Published Wed 6 May 2026, 8:30am AEST · Both Round 2 Eastern and Western Game 1s tipped off Tuesday morning AEST and both went hard against the home favourites. Today’s Round 2 Game 1 doubleheader: Pistons vs Cavaliers at 9:00am AEST and Thunder vs Lakers at 10:30am AEST.
Tuesday’s two NBA Round 2 Game 1s delivered very different stories with the same outcome — the road team won. The New York Knicks turned a Madison Square Garden tip-off into a statement win over the seventh-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, and the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves stole Game 1 from the San Antonio Spurs in their own building. Here’s the full wrap and what’s on for Australian fans today.
On this page
- Knicks 137, 76ers 98 — the demolition
- Wolves 104, Spurs 102 — Edwards holds his nerve
- Today’s Round 2 Game 1s in AEST
- Full Round 2 schedule this week
- How to watch in Australia
Knicks 137, 76ers 98 — the demolition at Madison Square Garden
The Knicks did not just beat the 76ers in Game 1. They sent a message that the Philadelphia magic that took out the Celtics in seven games does not transfer over. New York led by 18 at halftime, by 28 at the end of the third, and at one stage led by more than 40 in the fourth quarter.
The 39-point margin is the largest Game 1 win for a 3-seed in a Conference Semifinal since 1992. For an audience that watched Philadelphia play 16 hard-fought games to reach Round 2, it was jarring to see them this overmatched.
Jalen Brunson set the tone early with a 39-point night on efficient shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns added a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double. The Knicks shot 56 percent from the field and 47 percent from three.
For Philadelphia, VJ Edgecombe — the rookie sensation of Round 1 — finished with just 11 points. Tyrese Maxey was held to 18. The 76ers’ bench was outscored 47-22 and the team committed 19 turnovers. After the Round 1 highs, the post-game mood in Philadelphia is realistic — they have a serious adjustment to make before Game 2.
Knicks vs 76ers — series so far
| Game | Result | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 (Tue 5 May, NY) | NYK 137, PHI 98 | NYK lead 1-0 |
| Game 2 (Thu 7 May 9:00am AEST) | at Madison Square Garden | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Game 3 (Sat 9 May 9:00am AEST) | at Philadelphia | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Game 4 (Mon 11 May 5:30am AEST) | at Philadelphia | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
Wolves 104, Spurs 102 — Anthony Edwards holds his nerve
The other Game 1 was the closer game by a country mile. The Timberwolves walked into San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center as 22-point underdogs in the live Game 2 win-probability spread and walked out with a 104-102 win, courtesy of an Anthony Edwards three with 47 seconds left and a Victor Wembanyama miss at the buzzer.
Edwards finished with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. The Wolves built a 14-point first-half lead, the Spurs clawed back to within one in the third, and the fourth quarter was decided by single possessions. Wembanyama had 27 and 12 in his first Round 2 game since returning from concussion protocol — but the Spurs’ supporting cast struggled to convert.
This was the kind of Game 1 the Spurs could not afford to lose. Their seed, their home court, their depth advantage — and Minnesota stole it. Game 2 in San Antonio tomorrow morning suddenly looms as a must-win for the Spurs.
Spurs vs Wolves — series so far
| Game | Result | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 (Tue 5 May, SA) | MIN 104, SAS 102 | MIN lead 1-0 |
| Game 2 (Thu 7 May 11:30am AEST) | at San Antonio | League Pass / Disney+ |
| Game 3 (Sat 9 May 11:30am AEST) | at Minnesota | League Pass / Disney+ |
| Game 4 (Mon 11 May 9:30am AEST) | at Minnesota | League Pass / Disney+ |
Watch every NBA Round 2 game live in Australia
Knicks vs 76ers and Pistons vs Cavaliers on Kayo/Disney+. Lakers vs Thunder and Spurs vs Wolves on League Pass.Start free Kayo trial →
Today’s Round 2 Game 1s in AEST
Two more Round 2 series tip off this morning AEST. Pistons vs Cavaliers is the East 1-seed against the team that just survived a seven-game Round 1 grind. Lakers vs Thunder is the marquee matchup of the entire 2026 Playoffs.
| Tip-off (AEST) | Matchup | Watch in Australia |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00am today | Pistons vs Cavaliers — Game 1 | ESPN / Kayo / Disney+ |
| 10:30am today | Thunder vs Lakers — Game 1 | League Pass only (NBC) |
A reminder for Australian fans: Lakers vs Thunder is on NBC in the US, which means NBA League Pass is your only option to watch it live. Kayo and Disney+ do not carry NBC games.
Full Round 2 schedule this week — AEST
| Day (AEST) | Time | Matchup | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 6 May (today) | 9:00am | Pistons vs Cavaliers — G1 | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Wed 6 May (today) | 10:30am | Thunder vs Lakers — G1 | League Pass |
| Thu 7 May | 9:00am | Knicks vs 76ers — G2 | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Thu 7 May | 11:30am | Spurs vs Wolves — G2 | League Pass/Disney+ |
| Fri 8 May | 9:00am | Pistons vs Cavaliers — G2 | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Fri 8 May | 11:30am | Thunder vs Lakers — G2 | League Pass |
| Sat 9 May | 9:00am | 76ers vs Knicks — G3 (Philly) | ESPN/Kayo/Disney+ |
| Sat 9 May | 11:30am | Wolves vs Spurs — G3 (Minnesota) | League Pass/Disney+ |
Full live schedule with confirmed broadcasters in our live US Sports TV Guide.
How to watch the NBA Playoffs in Australia
Round 2 is split across three platforms in Australia. Eastern Conference series (Knicks vs 76ers, Pistons vs Cavaliers) are on ESPN/ABC, which means they’re on Kayo Sports, Disney+ and ESPN Australia. Western Conference series (Lakers vs Thunder, Spurs vs Wolves) are on NBC and TNT — and only the TNT games are on Disney+. The NBC games (Thunder vs Lakers) require NBA League Pass for live viewing in Australia.
For the full platform breakdown, prices and recommendations, see our How to Watch NBA in Australia 2026 guide or the NBA Playoffs 2026 Australia hub.
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide — every NBA, NHL and MLB game with AEST times
- NBA Playoffs 2026 Australia hub — bracket, schedule and results
- How to Watch NBA in Australia 2026
All times shown in AEST (Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane). Mac Johannson covers US sports for Australian fans, with a focus on AEST schedules and playoff coverage.
