The 2026 NBA Playoffs delivered one of the most dramatic championship runs in recent memory. The New York Knicks ended a 53-year title drought, overcoming double-digit deficits in all four of their Finals victories . From the first round to the Finals, the bracket produced memorable series and historic performances.
This guide covers the complete 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket, including all series results, key highlights, and the Knicks’ path to glory.
So, let’s dive in.
H2: Eastern Conference Playoffs
First Round
MatchupResult(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando MagicPistons win 4-3 (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers76ers win 4-3 (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta HawksKnicks win 4-2 (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto RaptorsCavaliers win 4-3
The first round featured several competitive series, with the Pistons and Cavaliers both needing seven games to advance. The 76ers pulled off an upset over the higher-seeded Celtics, while the Knicks dispatched the Hawks in six games .
Conference Semifinals
MatchupResult(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Cleveland CavaliersCavaliers win 4-3 (3) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ersKnicks win 4-0
The Cavaliers outlasted the Pistons in another seven-game thriller, while the Knicks dominated the 76ers in a sweep. New York’s victories included a 137-98 blowout in Game 1 and a 144-114 victory in Game 4 .
Conference Finals
MatchupResult(3) New York Knicks vs. (4) Cleveland CavaliersKnicks win 4-0
The Knicks swept the Cavaliers to reach their first NBA Finals since 1999 . New York won all four games, capping the series with a 130-93 victory in Game 4 .
H2: Western Conference Playoffs
First Round
MatchupResult(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Phoenix SunsThunder win 4-0 (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Portland Trail BlazersSpurs win 4-1 (3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota TimberwolvesTimberwolves win 4-2 (4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston RocketsLakers win 4-2
The Thunder and Spurs advanced easily, while the Timberwolves pulled off a notable upset over the Nuggets. The Lakers overcame the Rockets in six games .
Conference Semifinals
MatchupResult(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Los Angeles LakersThunder win 4-0 (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Minnesota TimberwolvesSpurs win 4-2
The Thunder swept the Lakers, while the Spurs handled the Timberwolves in six games .
Conference Finals
MatchupResult(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (2) San Antonio SpursSpurs win 4-3
The Spurs outlasted the defending champion Thunder in a thrilling seven-game series . San Antonio won Game 7 111-103 after taking Game 6 118-91 to force the decisive matchup . The series opened with a double-overtime Game 1 won by the Spurs 122-115 .
H2: NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Spurs
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 to win their first NBA championship since 1973 .
Game-by-Game Results
GameDateResultKey MomentGame 1June 3Knicks 105, Spurs 95Knicks take Game 1 in San Antonio Game 2June 5Knicks 105, Spurs 104One-point thriller Game 3June 8Spurs 115, Knicks 111Spurs win in New York Game 4June 10Knicks 107, Spurs 106Historic 29-point comeback Game 5June 13Knicks 94, Spurs 90Knicks clinch title
Game 4: The Historic Comeback
Game 4 featured the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. The Knicks trailed by 27 points at halftime and by 29 points overall before rallying to win 107-106 on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left .
Before this game, teams trailing by at least 17 points in the final nine minutes of an NBA Finals game had never come back to win (0-96 record) . The Knicks’ victory stands as one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history.
Game 5: Brunson’s Masterpiece
Jalen Brunson scored 45 points in Game 5, setting a Knicks record for points in a Finals game. The previous record was 38 by Willis Reed in Game 3 of the 1970 Finals .
The Knicks trailed by 16 in the second quarter and were down by 10 early in the fourth before Brunson led the comeback. He scored 13 straight points for New York in the fourth quarter, including three free throws that gave the Knicks their first lead since the opening minutes .
Series Notes and Records
- The Knicks improved to 4-0 in closeout opportunities this season, winning them all on the road
- Brunson became the first Knick to record three 30-point games in a single NBA Finals series
- The Spurs’ 14 first-half three-pointers in Game 4 set an NBA Finals record
- This was the second NBA Finals series with multiple one-point games since 1975
H2: 2026 NBA Playoffs Schedule
RoundStart DatePlay-In TournamentApril 15-18 First RoundApril 18 Conference SemifinalsMay 4 Conference FinalsMay 19 NBA FinalsJune 3-13
The 2026 playoffs marked a significant shift in broadcast distribution, with games split across ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video, though the NBA Finals remained on ABC .
H2: FAQs About the 2026 NBA Playoffs
Who won the 2026 NBA championship?
The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the Finals .
Who won Finals MVP?
Jalen Brunson was named Finals Most Valuable Player after scoring 45 points in the clinching Game 5 and leading the Knicks throughout the series .
What was the biggest comeback in Finals history?
The Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history .
Who eliminated the defending champion Thunder?
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 in the Western Conference Finals .
How many teams made the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
Sixteen teams qualified for the playoffs—eight from each conference .
When did the 2026 NBA Playoffs start?
The Play-In Tournament began April 15, and the First Round started April 18 .
Conclusion: The Knicks’ Historic Run
The 2026 NBA Playoffs delivered unforgettable moments. The New York Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought with a dramatic run that included sweeping the 76ers, dominating the Cavaliers in the conference finals, and overcoming double-digit deficits in all four Finals victories .
Jalen Brunson emerged as a playoff legend, setting franchise records and earning Finals MVP honors . The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama and rookie Dylan Harper, showed they have a bright future despite falling short .
The 2026 playoffs will be remembered for the Knicks’ resilience, the historic Game 4 comeback, and the end of one of the longest active title droughts in American sports .
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