Key Takeaways
- Three NBA playoff games are scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2026: Celtics‑76ers (6 p.m. CT), Lakers‑Rockets (7 p.m. CT), and Spurs‑Blazers (9:30 p.m. CT).
- All games will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video; no traditional TV broadcast is listed for this slate.
- San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembayama remains questionable for Game 3 against Portland after sustaining a concussion in Game 2; he participated in a pre‑game shootaround.
- The Lakers may regain Austin Reaves (upgraded to questionable) while the Rockets will be without Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain).
- The Celtics‑76ers series is tied 1‑1 after each team recorded double‑digit victories in the first two games; the Lakers lead the Rockets 2‑0 after winning both home games as underdogs.
- The Spurs‑Blazers series is also tied 1‑1, with Portland taking Game 2 on the road.
- Every first‑round series in the 2026 playoffs follows a best‑of‑seven format; the bracket shows leads for Oklahoma City, Los Angeles, Minnesota, and a tight race in the East.
On Friday, April 24, 2026, the NBA playoff slate features three first‑round matchups, each tipped off at different times to accommodate a coast‑to‑coast schedule. The Eastern Conference clash between the Boston Celtics (2‑seed) and the Philadelphia 76ers (7‑seed) gets underway at 6 p.m. CT at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Following that, the Western Conference showdown sees the Los Angeles Lakers (4‑seed) host the Houston Rockets (5‑seed) at 7 p.m. CT in the Toyota Center, Houston. The night caps off with the San Antonio Spurs (2‑seed) visiting the Portland Trail Blazers (7‑seed) at 9:30 p.m. CT in the Moda Center, Portland.
All three contests will be available exclusively on Prime Video, marking the second consecutive night that the league’s playoff action is streamed solely on the platform. Subscribers can tune in via the Prime Video app or website; no linear TV channels are listed for these games.
The most talked‑about storyline heading into the evening is the status of San Antonio’s phenom, Victor Wembayama. After suffering a concussion in the first half of Game 2 when his head struck the court while driving to the basket, Wembayama was listed as questionable for Game 3. He did participate in a shootaround with his teammates earlier in the day, suggesting he is progressing through the league’s concussion protocol, but a final decision will likely be made closer to tip‑off. If he is cleared, the Spurs would regain their Defensive Player of the Year and a major offensive catalyst; if he sits, Portland will look to capitalize on the absence.
Injury news also surrounds the Lakers‑Rockets game. Los Angeles may see the return of Austin Reaves, whose oblique injury has been upgraded to questionable, providing a potential boost to the bench and perimeter shooting. Conversely, Houston will remain without Kevin Durant, who is sidelined with a left‑ankle sprain. Durant’s absence removes a key scoring option and veteran presence for a Rockets team already tasked with overturning a 0‑2 series deficit.
The Celtics‑76ers series remains firmly tied at 1‑1. Boston opened the series with a franchise‑record lopsided victory in Game 1, while Philadelphia answered with a 14‑point road win in Game 2, powered by VJ Edgecombe’s 30‑point outburst. Both teams have shown they can assert dominance on their home courts, setting the stage for a tightly contested Game 3 in Philadelphia.
Out West, the Lakers have taken a 2‑0 series lead over the Rockets despite entering both games as home underdogs. Los Angeles’ resilience has been fueled by strong defensive performances and timely scoring from its core, while Houston has struggled to find consistency without Durant. A victory in Game 3 would put the Lakers on the brink of a sweep and grant them a commanding advantage heading into a potential Game 4 in Houston.
The Spurs‑Blazers series is also deadlocked at 1‑1. Portland stole Game 2 on the road, 106‑103, after a tightly fought contest that saw both teams exchange leads throughout. San Antonio will look to rebound with the possible return of Wembayama, while the Trail Blazers aim to protect their home court and seize a series lead.
A glance at the updated 2026 NBA playoff bracket reveals the following first‑round standings:
- Eastern Conference: Orlando Magic (8) vs. Detroit Pistons (1) – tied 1‑1; Toronto Raptors (5) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4) – Cavaliers lead 2‑1; Atlanta Hawks (6) vs. New York Knicks (3) – Hawks lead 2‑1; Philadelphia 76ers (7) vs. Boston Celtics (2) – tied 1‑1.
- Western Conference: Phoenix Suns (8) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1) – Thunder lead 2‑0; Houston Rockets (5) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (4) – Lakers lead 2‑0; Minnesota Timberwolves (6) vs. Denver Nuggets (3) – Timberwolves lead 2‑1; Portland Trail Blazers (7) vs. San Antonio Spurs (2) – tied 1‑1.
All series are contested in a best‑of‑seven format, with the first team to four wins advancing. Prior to 2004, opening rounds were best‑of‑five, but the current structure ensures longer, more competitive battles.
Recent game results (April 20‑23) further illustrate the volatility of this year’s playoffs:
- April 20: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105; Hawks 107, Knicks 106; Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114.
- April 21: 76ers 111, Celtics 97; Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103; Lakers 101, Rockets 94.
- April 22: Pistons 98, Magic 83; Thunder 120, Suns 107.
- April 23: Hawks 109, Knicks 108; Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104; Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96.
With the playoffs in full swing, Friday’s triple‑header promises high‑stakes drama, especially surrounding Wembayama’s availability, the Lakers’ quest for a 3‑0 lead, and the Celtics‑76ers battle for early momentum. Fans can catch all the action live on Prime Video, keeping an eye on how these developments shape the trajectory of each series as the postseason march continues.