Samwise NBA Newsletter
Monday, May 4, 2026
76ers Complete Historic 3-1 Comeback, Eliminate Celtics in Game 7
The Philadelphia 76ers came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 109-100 in Game 7 on Saturday at TD Garden, completing one of the most dramatic playoff upsets in years. Joel Embiid recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists despite playing through discomfort. Tyrese Maxey added 30 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, scoring nine of the Sixers’ final 11 points to seal the win. The Celtics played without Jayson Tatum, ruled out hours before tip with left knee stiffness. Before Saturday, Boston had never lost a series after building a 3-1 lead. Philadelphia next faces the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Pistons Win First Playoff Series Since 2008 With Game 7 Rout of Magic
The Detroit Pistons earned their first playoff series victory since 2008, routing the Orlando Magic 116-94 in Game 7 on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena to complete a 3-1 comeback of their own. Cade Cunningham was brilliant, logging 32 points and 12 assists on efficient 10-of-18 shooting. Tobias Harris contributed 30 points and nine rebounds, hitting five of seven attempts from three-point range. Paolo Banchero fought hard for the Magic with 38 points, nine rebounds and six assists in his team’s final game. Detroit becomes the second Eastern Conference team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in this year’s playoffs, and will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Cavaliers Storm Past Raptors in Game 7 to Reach Conference Semifinals
The Cleveland Cavaliers powered past the Toronto Raptors 114-102 in Game 7 on Sunday, advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the third consecutive season. Jarrett Allen was dominant in the deciding game, finishing with 22 points and 19 rebounds to anchor a strong defensive effort in the second half. Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 24 points, but the Raptors were outscored by 17 in the third quarter as Cleveland pulled away. Brandon Ingram sat out the series with right heel inflammation, limiting Toronto’s offensive options throughout. The Cavaliers now face the Detroit Pistons in a second-round matchup, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Jayson Tatum Ruled Out of Game 7 With Left Knee Stiffness, Celtics Eliminated
Celtics star Jayson Tatum was ruled out of Game 7 against the 76ers on Saturday due to left knee stiffness, a blow that proved pivotal as Boston lost 109-100 and was eliminated. Tatum was listed as questionable before the game, but the medical staff and coach Joe Mazzulla determined he could not complete the return-to-play protocol in time for tip-off. The stiffness is a separate issue from his right Achilles, though this postseason highlighted the physical burden the forward carried. Tatum described it as tightness he expected to manage through the offseason. Boston had never previously lost a series after leading 3-1.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Anthony Edwards Knee Injury Clouds Timberwolves Second-Round Series vs. Spurs
Anthony Edwards is expected to miss at least the first two games of the Timberwolves’ second-round series against the San Antonio Spurs due to a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension suffered in Game 4 against Denver on April 25. The Timberwolves finished off the Nuggets in six games without their leading scorer before earning a date with the Spurs, whose series begins Monday. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Edwards could return as early as Game 3 on Friday in Minnesota, though his status remains day-to-day. Minnesota is optimistic, and coach Chris Finch said Edwards typically returns ahead of projected timelines. No ligament damage was found on imaging.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Conference Semifinals Begin Monday: Thunder-Lakers Headlines Loaded Four-Series Slate
The 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals open Monday with all four series set following a dramatic conclusion to the first round. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 tonight, while the San Antonio Spurs open against an Anthony Edwards-less Minnesota Timberwolves squad as well. The Eastern Conference begins Tuesday, with the Detroit Pistons hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks welcoming the Philadelphia 76ers following their shocking first-round upset. The Thunder enter as the top seed in the West and heavy favorites against the Lakers, who overcame the Rockets to reach this stage.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports
Wizards, Pacers and Nets Each Hold 14% Odds Ahead of May 10 Draft Lottery
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10, with the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets each holding a 14 percent chance at the top pick. The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings sit just behind at 11.5 percent apiece. The lottery determines the order for a draft class headlined by several highly rated prospects. The 14 participating teams include squads that missed the playoffs and the two Play-In losers per conference. All three top-odds franchises are rebuilding programs that have deliberately positioned themselves for this opportunity. Final odds were set once the Play-In Tournament concluded in mid-April.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, ESPN
Two 3-1 Comebacks in One Conference Headline Parity-Rich 2026 First Round
The 2026 NBA Playoffs first round delivered back-to-back 3-1 comebacks in the Eastern Conference, a rare occurrence in a single playoff bracket. Philadelphia’s 76ers eliminated the 2-seed Celtics on Saturday without star Jayson Tatum, one day before the Pistons ousted the Magic to win their first series since 2008. In the West, the Thunder swept the Suns in four, the Spurs beat Portland in five, and the Timberwolves surprised Denver in six games without Anthony Edwards. The Lakers advanced through a series with the Rockets. ESPN’s first-round analysis highlighted emerging contributors including the 76ers’ V.J. Edgecombe, the third overall pick from the 2025 draft.
NBA Playoffs — Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers — Series 0–0, Game 1 Tue May 5
(3) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers — Series 0–0, Game 1 this week
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Los Angeles Lakers — Series 0–0, Game 1 Mon May 4
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves — Series 0–0, Game 1 Mon May 4
First Round: East — Pistons def. Magic 4-3 | Cavaliers def. Raptors 4-3 | Knicks def. Hawks 4-2 | 76ers def. Celtics 4-3 West — Thunder def. Suns 4-0 | Spurs def. Blazers 4-1 | Timberwolves def. Nuggets 4-2 | Lakers def. Rockets
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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