2026 could have the wildest first round in NBA playoff history

The 2026 NBA playoffs have been quite entertaining thus far, with six of the eight first-round series going to at least a Game 6. Several teams are trying to pull off big comebacks, with the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons all trying to rally from 3-1 deficits, while the Houston Rockets attempt to mount a historic 3-0 comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers.

It’s certainly been an entertaining first round for NBA fans, despite the fact that the league’s playoff format has come under criticism in recent years, with some opining that the league has let too many teams into the postseason to begin with, resulting in uncompetitive first rounds in years past, and others pointing out that most other sports leagues have their first rounds as a best of five, not seven, as the NBA does.

However, those concerns have certainly been quelled so far this year, with only the San Antonio Spurs and reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder having advanced from their series so far. It should perhaps come as no surprise, considering that the Thunder and Spurs finished the 2025-26 regular season with the two best records in the NBA.

In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic are hoping to avoid blowing 3-1 leads, each having squandered opportunities to win their series in Game 5 earlier this week. Meanwhile, out West, the Denver Nuggets are hoping to take advantage of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ injury crisis and mount a 3-1 comeback of their own, currently trailing 3-2 heading into Game 6, while the Rockets have reeled off two straight wins after going down 3-0 against the Lakers.

NBA fans could be in for a wild weekend as these series head toward their epic conclusions.

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