2026 NBA Playoffs Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, Conference Semifinals | Lakers-Thunder in the Nightcap
Check out the best highlights, stats and observations from Tuesday's action in the 2026 NBA Playoff Conference Semifinals. Ben Lambert, for NBA.com | Updated on May 6, 2026 1:56 AM
Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western 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 Tuesday’s action.
Cade Cunningham (23 pts, 7 ast) and the Pistons held off a late Cavaliers rally to take Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series 111-101, snapping a 12-game losing streak to Cleveland. Now, the Lakers and Thunder are getting going in the Western Conference Semifinals (8:30 ET, Peacock / NBC).
Last night’s live blog: Knicks, Wolves win as Wemby sets all-time single game Playoff block record
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What we know about Tuesday’s games: Teams that win Game 1 in the Conference Semifinals go on to win 73.6% of the time in the NBA Playoffs.
9:52 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Postgame Presser: Cavaliers-Pistons
LIVE: Cavs/Pistons Game 1 Postgame Presser
NBA Playoffs presented by @Google
https://t.co/xe5gpb9r03 — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
9:47 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Thunder up 61-53 at the half
Chet Holmgren (18 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk) has been huge so far for Oklahoma City, as they take control against the Lakers. SGA's eyes LIT UP when he saw an open Chet 👀 Thunder lead by 8 at the break in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/rhJXKEERbg — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
The Thunder are 7-of-13 (53.8%) from 3-point range so far, while the Lakers are 5-of-15 (33.3%).
9:36 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Pistons win 111-101
Cade Cunningham (23 pts, 7 ast) helped the Pistons snap a 12-game losing streak to the Cavaliers, earning them a Game 1 victory. “It was a great team win. Lot of effort from everybody… They’re a tough team, so we knew it was going to be a battle coming in,” said Cunningham. “We’ve got a great culture going. It’s one win, and we’ve got to come back and do it again.”
9:31 ET / MAY 5, 2026
The Cade-Duren pick and roll in control
Detroit’s gone to its bread and butter down the stretch, allowing them to remain in command even after Cleveland tied the game at 93 with 5:28 to go. DUREN DUNK. DUREN DUNK. DUREN DUNK. Pistons up 7 with under 2 to play in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/NCrMjAy4z7 — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
9:16 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Cavs back in it
93-88 with 6:32 to go in the fourth quarter, as James Harden (13 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast) moves towards a triple-double. Harden’s scored or assisted on the last six points for Cleveland.
9:08 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Duncan Robinson gets the crowd roaring
Five straight points for the sharpshooter puts the Pistons up 93-82 with 9:15 to go in the fourth quarter. Jalen Duren blocked a Thomas Bryant dunk attempt, then grabbed an offensive board and found Robinson for an open 3-pointer.
8:59 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Lakers and Thunder rolling on NBC
20-17 Lakers with 4:14 to go in the first quarter, as LeBron James (12 pts on 5-of-7 shooting) enjoys a hot start. LeBron through contact 😤 Lakers/Thunder Game 1 is LIVE on NBC & Peacock! pic.twitter.com/A5kvCwfHRO — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
8:54 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Cavaliers riding back into it
80-74 Pistons with 1:04 to go in the third quarter. Cade Cunningham (21 pts) and Donovan Mitchell (17 pts) are hot as the game winds down on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.
8:42 ET / MAY 5, 2026
The Beard climbing the charts
Congrats to @JHarden13 of the @cavs for moving up to 11th on the all-time playoff SCORING list! NBA Playoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/4Pbp59hEEo — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
8:40 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Starting Lineup: Lakers-Thunder, Game 1
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will host the Lakers to open their 2026 Western Conference Semifinals series on NBC and Peacock.
Los Angeles:
- PG Marcus Smart – The Oklahoma State product will be crucial for the Lakers in this series. He’ll be a Playoff-tested defensive option on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a secondary initiator.
- SG Austin Reaves – Reaves was held to 14.7 ppg versus the Thunder this series — well below his season average of 23.3 ppg.
- SF LeBron James – The King is one of four players that played against the Seattle SuperSonics before they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, along with Al Horford, Mike Conley Jr. and Kyle Lowry.
- PF Rui Hachimura – Hachimura could help stretch out Chet Holmgren to the perimeter, giving the Lakers another offensive weapon.
- C Deandre Ayton – Ayton, as always, is a swing piece for the Lakers. His athleticism could give Isaiah Hartenstein problems in the paint.
Oklahoma City:
- PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Shai is 12-13 against the Lakers in his career, taking the second-most 3-pointers (4.7 3PA) he’s attempted against any team.
- SG Ajay Mitchell – We’ll see if Mitchell can stay on the floor against the Lakers’ array of perimeter creators. It’ll be interesting to see whether he can stick with Marcus Smart.
- SF Luguentz Dort – Dort defended LeBron James on 26 possessions this season, holding him to zero points on one shot attempt.
- PF Chet Holmgren – Holmgren could be impossible for the Lakers to handle. His shooting ability, size and defensive presence will be a major factor in this series.
- C Isaiah Hartenstein – Hartenstein shot 71.4% from the field against the Suns — can he match that in this series?
8:35 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Cavaliers cut into lead again
65-55 Pistons with 9:03 to go in the third quarter, as Evan Mobley (12 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast) gets loose with four points in the second half.
8:21 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Pistons up 59-46 at the half
Donovan Mitchell and Cade Cunningham have 14 points apiece, as the Pistons have controlled the game with a 20-7 advantage in points off turnovers and strong defense, holding the Cavs to 38.5% shooting. Amen jumped out of his seat for Ausar's chasedown block 🔥 https://t.co/DtIyDbW2aK pic.twitter.com/NxlK4Xw1j6 — NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2026
8:10 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Watch the turnovers
The Cavs have established a 12-3 advantage in turnovers so far, including a steal that sprung Ron Holland II for a fast break Eurostep layup, drawing the and-one through Keon Ellis.
8:04 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Harden bottled up
Cade Cunningham just forced James Harden into an over-and-back violation, continuing a tough stretch for The Beard. He isolated against Ausar Thompson at the end of the shot clock, missing a stepback 3-pointer, then took and missed another over Jaren Duren on a switch. Of course, as this entry was in progress, Harden knocked down a 3-pointer (7 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast). Hard to keep such an experienced scorer down.
7:57 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Cavaliers cut into the lead
44-35 Pistons with 7:25 to go in the second quarter, as James Harden (4 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) draws a third foul on Duncan Robinson to get to the line for two free throws. Donovan Mitchell (14 pts) has continued his scoring attack, as the Cavaliers better their shooting to 12-of-29 (41.4%). Jarrett Allen’s been confined to the bench for most of the game with three fouls, giving the Pistons freer reign offensively.
7:42 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Pistons up 37-21 after the first quarter
Detroit’s been dominant so far, throwing off the Cavaliers’ offense while establishing their own rhythm. Cade Cunningham (10 pts on 7 shots) is working his way to success, while Jalen Duren (4 pts, 3 reb) and Tobias Harris (6 pts) are settling in comfortably. Javonte Green (3 pts) added the kicker for the fans at Little Caesar’s Arena. Javonte Green beats the Q1 buzzer 🎯 Pistons head into Q2 with a 16-point lead in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/fxP8WwMh2B — NBA (@NBA) May 5, 2026
7:33 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Pistons on a 15-3 run
Bringing the score to 30-14 with 2:18 to go in the first quarter. Detroit’s held Cleveland to 6-of-20 shooting so far (20%) and forced six turnovers while committing none themselves. Daniss Jenkins (6 pts on 3-of-4 shooting, 2 stl) has provided an early spark for the Pistons after putting up 16 points in a big Game 7 against the Magic.
7:20 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Donovan Mitchell out of the gates early
The Pistons are up 15-9 with 6:41 to go in the first quarter, but Donovan Mitchell (7 pts, 2 reb) is out for a big night early, taking six quick shots against JB Bickerstaff’s paint-packing defense. Tobias Harris (6 pts) leads things for Detroit so far.
6:30 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Starting Lineups: Cavaliers-Pistons, Game 1
Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers open their 2026 Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Detroit Pistons tonight on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.
Cleveland:
- PG James Harden – The Beard has played in the 19th most Playoff games all time — 180, tied with Dennis Johnson, one ahead of Michael Jordan.
- SG Donovan Mitchell – Mitchell has never advanced past the Conference Semifinals in his stellar career, last reaching them in 2024.
- SF Dean Wade – Wade has been a consistent role player for the Cavaliers — will he be able to match up with Cade Cunningham and Tobias Harris consistently?
- PF Evan Mobley – Mobley will be crucial in this series, as he walls off the paint against a hard-nosed, aggressive team.
- C Jarrett Allen – Allen helped close out the Raptors with a dominant Game 7, putting up 22 points and 19 rebounds.
Detroit:
- PG Cade Cunningham – Cunningham has been a warrior for the Pistons so far, averaging 40.4 MPG — fourth-most in this Playoffs.
- SG Duncan Robinson – The sharpshooter out of Michigan has made 166 career 3-pointers in the Playoffs — more than Peja Stojaković (162), Joe Johnson (160) or Dirk Nowitzki (149).
- SF Ausar Thompson – We’ll see who the hyper-athletic forward guards in this series. In the regular season, he defended Donovan Mitchell for 18 possessions, allowing seven points on 2-of-5 shooting.
- PF Tobias Harris – Harris was clutch for the Pistons in their series against the Raptors, steadying the ship with consistent scoring and heart. Can he have the same impact against the Cavs’ frontline of Mobley and Allen?
- C Jaren Duren – Duren was outplayed at times by Wendell Carter Jr. in the Pistons’ series against the Magic. In their career head-to-head matchups, both he and Jarrett Allen have averaged 14.6 ppg.
6:00 ET / MAY 5, 2026
Tuesday’s injury report
Kevin Huerter’s out for the Pistons. Luka Dončić is out for the Lakers, as is Jalen Williams for the Thunder.
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