NBA Western Conference Playoffs: Spurs Close Out Trail Blazers, Rockets Sweep Lakers
Denver Nuggets forced into Game 6 against Minnesota after bench unit saves the series; Thunder continue their dominant first-round form while Phoenix struggle.
The San Antonio Spurs have eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers from the 2026 NBA Western Conference first round, securing their place in the second round with a decisive victory in Game 5. The victory was characterised by a commanding start, as San Antonio built a 28-point lead before the break, ultimately overwhelming their opponents.
Spurs forward Devin Vassell highlighted the tactical necessity of the team being "ultra locked in" from the opening tip to close out the series. This focused approach yielded immediate results, with the Spurs shooting 67 per cent from the field in the first half, a figure that tied for their best shooting half of the season. The team's balanced offensive output saw five players score at least 15 points, with Victor Wembanyama contributing 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks.
In a separate series, the Denver Nuggets survived a Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, forcing a sixth contest in Denver. The outcome relied heavily on contributions from the bench, as starting forward Aaron Gordon was hobbled by a left calf injury and missed the game, potentially ending his campaign. Undrafted second-year wing Spencer Jones stepped up significantly, scoring 20 points on four three-pointers, while Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun provided crucial support.
The Nuggets' resilience was underpinned by aggressive defensive pressure, which forced 25 turnovers that were converted into 35 points. This performance allowed the team to extend the series against the Timberwolves, who are still searching for the right combination with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo unavailable. The upcoming Game 6 will test whether Minnesota's role players can perform better at home to secure the series.
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets completed a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, capitalising on significant offensive struggles from their opponents. The Lakers committed 21 turnovers in the first three quarters of Game 4, leading to 26 points for Houston, while their second-half scoring dropped to just 38 points on poor shooting.
LeBron James recorded one of his worst playoff performances of his career in the sweep, scoring 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting while committing eight turnovers. The physical nature of the series reached a peak when Deandre Ayton was ejected in the third quarter of Game 4 after a flagrant foul on Alperen Sengun. Ayton had been effective prior to his exit, tallying 19 points and 10 rebounds before leaving the court.
Beyond the immediate results, the broader playoff landscape saw the Oklahoma City Thunder become the fourth defending champion to sweep their first-round series, going 12-0 in first-round games under coach Mark Daigneault. Conversely, the Phoenix Suns have lost their past 10 playoff games over a four-year span, matching the Brooklyn Nets for the longest active postseason losing streak in the league.
