they are not slowing down.
The Thunder Are a Problem
Oklahoma City Thunder lead Phoenix Suns 2-0
Oklahoma City has been dominant. Game 1 wasn't close — Thunder 119, Suns 84 — and Game 2 was more of the same with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander going for 37 points and 9 assists in a 120-107 win. The Suns have had no answer for OKC's pace, depth, and length. This series could be over quickly.
The Two Big Upsets
Atlanta Hawks lead New York Knicks 2-1
This is the story of Week 1. The Knicks won Game 1 at home and looked in control. Then Atlanta took Game 2 by a single point — 107-106 — in one of the best games of the first round. The Hawks then went into New York and won Game 3 to take the series lead. Jonathan Kuminga and CJ McCollum sparked the Game 3 victory. The Knicks are on their heels and the Hawks are playing with all the confidence in the world. If Atlanta wins Game 4 at MSG, this series is in real danger of getting away from New York.
San Antonio Spurs lead Portland Trail Blazers 2-1
The Spurs came in as the #2 seed and have played like it. San Antonio won Game 1 at home, then the Trail Blazers took Game 2 on the road to even the series at 1-1. The big story was Game 3 — the Spurs went into Portland without Victor Wembanyama and still found a way to win on the road to retake the series lead. That is a statement. This team is deep, they are well-coached, and losing Wemby for a game did not slow them down. Portland needs to figure something out before this series slips away.
Holding Serve
Boston Celtics lead Philadelphia 76ers 2-1
Boston came out of the gate fast — blowing out the 76ers in Game 1 123-91. Philadelphia responded and took Game 2 to even the series. The Celtics bounced back and won Game 3 108-100 to retake control. The Celtics have the talent edge and the experience, but the 76ers have shown they can compete when they are locked in. Advantage Boston heading into Game 4.
Cleveland Cavaliers lead Toronto Raptors 2-1
Cleveland was dominant through the first two games — winning Game 1 126-113 and Game 2 115-105 — and looked on their way to a potential sweep. Then Toronto hosted Game 3 at Scotiabank Arena and Scottie Barnes dropped 33 points and 11 assists in a 126-104 blowout to give the Raptors life. That was a statement win at home. The Cavaliers still have the edge but they cannot afford to overlook a Toronto team that is now playing with confidence.
Minnesota Timberwolves lead Denver Nuggets 2-1
Denver won Game 1 convincingly and looked like the better team. The Timberwolves have won two straight since — completing a dramatic comeback to tie the series and then taking Game 3. Jokic is always dangerous and the Nuggets have the experience to make this a long series. But Minnesota has the momentum right now and they are playing their best basketball of the season.
Detroit Pistons tied with Orlando Magic 1-1
Orlando took Game 1 112-101 and looked sharp doing it. Detroit bounced back to win Game 2 98-83 behind Cade Cunningham — 27 points and 11 assists. Two completely different games, series completely even. This one is genuinely hard to read heading into Game 3 and that is exactly what makes it interesting.
Looking Ahead to Week 2
The Lakers are one win from a sweep and the Thunder look like the class of the West. The Hawks are the biggest story — if Atlanta takes Game 4 at MSG the Knicks season is in serious jeopardy. As for San Antonio, the real question heading into Week 2 is whether Wembanyama returns. If he does, Portland's path just got a lot harder. If he remains out and the Spurs keep winning anyway, that says everything about how good this team is right now. And Cleveland needs a response after getting embarrassed in Game 3 in Toronto.
Week 2 is going to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
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