The first round of NBA Round 2 Game 1s is in the books and the bracket has gone almost exactly to chalk — with one big exception. Across four series openers played over the past 36 hours AEST, three home favourites held court and only one road team walked away with a stolen Game 1. That team was the Minnesota Timberwolves, who walked into San Antonio and did what no other visitor managed all week. Here’s the full Round 2 Game 1 wrap.
Game 1 results — all four series
| Series | Game 1 Result | Series |
|---|---|---|
| (3) Knicks vs (7) 76ers | NYK 137, PHI 98 (at NY) | NYK lead 1-0 |
| (2) Spurs vs (6) Wolves | MIN 104, SAS 102 (at SA) | MIN lead 1-0 |
| (1) Pistons vs (4) Cavaliers | DET 111, CLE 101 (at DET) | DET lead 1-0 |
| (1) Thunder vs (4) Lakers | OKC 108, LAL 90 (at OKC) | OKC lead 1-0 |
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 ended Boston’s season does not transfer over. New York led by 18 at halftime, by 28 after three quarters, and at one stage led by more than 40 in the fourth. The 39-point margin is the largest Game 1 win for a 3-seed in a Conference Semifinal since 1992.
Jalen Brunson set the tone with 39 points on efficient shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 and 14. The Knicks shot 56 percent from the field. For Philadelphia, VJ Edgecombe — the rookie sensation of Round 1 — finished with just 11. Tyrese Maxey was held to 18. The 76ers committed 19 turnovers and were outscored 47-22 on the bench. After the Round 1 highs, this was a deflating reset for Philly.
Wolves 104, Spurs 102 — Edwards holds his nerve in San Antonio
This is the standout result of Round 2 so far. The Timberwolves walked into the Frost Bank Center as significant underdogs and walked out with a 104-102 win on the back 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, and now Game 2 in San Antonio looms as a must-win to avoid going down 0-2 with the series shifting to Minnesota.
Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101 — Detroit announce themselves
The Pistons made their first home Round 2 game in 18 years count. Detroit beat Cleveland 111-101 at Little Caesars Arena this morning AEST behind a 32-point, 9-assist night from Cade Cunningham and a defensive effort that took away the Cavaliers’ transition game. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 28 but couldn’t drag enough teammates with him.
The first half was tight, the Pistons opened the second half with a 14-2 run, and Cleveland never quite got the deficit back inside single digits in the fourth. For Detroit — a 1-seed but the youngest favourite in the playoffs — this was an important confidence-building win after needing seven games to get past Orlando in Round 1. For Cleveland, who also went seven against Toronto, the rest disadvantage and travel adjustment showed.
Thunder 108, Lakers 90 — chalk in OKC
The most-anticipated matchup of the 2026 Playoffs went exactly the way Vegas said it would. The defending-champion Thunder beat the Lakers 108-90 at Paycom Center this morning AEST in a game that was never really close after halftime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 33 points; Chet Holmgren added 19 and 11; Jalen Williams had 22.
For the Lakers, Luka Dončić scored 28 but had to work for every basket against OKC’s swarming defence. LeBron James added 19. The Lakers shot just 39 percent from the field and were outrebounded 51-39. The 18-point margin felt about right — and even that flatters the Lakers, who trailed by 25 in the third quarter before garbage-time scoring tightened it. Game 2 on Friday morning AEST is already a must-win for LA.
Don’t miss any of Round 2 in Australia
Knicks vs 76ers and Pistons vs Cavaliers on Kayo and Disney+. Thunder vs Lakers and Spurs vs Wolves require NBA League Pass.Start free Kayo trial →
What Game 1 told us
The Spurs have a problem. Losing Game 1 at home to a 6-seed is the kind of result that bends a series. San Antonio’s depth advantage, their seed, their home court — all of it nullified by a single Anthony Edwards three. They have to win Game 2.
The 76ers got found out. The Round 1 magic ran into a far better team in Round 2. Philadelphia will need to find a way to get more from Maxey and Edgecombe to make this competitive — losing by 39 in Game 1 is not the kind of result you adjust your way out of.
The Pistons are real. Detroit looked the part of a 1-seed for the first time in this playoffs. Cunningham at his best is the kind of star you can build a deep playoff run around.
The Thunder remain the championship favourite. Nothing about Game 1 was surprising — but for the doubters who thought OKC’s regular-season dominance might not translate, this was a clear reminder. They are the team to beat.
Game 2 schedule — AEST
| Day (AEST) | Time | Matchup | Where to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 only |
The Spurs vs Wolves Game 2 at 11:30am AEST tomorrow is the most must-watch game of the week — San Antonio cannot afford to drop a second straight at home. Thunder vs Lakers Game 2 on Friday is the marquee fixture of the playoffs and remains NBA League Pass only in Australia.
How to watch the rest of Round 2 in Australia
Round 2 is split across three platforms in Australia. Both Eastern Conference series — Knicks vs 76ers and Pistons vs Cavaliers — are on ESPN, which means they’re available on Kayo Sports, ESPN Australia and Disney+. The Spurs vs Wolves series is on TNT, which is available on NBA League Pass and Disney+. The Lakers vs Thunder series is on NBC, which means NBA League Pass is the only way to watch it live in Australia.
For the full platform breakdown, see our How to Watch NBA in Australia 2026 guide.
What’s next?
- Live US Sports TV Guide — every game with AEST times and live scores
- 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.