Sunday features four opening contests in the 2026 NBA postseason: the 76ers against the Celtics, the Suns facing the Thunder, the Magic battling the Pistons, and the Trail Blazers competing with the Spurs. We are analyzing the crucial insights from each matchup.
Presented below are our observations from Saturday’s initial playoff games.
Thunder 119, Suns 84
Oklahoma City’s Defensive Dominance
The prowess of Oklahoma City’s defensive unit is well-established, yet its effectiveness proved game-changing here. Phoenix started with offensive assertiveness, as Jalen Green’s layup brought their total to 12 points with 8:05 remaining in the first period. Over the subsequent five minutes, they managed only a single successful shot from the field, while OKC embarked on a decisive 17-2 surge. This defensive intensity further escalated with a 16-4 run extending from the 10:34 mark to the 5:28 mark in the second quarter. Imagine the crescendo building even further…
The message is clear.
A comprehensive guide to the NBA playoffs: Forecasts, series analyses, pivotal players
Oklahoma City demonstrated exceptional defensive engagement: applying persistent ball pressure through its top-tier players to disrupt Phoenix’s backcourt; diligently navigating through screens and swiftly recovering positions; Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein actively stepping up to screens and then retreating to block drives; and executing flexible on-ball switches. When Phoenix attempted off-ball movements, OKC employed physicality, switching defenders and denying access to force possessions late into the shot clock. Any Suns’ drives were met with immediate assistance from either the elbow or the baseline. Few openings appeared for Phoenix in this contest, and any that did… were swiftly shut down. A mere twenty-four points scored in the restricted area (a dismal 12 of 32 attempts!!) and only two total fast-break points severely hindered the Suns’ offensive efforts.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Adaptable Performance
Phoenix evidently prioritized making Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s offensive contributions incredibly challenging. While their strategy limited him to a 5-for-18 shooting performance from the field, SGA consistently demonstrates alternative methods to influence games when his scoring attempts are not connecting. His combination of attacking the basket, orchestrating plays, and converting difficult shots invariably provides him with the leverage to dictate the flow of play. (Indeed, his 15-of-17 efficiency from the charity stripe certainly reinforces this, as you’re likely aware.)
The Suns deployed defensive assistance at both the elbow and the nail, aiming to obstruct SGA’s paths to the basket. Oklahoma City responded by positioning Jalen Williams in a passing lane nearby. Recognizing the defensive attention, Shai executed the correct decision, allowing his playmaking to shine in the initial stages. OKC strategically cleared the wing areas; the Suns maintained their help defense, and the Thunder capitalized on the subsequent closeout attempts. During the third period, OKC frequently utilized pick-and-roll actions to draw a double-team onto Shai. This early reliance on cohesive team effort within the series highlights the strong foundation OKC has established (Williams contributed 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while Chet Holmgren added 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting).
The adjustments Phoenix makes for the second game will be intriguing. Should SGA’s direct drives to the hoop become more prevalent, or if his contested fadeaway and step-back jumpers start falling consistently, will the Suns intensify their double-teaming efforts? And if so, might that create even greater offensive opportunities for the Thunder?
The Suns’ Strategic Approach?
Experiencing one of those “nothing is going our way” situations during the postseason is certainly challenging. The optimistic perspective? Things can hardly deteriorate further, can they? INDEED?
Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks possess the skill to convert difficult attempts, but this alone will not guarantee victory over Oklahoma City. Controlling the pace in half-court sets appears to be the most straightforward solution. Making rapid choices will benefit them. Anticipating defensive help on drives allows for perimeter passes and helps sustain offensive momentum. They must initiate their plays with greater urgency, make accurate reads, and execute effectively. They should aim to replicate their positive start from the third quarter, improve their defensive efforts, and revert to their established method of play.
— Steve Jones
Jayson Tatum Displayed His Usual Brilliance
Any anxieties regarding Jayson Tatum’s form in his initial postseason appearance since suffering a right Achilles tear last May were swiftly dispelled within the first few minutes. He remained on the court for the entirety of the first quarter, recording a stat line of 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, setting the stage for his eventual totals of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists across 33 minutes of play.
He exhibited every facet of his characteristic game — putting up points from all areas of the court, facilitating for teammates, grabbing boards, and playing stellar defense; essentially, he did it all. He frequently involved Tyrese Maxey or Andre Drummond in plays, initiating offense from either the high post or beyond the arc. He was, undeniably, the standout performer on the court, a fact that was entirely predictable for the opening game of a 2026 playoff series at the beginning of the year, wasn’t it?
The Profound Impact of Joel Embiid’s Absence
Despite the considerable strain on his frequently ailing knees, Joel Embiid remains an elite defender at the basket. Scarcely any other player challenged more shots than Embiid’s average of 7.1 close-range contests per game, where opponents registered a 5.5% decrease in their shooting percentage compared to their seasonal norms. In his absence, even if Adem Bona presents comparable defensive solidity (albeit with fewer chances), the Celtics find scoring near the basket significantly less restricted.
Right from their initial possession, Boston involved Bona in the play, using Neemias Queta as the screener. Tatum delivered a precise pocket pass to Queta, resulting in two successful free throws. Barely 90 seconds into the match, Bona had already committed his second personal foul.
Embiid’s absence extends beyond just defensive impact. His offensive presence commands such significant defensive focus, even when playing restricted minutes, that it naturally creates scoring chances for Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Paul George. Presently, the onus falls on them to generate offense independently, which they attempted. Facing a adaptable Boston defense, which showed little concern for Bona or Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia recorded only two assists on six successful field goals during the first quarter, a period that saw the lead expand to 33-18. The 76ers never held an advantage.
The primary query revolves around Joel Embiid’s potential return to play before the conclusion of this series. He had an appendectomy procedure on April 9. Coach Nick Nurse of the 76ers had stated before the series began that Embiid’s availability would be determined on a game-by-game basis. It seems improbable that he would return for anything more than the very final stages of an extended series, and judging by the outcome of Game 1, such a lengthy series appears unlikely.
Philadelphia’s Vulnerability in Pick-and-Roll Defense
Philadelphia attempted to conceal Maxey defensively by assigning him to Sam Hauser, yet the Celtics successfully exploited this matchup regardless. Whether it was Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, or Payton Pritchard, any of Boston’s ball-handlers could initiate a switch to gain Maxey as their defender, then involve Andre Drummond in a pick-and-roll to generate offense. The pairing of Maxey and Drummond creates a disastrous defensive scenario against such actions.
Maxey lacks the height and physical strength to contend with Boston’s larger primary ball-handlers, and Drummond possesses insufficient speed to stay with them. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is equally persistent. He will have no reservations about consistently targeting Maxey and Drummond (or even Bona). Boston simply didn’t require frequent exploitation of this mismatch during this particular game. However, if any subsequent contests become tightly contested, observe how effortlessly they generate scoring opportunities against the Maxey-Drummond pairing, distributing the ball to open shooters whenever help defense arrives.
— Ben Rohrbach
