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Recap: Spurs advance, 76ers, Knicks win

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The San Antonio Spurs advanced to the conference semifinals by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night.

That’s it for Tuesday night!

We’re bringing you 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, recaps and highlights from tonight’s action.

The 76ers defeated the Celtics 113-97, dominating the second half behind Joel Embiid (33 pts) to force Game 6 in Philadelphia on Thursday.

The Knicks took a 3-2 series lead by beating the Hawks 126-97, led by Jalen Brunson (39 pts, 8 ast).

In the nightcap, the Spurs closed out the Trail Blazers 114-95, winning their first Playoff series since 2017. They’ll face the winner of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series in the conference semifinals.

What we know after Tuesday’s games:

  • The Knicks will look to close out the Hawks on Thursday (7 ET, ESPN).
  • The 76ers will start right after, looking to force a seventh game against the Celtics. (8 ET, NBC Sports Network / Peacock).
  • Postgame Pressers:

APRIL 29, 2026 / 1:02 ET

Tuesday’s results

Victor Wembanyama (17 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast, 6 blk) is your top performer of the night.

APRIL 29, 2026 / 12:58 ET

One time for Victor Wembanyama

APRIL 29, 2026 / 12:43 ET

Postgame Presser: Trail Blazers-Spurs

APRIL 29, 2026 / 12:26 ET

Spurs advance to conference semifinals

San Antonio takes it 114-95, defeating Portland 4-1 to win their first Playoff series since 2017.

Victor Wembanyama (17 pts on 5-of-7 shooting, 14 reb, 6 blk) controlled the paint late and joined five of his teammates in double figures.

De’Aaron Fox (21 pts) led the team in scoring, putting up 13 in the fourth quarter to help ice the game.

Wemby is the first player with 10+ rebounds and 6+ blocks in consecutive Playoff games since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1997.

“It’s like no one else,” Fox said of Wembanyama.

The Spurs led by as many as 28 in the contest, then ended the night with their celebratory drum ritual.

They’ll face the winner of the Nuggets-Timberwolves series in the conference semis.

APRIL 29, 2026 / 12:17 ET

Spurs regain command

108-92 with 2:03 to go.

Victor Wembanyama (17 pts, 14 reb, 6 blk) just delivered a thunderous swat, sending a Jerami Grant shot into the crowd, then rejected a dunk attempt from Toumani Camara.

“He’s just wiping things out,” said Doris Burke. “I would not venture into the paint. I don’t think I’d venture into the zip code.”

APRIL 29, 2026 / 12:03 ET

Trail Blazers within striking distance

95-82 San Antonio with 6:30 to go in the fourth quarter, as the Blazers start the period on a 19-9 run.

Robert Williams III (11 pts, 7 reb) and Sidy Cissoko (11 pts, 3 stl) have given Portland a lift off the bench.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 11:37 ET

A serenade for Wemby

“M-V-P! M-V-P!” chants are raining down at Frost Bank Center for Victor Wembanyama (12 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 4 blk).

I mean, what big man does this?

The Spurs are cruising, up 86-65 with 1:03 to go in the third quarter.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 11:21 ET

Spurs in control

76-55 San Antonio with 5:31 to go in the third quarter, as the Spurs and Blazers play even in the third quarter.

Stephon Castle (15 pts) and Dylan Harper (12 pts) have joined Julian Champagnie (16 pts) in double figures, as the entire Spurs starting lineup runs a +10 mark or better.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 11:17 ET

Postgame Presser: Hawks-Knicks

APRIL 28, 2026 / 11:03 ET

One time for Jalen Brunson

APRIL 28, 2026 / 10:57 ET

Spurs up 65-45 at the break

San Antonio’s shooting 66.7% so far, led by Julian Champagnie (14 pts, 4-of-5 3PA), and holding Portland to 36.7% from the field.

The Spurs led by as many as 28 in the first half.

Deni Avdija (16 pts) is the top scorer for the Trail Blazers.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 10:48 ET

New York wins pivotal Game 5

The Knicks beat the Hawks 126-97, leading by as many as 32 points in front of their fans at Madison Square Garden.

Jalen Brunson (39 pts, 8 ast, 1 turnover) was dominant, keying the Knicks to a 57% shooting night from the field and a 60-42 advantage in points in the paint.

“We’ve got to be ready for the next game,” said Brunson. “The right mindset — this (game) is over with.”

The Hawks had five scorers in double figures, led by Jalen Johnson (18 pts). This is the second time they’ve been held under 100 points in back-to-back games this season.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 10:36 ET

Knicks rolling in MSG

Watch the Captain go to work. The Knicks have been in firm control throughout the second half.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 10:17 ET

Spurs lead 36-26 after one

Julian Champagne (11 pts) leads San Antonio in scoring, as the Trail Blazers controlled the interior, but couldn’t find their long-range shooting stroke in the first.

The Spurs are 5-of-12 (41.7%) from deep, while the Blazers are 2-of-13 (15.4%).

APRIL 28, 2026 / 10:05 ET

One time for Joel Embiid

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:55 ET

Postgame Presser: 76ers-Celtics

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:47 ET

Brunson sparking as Knicks maintain lead

73-57 Knicks with 7:30 to go in the third quarter, as Jalen Brunson (20 pts) pushes his scoring total.

He’s handily outplayed CJ McCollum, who has four points on 2-of-7 shooting.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:40 ET

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs can close out the Trail Blazers in the nightcap of tonight’s action on ESPN.

Portland:

  • PG Scoot Henderson
    • The No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was held scoreless in Game 4. He dropped 31 points in the Trail Blazers’ sole win in the series in Game 2.
  • SG Jrue Holiday
    • The 17-year veteran is 58-43 all-time in the NBA Playoffs. He’s averaging 18.5 ppg, 5.3 reb and 7.3 ast in this series, showing his longevity.
  • SF Deni Avdija
    • Avdija has shot 36 of the Trail Blazers’ 81 FTA in this series, providing consistent downhill pressure on his way to 22.3 ppg.
  • PF Toumani Camara
    • The Belgian wing has only cracked double-figures once in this series — 10 points in Game 3. That’s well below his season average of 13.4 ppg.
  • C Donovan Clingan
    • The former UConn center is shooting just 28.4% from the field so far this series, as he deals with the length of Victor Wembanyama.

San Antonio:

  • PG Stephon Castle
    • Clingan’s former point guard with UConn went off in Game 3 without Victor Wembanyama, dropping 33 points. His two-way impact can rival the best in the league.
  • SG De’Aaron Fox
    • Fox is playoff-tested, having gone up against the Warriors in a seven-game classic in 2023, averaging 27.4 ppg in the series. He’s putting up 20.0 ppg for the Spurs so far this series.
  • SF Devin Vassell
    • Vassell is shooting just 33.3% from 3-point range so far this series, but continues to drop 13.2 ppg.
  • PF Julian Champagnie
    • Champagnie has made up for that — he’s knocking down 57.1% of his 3-pointers in this series.
  • C Victor Wembanyama
    • The Alien returned with a bang in Game 4, putting up 27 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks. He’s looked very comfortable in Playoff action.

Watch Dylan Harper off the Spurs bench — he and Stephon Castle joined Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as the only duos to score 25+ points while 21 years of age or younger in Game 3.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:34 ET

Sixers win, force Game 6

We’re headed back to Philadelphia, as the Sixers rose up in the second half to defeat the Celtics 113-97.

Joel Embiid (33 pts) dominated the Celtics’ front line, while Tyrese Maxey (25 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) and Paul George (18 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, team-high +19) filled in the gaps.

Quentin Grimes (18 pts, 4 3PM) added firepower in 24:04 off the Sixers’ bench.

Jayson Tatum (24 pts, 16 reb) starred for the Celtics, while Jaylen Brown (24 pts) contributed.

But Payton Pritchard (12 pts) was the only other player to reach double figures, as the team shot just 28.2% from 3-point range.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:27 ET

Philly stepping on the gas

111-96 Sixers with 2:16 to go in the fourth quarter, as they fought to extend their season.

They’ve earned a 61-39 advantage in the second half.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:25 ET

Knicks lead at the half

64-48 New York at the break, although the Hawks closed the half on a 11-5 run to cut into the advantage.

The Knicks have built a 40-22 gap in points in the paint, leading by as many as 22 during the contest.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:22 ET

Sixers in control

104-94 Philadelphia with 4:04 to go, as the Sixers’ physicality and shooting takes control of the ballgame.

Joel Embiid (33 pts) has been dominant in the second half, as has the Philly defense. Paul George and Quentin Grimes have dogged Jaylen Brown, while VJ Edgecombe is making Jayson Tatum work.

They’re 6-of-11 from the field in the fourth, while Boston is 3-of-17.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:14 ET

Every possession matters in Boston right now

You can feel the tension in the air in TD Garden, as the Sixers seek to keep their season alive and force a Game 6 in Philly.

100-94 Sixers on another Quentin Grimes (18 pts on 5-of-7 shooting) 3-pointer — their largest lead of the night.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:12 ET

Knicks open up big lead

59-37 Knicks with 3:08 to go in the second quarter.

New York’s had their shooting touch all night, knocking down 60.5% of their shots.

Jalen Brunson (14 pts, 4 ast) and Karl-Anthony Towns (14 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast) are sparking the Knicks offense.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:10 ET

‘This is vintage Embiid right now’

Mike Breen said, as Joel Embiid (29 pts) pulled up for a floater in the lane over Neemias Queta.

“He is catching the ball where he wants to and not bailing out this Celtics defense,” said Tim Legler.

Sam Hauser (8 pts) has hit back-to-back 3-pointers to keep Boston in reach.

94-92 Sixers with 7:33 to go in the fourth quarter.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 9:02 ET

Sixers take the lead

88-86 Sixers with 10:54 to go in the fourth quarter.

Philly’s found the stroke from deep, going 8-for-12 from 3-point range to bring their total to 13-for-36 (36.1%) for the night.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:49 ET

Sixers, Celtics trading big shots

Joel Embiid (25 pts) has been unstoppable, leading the 76ers on a run.

Jayson Tatum (18 pts, 11 reb), Tyrese Maxey (16 pts, 5 reb) and Payton Pritchard (12 pts, 6 ast) have just traded 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions.

Fans in the TD Garden are living and dying with every basket right now, as Philly’s cut the lead to 74-70 with 4:17 to go in the third quarter.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:44 ET

Mitch Rob responds with a poster

After Jonathan Kuminga delivered an alley-oop slam, Mitchell Robinson (6 pts, 3 reb) just posterized him on an offensive rebound. It’s a 65.6 on the Dunk Score scale.

33-22 Knicks with 33.3 seconds to go in the first.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:41 ET

Sixers cut it to five

65-60 Boston with 7:37 to go in the third, as Joel Embiid (21 pts, 6 ast) continues to attack.

He got Nikola Vučević retreating in the lane, then rose up for a patented free throw line jumper.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:36 ET

Kuminga rises up, but Knicks lead

27-20 Knicks with 2:11 to go in the first quarter, but Jonathan Kuminga (4 pts) just threw down an absolute stunner of a slam.

It’s a 78.0 on the Dunk Score scale.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:27 ET

Nick Nurse urges team to keep firing

“We’ve got to start knocking those down,” said Nurse, according to ESPN’s Lisa Salters.

Philly’s 5-of-20 from 3-point range as the second half begins.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:17 ET

Dyson Daniels hot early

The Aussie has six of the Hawks first eight points on 3-of-3 shooting, as the Hawks turn up the defensive pressure against the Knicks.

So far, New York’s handled it well, taking a 11-8 lead with 8:08 to go in the first quarter.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:10 ET

Celtics up 57-50 at the half

Boston closes on a 7-2 run to take the lead into the break. They’re up to 51.1% FG shooting on the night, while Philly’s at 42.5%.

Payton Pritchard (9 pts, 6 ast) is +16 on the game so far. His quickness and shooting ability have given the Sixers’ problems, allowing Boston’s spaced, whirring offense to find room against Nick Nurse’s lane-packing style of defense.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 8:06 ET

Embiid making his presence felt

Joel Embiid (13 pts, 5 ast) just hit a soft fadeaway in the lane over Neemias Queta (6 pts, 9 reb).

On the next possession, he drew Derrick White in transition, posted him up, then dished it to Tyrese Maxey (13 pts) for a 3-pointer when Jayson Tatum (14 pts, 8 reb) took an extra step towards him.

50-48 Sixers with 2:10 to go in the half.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 7:58 ET

Physicality picking up

Both teams are scrapping with 4:20 to go in the second quarter, as the 76ers have cut the lead to 45-41.

In the last few possessions, Sam Hauser had the ball stripped in the lane, Tyrese Maxey drew a foul, Kelly Oubre Jr. knocked the ball away from Jaylen Brown and earned a jump ball as they dove in the backcourt. Andre Drummond then showed his quickness to stone Brown on the drive.

You can feel the intensity picking up in Boston.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 7:51 ET

Grimes rallies the Sixers

A four-point play opportunity for Quentin Grimes (3 pts, 1 reb) can staunch the bleeding for the Sixers, who are down 42-34 with 6:51 to go in the second period.

Boston’s shooting is starting to strain the Sixers — after starting 1-of-10, they’re 2-of-4 this quarter.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 7:45 ET

Boston opens up a lead

35-26 Celtics with 8:52 to go in the second quarter, as Payton Pritchard (7 pts, 4 ast) drops five quick points in the period.

Boston is battling Joel Embiid (7 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast), who took Luka Garza to the rim in the post a few possessions ago, throwing double-teams at the big man.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 7:36 ET

Celtics lead 23-21 after one

Tyrese Maxey (8 pts) leads Philly in scoring, while Jaylen Brown (6 pts) is tops for Boston.

Neither team has found the touch from 3-point range, with the Celtics 1-of-10 (10%) and the 76ers 3-of-13 (23.1%).

APRIL 28, 2026 / 7:30 ET

Celtics controlling the glass early

Jayson Tatum (4 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast) and Neemias Queta (4 pts, 8 reb) have helped the Celtics to a 16-9 advantage on the glass with just over two minutes remaining in the first, but the Sixers are hanging close at 16-15.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 6:30 ET

CJ McCollum and the Atlanta Hawks are back in Madison Square Garden tonight on NBC and Peacock with their series against the New York Knicks tied 2-2.

Atlanta:

  • PG CJ McCollum
    • McCollum was held to 17 points after earning the respect of the Madison Square Garden crowd in Game 2, but it’s been a great series for him. He’s averaging his highest PPG (24.5) since helping take the Trail Blazers to the Western Conference Finals in 2018-19 (24.7).
  • SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker
    • Alexander-Walker hasn’t had his breakout game yet in this series, scoring 13.8 ppg, below his season average of 20.8.
  • SF Dyson Daniels
    • The defensive dynamo from Australia has a series of tough matchups in this series. Can he out-hustle Josh Hart, OG Anunoby or Mikal Bridges?
  • PF Jalen Johnson
    • Johnson was held to 14 points on 33.3% FG shooting in Game 4. The Hawks were 4-7 when he scored 14 or fewer this season.
  • C Onyeka Okongwu
    • The sixth-year center from USC is shooting 50% on four 3PA per game this series. Watch his long-range attempts.

New York:

  • PG Jalen Brunson
    • Will the Hawks look to put a bigger defender on Brunson? Jonathan Kuminga has held him to four points on 1-of-5 shooting on 46 possessions so far this series.
  • SG Josh Hart
    • Hart is shooting just 13.3% from 3-point range this series.
  • SF Mikal Bridges
    • Bridges has seen his minutes decrease in the last two games, playing just 40 over Games 3 and 4, with Miles McBride getting most of the time.
  • PF OG Anunoby
    • The Anunoby-Johnson matchup is crucial in this series. The wing from Indiana has defended Johnson throughout, and outplayed him to the tune of 22 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4.
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns
    • Towns is averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds against Atlanta, shooting 57/50/92 from the field. He leads the Knicks at +46 in this series.

Watch Miles McBride off the Knicks bench — he can help slow down CJ McCollum while adding 3-point shooting.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 6:00 ET

Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers will look to keep their season alive in Boston against the Celtics to start tonight’s action on ESPN.

Philadelphia:

  • PG Tyrese Maxey
    • The 76ers’ main scorer has to adjust with Joel Embiid back.
  • SG VJ Edgecombe
    • The rookie out of Baylor has been a bellwether for Philly this series. If he’s hot, they’re dangerous. 
  • SF Kelly Oubre Jr.
    • The swingman is always a thorn in the side of the Celtics.
  • PF Paul George
    • Can the future Hall of Famer outplay Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown with the Sixers’ season on the line?
  • C Joel Embiid
    • Embiid is 3-13 against the Celtics in his Playoff career.

Boston:

  • PG Derrick White
    • White is always a steadying influence for Boston. Can he help contain Tyrese Maxey while finding offensive opportunities?
  • SG Jaylen Brown
    • Brown leads the Celtics in free throws attempted (29) during this series. His steady downhill pressure is key.
  • SF Sam Hauser
    • Hauser is shooting 45.5% from 3-point range this series. He can change a game quickly from deep.
  • PF Jayson Tatum
    • Tatum is 15-5 against the 76ers in his Playoffs career.
  •  C Neemias Queta:
    • Queta has faced foul trouble in each of the last two games. With Joel Embiid back, Boston will also look to Nikola Vučević to battle in the post.

Keep an eye on Payton Pritchard off the Celtics’ bench. The sixth-year guard out of Oregon is second on the team in plus-minus this series (+44, behind Tatum’s +48).

APRIL 28, 2026 / 5:45 ET

Tuesday’s injury report

Joel Embiid is probable for the 76ers, while Tyrese Maxey is available.

Jock Landale is out for the Hawks.

Jonathan Isaac has been upgraded to doubtful for tomorrow’s Magic-Pistons Game 5.

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