A massive Thursday of NBA and NHL playoff action overnight US time. The Houston Rockets pulled off a stunning upset to force a Game 6 against LeBron and the Lakers, the Philadelphia Flyers eliminated the Penguins to advance to Round 2, and several Game 5s reshaped the series picture across both leagues. Here is the full Thursday wrap for Australian fans plus how to catch the replays today.
NBA Playoff Results — Thursday April 30 (AEST)
Houston Rockets 99 def. Los Angeles Lakers 93 — Game 5
The biggest upset of the day. The Rockets stunned the Lakers in Los Angeles to claw back into the series after trailing 3-1. The Lakers still lead 3-2 but now have to win on the road in Houston to avoid a stunning collapse. Game 6 heads to Houston on Saturday May 2 at 11:30am AEST — live on ESPN and Kayo Sports.
Detroit Pistons 116 def. Orlando Magic 109 — Game 5
The top-seeded Pistons fought off elimination at home to extend their first-round series. Orlando still leads 3-2 but now must close it out on the road. Game 6 is in Orlando on Saturday May 2 at 9:00am AEST — ESPN/Kayo.
Cleveland Cavaliers 125 def. Toronto Raptors 120 — Game 5
A high-scoring thriller in Cleveland saw the Cavs take a 3-2 series lead. Toronto faces elimination at home in Game 6 on Saturday May 2 at 9:30am AEST — ESPN/Kayo.
NHL Playoff Results — Thursday April 30 (AEST)
Philadelphia Flyers 1 def. Pittsburgh Penguins 0 — Game 6 (PHI WIN SERIES 4-2)
A goaltending masterclass ended in a 1-0 win for the Flyers, who eliminated the Penguins 4-2 in the series. Philadelphia advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals where they will face the top-seeded Carolina Hurricanes. Series start date to be confirmed.
Montreal Canadiens 3 def. Tampa Bay Lightning 2 — Game 5
Montreal continues its surprising playoff run with another tight win over the Lightning to take a 3-2 series lead. Tampa Bay faces elimination at home in Game 6 on Saturday May 2 at 9:00am AEST — ESPN/Kayo.
Series Standings After Thursday
NBA Round 1
- Oklahoma City Thunder def. Phoenix Suns 4-0 — through to Round 2
- San Antonio Spurs def. Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 — through to Round 2
- Orlando Magic lead Detroit Pistons 3-2 — Game 6 Saturday
- Boston Celtics lead Philadelphia 76ers 3-2 — Game 6 Friday
- New York Knicks lead Atlanta Hawks 3-2 — Game 6 Friday
- Cleveland Cavaliers lead Toronto Raptors 3-2 — Game 6 Saturday
- Denver Nuggets lead Minnesota Timberwolves 3-2 — Game 6 Friday
- Los Angeles Lakers lead Houston Rockets 3-2 — Game 6 Saturday in Houston
NHL Round 1
- Carolina Hurricanes def. Ottawa Senators 4-0 — through to Round 2
- Colorado Avalanche def. Los Angeles Kings 4-0 — through to Round 2
- Philadelphia Flyers def. Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 — through to Round 2
- Buffalo Sabres lead Boston Bruins 3-2 — Game 6 Saturday
- Minnesota Wild lead Dallas Stars 3-2 — Game 6 Friday
- Anaheim Ducks lead Edmonton Oilers 3-2 — Game 6 Friday
- Montreal Canadiens lead Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 — Game 6 Saturday
- Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoth — series tied 2-2 at time of writing
Round 2 Matchups Confirmed So Far
NBA Western Conference Semifinals:
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs winner of Lakers/Rockets
- San Antonio Spurs vs winner of Nuggets/Timberwolves
NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals:
- Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers
NHL Western Conference Semifinals:
- Colorado Avalanche vs winner of Wild/Stars
The remaining Round 2 matchups will lock in over the weekend as Round 1 series conclude.
How to Watch NBA & NHL Playoffs in Australia
NBA on ESPN/ABC — Live on Kayo Sports and ESPN Australia. Every NBA playoff game is also available on NBA League Pass and Disney+ in Australia. NBA games on TNT in the US are exclusive to League Pass for Australian fans.
NHL on ESPN — Live on Kayo Sports and ESPN Australia. Games on TNT in the US are exclusive to NHL.TV for Australian viewers. Peacock is not available in Australia.
For full schedules with AEST tipoff times, live scores updated every 60 seconds, and broadcaster info, check our live US Sports TV Guide.
Key Games Coming Up — Friday & Saturday (AEST)
Friday May 1:
- 9:00am — Hawks vs Knicks Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
- 9:30am — Wild vs Stars Game 6 (Kayo/ESPN)
- 10:00am — 76ers vs Celtics Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
- 11:30am — Timberwolves vs Nuggets Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
- 12:00pm — Ducks vs Oilers Game 6 (NHL.TV)
Saturday May 2:
- 9:00am — Magic vs Pistons Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
- 9:00am — Canadiens vs Lightning Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
- 9:30am — Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
- 9:30am — Bruins vs Sabres Game 6 (Kayo/ESPN)
- 11:30am — Lakers vs Rockets Game 6 (ESPN/Kayo)
Bookmark our TV Guide homepage for live scores and updated game times throughout the playoffs.
Published 1 May 2026. All times AEST (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane).
