NBA postseason guide: Schedule, stories, betting odds, how to watch and more

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This article was published 14/04/2026 (192 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There was a 14-point comeback win by Atlanta in New York, and a 19-point comeback win by Minnesota in Denver.

And it’s unanimous: Victor Wembanyama is pretty good at defense.

Monday had some drama, and the NBA playoffs already seem to be in full swing. Through the first three days, three lower-seeded teams have already stolen home-court advantage away — Orlando did it in Detroit on Sunday, and then the Hawks and Timberwolves did the same on Monday.

Tuesday’s schedule features three games: Philadelphia at Boston, Portland at San Antonio — where Wembanyama will be announced as Defensive Player of the Year for the first time — and Houston at the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics, Spurs and Lakers all lead those series 1-0.

Monday recaps

— Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105 to take 2-0 series lead. Cleveland’s Big 3 scores 83.

— Hawks 107, Knicks 106 to tie series 1-1. CJ McCollum got the last word at MSG.

— Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114 to tie series 1-1. Jaden McDaniels had thoughts.

Stories of note

— Warriors bracing for Kerr’s possible departure

— NBA individual awards finalists are announced

— Some news and notes going into the postseason

— Playoff preview: Thunder seeking another title

— Heat equipment manager needs organ transplants

— Natalie Sago the 3rd female ref picked for playoffs

— The view from Vegas says the West is the best

Awards watch

Awards season in the NBA started Monday with some history — At 22, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama is the youngest Defensive Player of the Year, and the first to win the award in a unanimous vote.

The finalists were unveiled Sunday night, led by the top three in the MVP voting — reigning winner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, three-time winner Nikola Jokic of Denver and Wembanyama, a first-time finalist.

The schedule for announcements:

— Tuesday, Clutch Player (6 p.m. EDT, Peacock/NBCSN). Finalists: Anthony Edwards, Minnesota; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Jamal Murray, Denver.

— Wednesday, Sixth Man (6 p.m. EDT, ESPN). Finalists: Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver; Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami; Keldon Johnson, San Antonio.

— Thursday, Sportsmanship Award (Noon EDT, https://x.com/NBAPR).

— Friday, Most Improved Player (6:30 p.m. EDT, Prime). Finalists: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta; Deni Avdija, Portland; Jalen Duren, Detroit.

And the announcements that won’t be until next week, at the earliest:

— MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City; Nikola Jokic, Denver; Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio.

— Coach of the Year: J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit; Mitch Johnson, San Antonio; Joe Mazzulla, Boston.

— Rookie of the Year: VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia; Cooper Flagg, Dallas; Kon Knueppel, Charlotte.

Tuesday’s games

7 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Philadelphia at Boston (Peacock/NBCSN)

8 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Portland at San Antonio (NBC/Peacock)

10:30 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Houston at LA Lakers (NBC/Peacock)

Wednesday’s games

7 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Orlando at Detroit (ESPN)

9:30 p.m. EDT — Game 2, Phoenix at Oklahoma City (ESPN)

Thursday’s games

7 p.m. EDT — Game 3, New York at Atlanta (Prime Video)

8 p.m. EDT — Game 3, Cleveland at Toronto (Prime Video)

9:30 p.m. EDT — Game 3, Denver at Minnesota (Prime Video)

Betting odds

Defending champion Oklahoma City (+110) is favored to win the NBA title, according to oddsmakers.

The Thunder are followed by San Antonio (+475), Boston (+600), Denver (+1200), Cleveland (+1400), Detroit (+2200) and New York (+3000).

Key dates

— May 2, 3 or 4: Conference semifinals begin.

— May 10: NBA draft lottery.

— May 10-17: NBA draft combine.

— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.

— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.

— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).

— June 23: Round 1, NBA draft

— June 24: Round 2, NBA draft

Quote of the day

— “It felt like that was it. It really felt like that was it. Is it? I don’t know. Like I said, I hope not. But for some reason, it just felt like that was it. And man, if it was, what a run it’s been.” — Draymond Green, speaking on the future of Golden State coach Steve Kerr, on “The Draymond Green Show.”

— “I ain’t no villain.” — Hawks guard CJ McCollum, after fans in New York booed him throughout Game 2 of Atlanta’s win in that series.

Stats of the day

— Over the last 30 years, Denver is 34-2 in playoff games where it has built a lead of 18 or more points. The two losses are both against Minnesota — and both at home, too. The Wolves rallied from 20 down to win Game 7 of the West semifinals in 2024, then rallied from 19 down on Monday.

— Speaking of Wolves-Nuggets, the teams have gone 15-15 against one another in their last 30 games. Average score of those games: Wolves 113, Nuggets 111.

— Jamal Murray made a 51-foot 3-pointer for Denver on Monday night. It was the longest make in a playoff game since … Jamal Murray made a 55-footer in 2024.

— Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell has scored 30 or more points in each of his last three playoff games, going back to last season. That’s the longest-active streak among players in these playoffs.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba