NBA Playoffs 2026 — Conference Finals Are Set
The 2026 NBA Playoffs have delivered drama, upsets, and breathtaking individual performances through two rounds, and now the stage is set for the Conference Finals. The four remaining teams represent a fascinating mix of championship pedigree and hungry challengers. Here is your complete preview of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals, along with our championship predictions.
Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs New York Knicks
The Boston Celtics (64-18 regular season, 1st seed) are seeking back-to-back championships after their dominant 2025 title run. Jayson Tatum has elevated his game to another level this postseason, averaging 31.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists through two rounds. His shooting efficiency — 49% from the field and 39% from three — is remarkable given the defensive attention he faces. Jaylen Brown continues to be the ideal complementary star with 24.8 points per game, while Derrick White has emerged as one of the league’s best two-way guards with elite perimeter defense and clutch shooting.
The Celtics dispatched the Miami Heat in five games in the first round and survived a grueling seven-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round. That Bucks series — which featured three overtime games and a historic 52-point performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 5 — may have taken a physical toll, but it also sharpened Boston’s playoff intensity.
The New York Knicks (56-26, 4th seed) have been the story of these playoffs. Jalen Brunson has averaged 28.6 points and 8.3 assists, playing with the swagger and efficiency of a genuine MVP candidate. His partnership with Karl-Anthony Towns (22.4 points, 11.7 rebounds) gives the Knicks elite scoring from multiple positions. OG Anunoby provides lockdown defense, and Mikal Bridges has found his rhythm with 18.2 points per game off the bench.
The Knicks eliminated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games and stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers — the 2nd seed — in five games, with Brunson delivering a 44-point masterpiece in the clinching Game 5. Madison Square Garden has been electric, and the Knicks carry genuine championship belief for the first time since the Patrick Ewing era.
Key matchup: Tatum vs Anunoby will be a chess match of elite offense against elite defense. If Anunoby can limit Tatum to below 45% shooting, the Knicks have a real chance. Boston’s bench depth — led by Payton Pritchard (14.1 PPG off the bench) — gives them an advantage in the reserves battle.
Prediction: Celtics in 7. Boston’s championship experience and defensive versatility edge them past a valiant Knicks team in a classic series.
Western Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Denver Nuggets
The Oklahoma City Thunder (62-20, 1st seed) have been the most exciting team in basketball this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having an all-time great season, averaging 33.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 2.3 steals in the playoffs while shooting 51% from the field. The 27-year-old has firmly established himself as a top-three player in the world. Chet Holmgren has developed into a two-way force — his 18.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game provide rim protection and floor spacing that few big men in NBA history have combined.
Jalen Williams (21.3 PPG, 5.8 APG) is the Thunder’s Swiss Army knife, capable of guarding 1-4 and creating offense from any position. The addition of veteran Alex Caruso in the offseason has elevated OKC’s perimeter defense to the best in the league. The Thunder swept the Sacramento Kings in round one and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games in round two.
The Denver Nuggets (54-28, 4th seed) are powered by Nikola Jokic, who is once again producing staggering numbers: 29.8 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game — a triple-double average through two playoff rounds. The 31-year-old three-time MVP continues to defy conventional basketball wisdom with his passing and scoring from the center position. Jamal Murray has rediscovered his “Bubble Murray” form with 25.6 points per game, including a series-clinching 38-point performance against the Suns.
Denver eliminated the Phoenix Suns in seven games in a rematch of the 2023 semifinals, then beat the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Michael Porter Jr. (17.8 PPG) and Aaron Gordon (14.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG) provide crucial secondary scoring and defense.
Key matchup: Jokic vs Holmgren is the matchup of the postseason. Holmgren’s length (7’1″ with a 7’6″ wingspan) and mobility make him one of the few defenders who can genuinely contest Jokic, but the Serbian maestro has historically dismantled even the best defensive schemes. SGA vs Murray is equally compelling — two elite shot-creators who thrive in high-pressure moments.
Prediction: Thunder in 6. OKC’s depth, defensive versatility, and home-court advantage prove decisive, though Jokic ensures Denver stay competitive throughout.
Championship Prediction
If our predictions hold, the NBA Finals would feature Boston Celtics vs Oklahoma City Thunder — a matchup of the defending champions against the league’s most dynamic young team. We favour the Thunder to win the championship in 6 games, with SGA claiming Finals MVP. OKC’s combination of elite defense, youthful energy, and Gilgeous-Alexander’s brilliance would be enough to dethrone the Celtics and bring a championship to Oklahoma City for the first time.
Key Playoff Stats to Watch
Several statistical trends are worth monitoring. Teams that have won Game 1 of the Conference Finals have gone on to win the series 68% of the time historically. Home teams are 31-17 (.646) in the 2026 playoffs. The Thunder’s defensive rating of 104.3 in the playoffs is the best of any remaining team, while the Celtics’ offensive rating of 121.8 leads all teams.
For basketball fans in Pakistan, the NBA continues to grow in popularity. The Conference Finals tip off on May 1 and are available on the NBA League Pass app. For more NBA coverage, check out our analysis of key playoff matchups, the MVP race, and LeBron James’ record-breaking season.
The 2026 NBA Playoffs have already delivered some of the most memorable moments in recent basketball history, and the Conference Finals promise even more. Whether you are a lifelong fan or a newcomer to the sport, the next two weeks of basketball will be unmissable.