Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are hosting the 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on NBC and Peacock.
Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Monday’s action.
We’re into the Conference Semfinals, with the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks renewing their longtime rivalry (8 ET), followed by Anthony Edwards’ return against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (9:30 ET).
What we know about Monday’s games:
- Teams that win Game 1 in the Conference Semifinals go on to win 73.6% of the time in the NBA Playoffs.
10:50 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Spurs, Timberwolves tied at 45 at the half
Dylan Harper (11 pts) leads all scorers, while Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Naz Reid each have 7 points to lead the Wolves.
It’s been a defensive battle so far — Minnesota’s shooting 41.7% from the field, while San Antonio’s at 38.1%.
10:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026
6 blocks for Victor Wembanyama
Wemby (2 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 6 blk) and Rudy Gobert (6 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk) are battling in the paint as the Timberwolves and Spurs go back-and-forth on NBC and Peacock.
The game’s seen nine lead changes and five ties so far, with both teams vying to establish an advantage.
10:19 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Timberwolves, Spurs dueling
29-all with 8:48 to go in the second quarter in San Antonio.
Stephon Castle (10 pts) leads all scorers, while Anthony Edwards (7 pts on 3-of-4 shooting) looks comfortable in his first game back from injury.
9:48 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Timberwolves and Spurs underway
Starting off with a bang on NBC and Peacock, as the two best French centers of the generation square off.
9:35 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Starting Lineups: Timberwolves-Spurs, Game 1
Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert will square off as the Spurs and Timberwolves open their 2026 Western Conference Semifinal series on NBC and Peacock.
Minnesota:
- PG Mike Conley
- The 19-year veteran is no stranger to playing the Spurs in the Playoffs, facing them three times with the Grit ‘N Grind Grizzlies, including eliminating them in 2011.
- SG Terrance Shannon Jr.
- Shannon Jr. has shown hustle and offensive spark in limited minutes, including 24 points in the Timberwolves’ series-clinching Game 6 win over the Nuggets.
- SF Jaden McDaniels
- McDaniels locked down Jamal Murray in the first round, holding him to 31.9% shooting over 227 possessions.
- PF Julius Randle
- Randle was held to 18.0 ppg against the Spurs this season. Minnesota will likely need more from him with Anthony Edwards returning from injury.
- C Rudy Gobert
- Gobert has known Victor Wembanyama since he was 13 years old, earning a silver medal with Wemby at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
San Antonio:
- PG Stephon Castle
- Castle’s become a crucial initiator, scorer and defender in his second season. He should have a strong series against the Timberwolves’ depleted backcourt, although Rudy Gobert will be a stifling obstacle in the paint.
- SG De’Aaron Fox
- Fox will also have to find his way past the Timberwolves’ top rim protector. He’s the main isolation scorer for San Antonio, non-Wemby division, putting up a team-leading 59.5% of his points without an assist.
- SF Devin Vassel
- Vassel is scoring 39.1% of his points from midrange during the Playoffs — by far the most in the league.
- PF Julian Champagnie
- The St. John’s product has become a stalwart for the Spurs, playing in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons. Will he be able to handle Julius Randle in this series?
- C Victor Wembanyama
- He’s the Alien. He’s blocking 4.0 shots per game in the Playoffs — no one else is over 2.3.
9:25 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Blazing on Broadway
Jalen Brunson (27 pts) scored the last 11 points for the Knicks, who take a 74-53 lead into the break.
“Just being aggressive moving the ball, and then being aggressive, getting in the paint,” said OG Anunoby (13 pts) of the Knicks 32-16 advantage in point in the paint.
Tyrese Maxey (13 pts) is one of four double-digit scorers for the Sixers.
New York played 11 players in the first half, demonstrating their depth.
9:14 ET / MAY 4, 2026
New York building a lead
55-39 with 3:46 to go in the half, as Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) helps the Knicks build a 24-8 advantage in points in the paint.
OG Anunoby (13 pts on 5-of-6 shooting) has gotten loose in the period as well.
8:55 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Knicks lead 33-25 after one
New York has a 12-2 advantage in points in the paint early, as the Knicks take control on their home floor in Madison Square Garden.
8:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Brunson off to a hot start
Jalen Brunson (14 pts, 6-of-7 shooting) is dictating the offense early, as the Knicks lead 21-19 with 3:39 to go in the first quarter. He’s gone at Paul George and Quentin Grimes in recent possessions.
7:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Starting Lineup: 76ers-Knicks, Game 1
Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey will lead the Knicks and 76ers into their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, starting tonight at 8 ET on NBC and Peacock.
Philadelphia
- PG Tyrese Maxey
- Who will guard Tyrese Maxey? Mikal Bridges would seem like the best bet. In the regular season, Bridges logged 18:48 against Maxey — second-most in the Association — giving up 20 points on 10-of-20 shooting.
- SG VJ Edgecombe
- Edgecombe was a crucial swing factor in the Sixers’ wins over the Celtics. He was 0-for-16 in their three losses and 15-of-43 (45.4%) in their wins.
- SF Paul George
- The Anunoby-Paul George matchup will be fascinating to watch. George has outscored Anunoby 20.5 to 13.0 in their previous games, holding an 8-5 record. Can OG swing it on the downside of George’s career?
- PF Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Oubre Jr. is always an irritant, and a talented scorer on the right night. He and Josh Hart could battle to make energy plays in this series.
- C Joel Embiid
- Embiid played inspired basketball against the Celtics, culminating in 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in Game 7. Can he keep up his form against the formidable Knicks?
New York:
- PG Jalen Brunson
- Who will guard Jalen Brunson? VJ Edgecombe, who shut down Derrick White in the second half of the Sixers’ Game 7 victory over the Celtics, has the size, strength, activity level and length to disrupt the Knicks’ captain.
- SG Josh Hart
- In wins this season, Hart averaged 13.0 ppg, 7.8 reb and 5.0 ast. In losses, 10.0 ppg, 6.6 reb and 4.4 ast.
- SF Mikal Bridges
- A native of Philadelphia, Bridges was drafted by the 76ers in 2018 before dealt to the Phoenix Suns. Six years later, he suits up against his hometown squad.
- PF OG Anunoby
- Anunoby shot 56.7% from 3-point range in the Knicks’ series against the Atlanta Hawks on his way to 21.1 ppg.
- C Karl-Anthony Towns
- Two of the games’ best centers go head-to-head in this series, as Towns faces Joel Embiid. They’ve been physical in past matchups. Will sparks fly tonight?
7:00 ET / MAY 4, 2026
Monday’s injury report
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are available for the 76ers, while Jeremy Sochan is available for the Knicks.
Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosumu are out for the Timberwolves, while Anthony Edwards is available.
