By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Oklahoma City Thunder seized a commanding 2-0 series lead in the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, pulling away in the second half to secure a 120–107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Before the opening tip, Paycom Center celebrated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who formally received the Jerry West Trophy after being named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old combo guard backed up the honors by leading all scorers with 37 points, but European depth helped break the game open. German starter Isaiah Hartenstein logged a versatile line of nine points, ten rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal, while Belgian Ajay Mitchell provided a major spark off the bench with 14 points, five assists, and five rebounds. Serbian Nikola Topic did not see action in the contest.
However, Jalen Williams exited in the third quarter after sustaining an apparent left hamstring injury. Meanwhile, the 23-year-old combo guard of the Thunder, Mitchell, finished fifth in the Kia Sixth Man of the Year voting, an award won by Keldon Johnson. Also, Georgia’s Sandro Mamukelashvili of the Toronto Raptors ranked tenth.
At Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Pistons rediscovered the defensive identity that earned them the Eastern Conference’s top seed, stifling the Orlando Magic in a 98–83 win to level their series at 1-1. After a sluggish Game 1 in which they never held a lead, the Pistons took control on the very first possession and withstood a competitive first half, with the teams tied at 46 at the break.
The visitors struggled to find their rhythm despite 12 points, seven rebounds, and four steals from German starter Franz Wagner. The bench offered limited relief, as German forward Tristan da Silva and Georgian center Goga Bitadze contributed just three points each, with German veteran Moritz Wagner and French Noah Penda remaining scoreless in the loss.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 1-1 (101-112, 98-83)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 2-0 (126-113, 115-105)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 1-1 (113-102, 106-107)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 1-1 (123-91, 97-111)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 2-0 (119-84, 120-107)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 2-0 (107-98, 101-94)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1 (126-115, 114-119)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 1-1 (111-98, 103-106)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions