Thunder sweep Suns and advance to semifinals, Pistons on brink
The Thunder are the first franchise to advance to the next round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets forced Game 6 against the Timberwolves.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, during the 2025-2026 NBA season. File image
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the first franchise to secure a spot in the semifinals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs by cruising past the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
With the latest win (122-131) at Phoenix's PHX Arena, the reigning NBA champions completed the sweep (4-0) in their first postseason playoff series.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points in this latest matchup against the Suns. The Thunder star is averaging 34.7 points in these Playoffs.
"We just went out there ready," Gilgeous-Alexander, season MVP candidate, said after the game. "We love playing basketball, we're a group full of great guys having fun together."
In Game 4 against the Suns, Isaiah Hartenstein (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Chet Holmgren (24 points and 12 rebounds) also stood out, recording a double-double each.
Devin Booker was the best performer for the home team, with 24 points.
In the next round, the Thunder will face the winner of the playoffs between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trouble for Detroit; Nuggets breathe
The Detroit Pistons, who finished the regular season atop the Eastern Conference standings, are one loss away from being eliminated by the Orlando Magic in the Playoffs.
In Game 4 of the series, the Michigan franchise fell (94-88) at the Kia Center in Florida. The Magic dominate the playoffs with a 3-1 overall.
The 25 points scored by Cade Cunningham were insufficient. Desmond Bane was the Magic's star, with 22 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. figured a double-double (12 points and 11 rebounds).
Elsewhere, the Denver Nuggets forced Game 6 by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves (125-113) at Ball Arena in Colorado.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets to the win with a triple-double (27 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists). The Timberwolves are ahead in the playoffs at 3-2 overall.
Here's how the Playoffs are going
Philadelphia 76ers 1-3 Boston CelticsAtlanta Hawks 2-2 New York KnicksOrlando Magic 3-1 Detroit PistonsToronto Raptors 2-2 Cleveland CavaliersWestern Conference:
Portland Trail Blazers 1-3 San Antonio SpursMinesotta Timberwolves 3-2 Denver NuggetsHouston Rockets 1-3 Los Angeles LakersPhoenix Suns 0-4 Oklahoma City Thunder(in bold, the franchises qualified for the semifinals).
🛠 Do you think there is an error in this article?
Recommendations
LATEST
