A monumental Friday in the 2026 playoffs. The NBA saw three Round 1 series end with eliminations, three more forced into Game 7s, and the Western Conference Semifinals between the Lakers and Thunder set to start in Australia today. The NHL closed out four Round 1 series in dramatic fashion, with Round 2 also beginning today AEST. Here is the full Friday wrap for Australian fans, plus a complete preview of every Round 2 matchup.
NBA Playoff Results — Friday May 1 (AEST)
Los Angeles Lakers 98 def. Houston Rockets 78 — Game 6 (LAL WIN SERIES 4-2)
LeBron and the Lakers responded to their Game 5 upset with a dominant 20-point win on the road in Houston to close out the Rockets 4-2. The Lakers advance to the Western Conference Semifinals to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 1 is today, Wednesday May 6 at 10:30am AEST.
New York Knicks 140 def. Atlanta Hawks 89 — Game 6 (NYK WIN SERIES 4-2)
A statement win. The Knicks dismantled the Hawks by 51 points in Atlanta to clinch the series 4-2. New York advances to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and will face the winner of Boston vs Philadelphia. The Knicks must wait for that Game 7 to be played before their Round 2 matchup is set.
Philadelphia 76ers 106 def. Boston Celtics 93 — Game 6 (Game 7 forced)
Philadelphia kept their season alive with a 13-point home win to force a winner-takes-all Game 7. Game 7 is tomorrow, Sunday May 3 at 9:30am AEST — live on ESPN/Kayo. The winner faces New York in Round 2.
Detroit Pistons 93 def. Orlando Magic 79 — Game 6 (Game 7 forced)
The top-seeded Pistons stayed alive on the road, beating Orlando by 14 to force Game 7. Game 7 is Monday May 4 at 5:30am AEST in Detroit — live on ESPN/Kayo.
Toronto Raptors 112 def. Cleveland Cavaliers 110 — Game 6 (Game 7 forced)
A two-point thriller in Toronto. The Raptors squeaked out a Game 6 win to force Game 7 in Cleveland. Game 7 is Monday May 4 at 9:30am AEST — live on ESPN/Kayo.
Minnesota Timberwolves 110 def. Denver Nuggets 98 — Game 6 (MIN WIN SERIES 4-2)
The Wolves closed out Denver at home to eliminate the Nuggets 4-2. Minnesota advance to the Western Conference Semifinals to face the San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 is Tuesday May 5 at 11:30am AEST.
NHL Playoff Results — Friday May 1 (AEST)
Minnesota Wild 5 def. Dallas Stars 2 — Game 6 (MIN WIN SERIES 4-2)
The Wild eliminated the Stars at home with a 5-2 win to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Minnesota will face the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche. Game 1 is Monday May 4 at 11:00am AEST — live on ESPN/Kayo.
Anaheim Ducks 5 def. Edmonton Oilers 2 — Game 6 (ANA WIN SERIES 4-2)
The Ducks completed one of the biggest upsets of Round 1, eliminating the Oilers 4-2. Anaheim advance to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Semifinals. Round 2 schedule to be confirmed.
Buffalo Sabres 4 def. Boston Bruins 1 — Game 6 (BUF WIN SERIES 4-2)
Buffalo eliminated the Bruins on the road to advance 4-2. The Sabres now wait for the winner of Tampa Bay vs Montreal Game 7 to confirm their Round 2 opponent.
Vegas Golden Knights 5 def. Utah Mammoth 1 — Game 6 (VGK WIN SERIES 4-2)
Vegas closed out Utah on the road in a comfortable 5-1 win. The Golden Knights advance to face Anaheim in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Tampa Bay Lightning 1 def. Montreal Canadiens 0 — Game 6 (Game 7 forced)
Tampa Bay survived a 1-0 thriller in Montreal to force a decisive Game 7 back in Tampa. Game 7 is today, Sunday May 3 at 8:00am AEST — live on ESPN/Kayo. Winner faces Buffalo in Round 2.
NBA Round 2 Schedule — Australian Times
Western Conference Semifinals
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers (NEW — starts today)
- Game 1: Wednesday May 6, 10:30am AEST — ESPN/Kayo
- Game 2: Friday May 8, 11:30am AEST
- Game 3: Sunday May 10, 10:30am AEST
- Game 4: TBD
San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves
- Game 1: Tuesday May 5, 11:30am AEST — ESPN/Kayo
- Game 2: Thursday May 7, 11:30am AEST
- Game 3: Saturday May 9, 11:30am AEST
- Game 4: TBD
Eastern Conference Semifinals
New York Knicks vs winner of BOS/PHI Game 7
- Game 1: Tuesday May 5, 10:00am AEST (start time confirmed, opponent TBD)
Winner of CLE/TOR vs winner of DET/ORL
- Round 2 schedule confirmed once Game 7s complete
NHL Round 2 Schedule — Australian Times
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers (starts today)
- Game 1: Sunday May 3, 10:00am AEST — ESPN/Kayo
- Win probability: CAR 68%, PHI 32%
Buffalo Sabres vs winner of TB/MTL Game 7
- Round 2 schedule confirmed once Game 7 plays out
Western Conference Semifinals
Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild (starts Monday)
- Game 1: Monday May 4, 11:00am AEST — ESPN/Kayo
- Win probability: COL 62%, MIN 38%
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
- Round 2 schedule to be confirmed
Today’s Must-Watch Games (Sunday May 3 AEST)
- 8:00am — Lightning vs Canadiens Game 7 (ESPN/Kayo) — winner faces Buffalo
- 9:30am — 76ers vs Celtics Game 7 (ESPN/Kayo) — winner faces Knicks
- 10:00am — Hurricanes vs Flyers Game 1 (ESPN/Kayo) — NHL Round 2 begins
Round 1 Recap — Eight NBA Series Done, Two Remaining
Eliminated in Round 1:
- Phoenix Suns (swept by OKC)
- Portland Trail Blazers (lost to SAS 4-1)
- Atlanta Hawks (lost to NYK 4-2)
- Houston Rockets (lost to LAL 4-2)
- Denver Nuggets (lost to MIN 4-2)
Game 7s remaining:
- Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
- Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
Round 1 Recap — Six NHL Series Done, One Remaining
Eliminated in Round 1:
- Los Angeles Kings (swept by COL)
- Ottawa Senators (swept by CAR)
- Pittsburgh Penguins (lost to PHI 4-2)
- Boston Bruins (lost to BUF 4-2)
- Edmonton Oilers (lost to ANA 4-2)
- Dallas Stars (lost to MIN 4-2)
- Utah Mammoth (lost to VGK 4-2)
Game 7 remaining:
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens (today 8am AEST)
How to Watch NBA & NHL Round 2 in Australia
NBA on ESPN/ABC — Live on Kayo Sports and ESPN Australia. Every NBA Round 2 game is also available on NBA League Pass in Australia. Selected games are available on Prime Video Australia.
NHL on ESPN — Live on Kayo Sports and ESPN Australia. Round 2 games on TNT in the US are exclusive to NHL.TV for Australian viewers. Peacock is not available in Australia.
For full Round 2 schedules with AEST tipoff times, live scores updated every 60 seconds, and broadcaster info, check our live US Sports TV Guide.
What’s Next?
After today’s Game 7s and Round 2 openers, we will have:
- Confirmed Round 2 brackets in both leagues
- Full schedules for the remaining matchups
- A clear path to the Conference Finals in late May
- The NBA Finals begin Thursday June 4 at 10:30am AEST
- The Stanley Cup Final expected to begin in mid-June
Bookmark our TV Guide homepage for live scores and updated game times throughout Round 2.
Published 3 May 2026. All times AEST (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane).
