Full Breakdown

Opening Night of the 2026 NBA Conference Semifinals Delivers Historic Blowouts

5/6/2026, 2:35:43 AM

Opening Night Highlights

On May 4-5, 2026, the Conference Semifinals opened with four Game 1 contests. The New York Knicks routed the Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 at Madison Square Garden; Jalen Brunson scored 35 points on 12-for-18 shooting. The Minnesota Timberwolves edged the San Antonio Spurs 104-102 at Frost Bank Center, with Victor Wembanyama posting a playoff-record 12 blocks. The Los Angeles Lakers faced the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Detroit Pistons hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers (scores not detailed).

Knicks: 137 points (second-most ever allowed by the 76ers in a playoff game), 74-51 halftime lead, 74.4% effective field-goal percentage (third-highest single-game playoff mark). 76ers: 98 points, 41% field-goal shooting, 37% from three; Joel Embiid 14 points on 3-for-11. Timberwolves: 104 points; Spurs: 102 points; Wembanyama’s 12 blocks set a new record since the play-by-play era (1973-74).

Knicks coach Mike Brown praised concept execution: “It’s a lot of fun when you have concepts on either end of the floor, and the guys are trying to embrace those concepts at the highest level.” (source 12)

76ers coach Nick Nurse admitted defensive lapses: “We got off to a decent start, defensively… We had breakdowns tonight.” (source 2)

Timberwolves forward Julius Randle highlighted Anthony Edwards’ return: “Just his ability to bounce back and give us whatever he had out there was huge.” (source 24)

Timberwolves coach Chris Finch noted adjustments: “A little bit better spacing, a little bit better off-ball movement… He had a couple uncalled goaltendings, too.” (source 26)

Nurse called the 76ers’ effort “the worst defensive game of the season,” citing poor shot contests and ball-guarding. (source 4)

Media observers criticized the overlapping second-round broadcast schedule, warning of fan inconvenience and possible viewership decline. (source 31)

“We’re playing well, but it doesn’t mean anything if we can’t find a way to get three more wins,” — Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks center

“Just his ability to bounce back and give us whatever he had out there was huge,” — Julius Randle, Timberwolves forward

“A little bit better spacing, a little bit better off-ball movement. … He had a couple uncalled goaltendings, too. Those are valuable points we’d like to have back.” — Chris Finch, Timberwolves head coach

Game 2 of the Knicks-76ers series is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. The Timberwolves host the Spurs for Game 2, likely adjusting to Wembanyama’s rim protection. The Lakers-Thunder and Pistons-Cavaliers series continue on May 6-7, with coverage on NBC and Peacock.