NBA Playoffs: Timberwolves and Knicks secure 1-0 series leads in Conference Semifinals

The 2026 NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals have commenced with decisive results, as the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks secured 1-0 series leads against the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers respectively. The contest in the West saw the Timberwolves capitalise on a poor shooting night from their opponents to claim a victory that insiders have described as stolen, despite the theoretical limitations placed on their star player.

For Minnesota, the narrative centred on the return of Anthony Edwards, who had previously missed time due to a left knee injury involving hyperextension and a bone bruise. Coach Chris Finch initially managed the four-time All-Star cautiously by bringing him off the bench, yet Edwards powered his way back onto the floor in just 25 minutes. He finished with 18 points on 13 shots, moving with relative ease and suggesting that his usage and minutes are likely to increase as the series progresses.

The Spurs struggled significantly to match the length and strength of the Timberwolves' defence. Victor Wembanyama recorded a career-high 11 blocks, setting a new NBA playoff record, but his offensive output was negligible. The Frenchman shot 5-of-7 overall and failed to score from three-point range, contributing to a combined 10-of-31 shooting performance for Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox. The Spurs made just 41 per cent of their field goals and 37 per cent from beyond the arc, a statistical disparity that defined the outcome of Game 1.

In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks delivered a historic performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, recording a 137-98 victory that marked the first instance in NBA history where a team has won three straight postseason games by a margin of at least 25 points. The game was characterised by the Knicks' ability to stifle Joel Embiid and their own scorching offensive efficiency, which stood in stark contrast to Philadelphia's inability to score.

Jalen Brunson was the primary catalyst for New York's dominance, scoring 27 of his 31 total points before halftime and running wild against a Sixers defence that struggled to contain him. Karl-Anthony Towns provided a significant spark in limited action, recording 17 points, six rebounds, and six assists in just 20 minutes. The loss for Philadelphia was attributed to their own shooting struggles and an inability to defend Brunson effectively, a sharp contrast to their recent emotional 3-1 series rally against the Boston Celtics.

With both series now at 1-0, the focus shifts to the upcoming matchups. The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder are scheduled to begin their series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, following their sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round. As teams chase the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the performance levels displayed in these opening games suggest a high-stakes remainder of the second round.