The NBA playoffs conference semifinals for the 2025-26 season are officially set. The confirmation of the last classifieds took place on Sunday night (3), after two intense clashes decided only in Jogo 7. Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers overcame their opponents at home to advance in the competition.
Cleveland Cavaliers secured their place by defeating Toronto Raptors in a physical and technical recovery match. Já o Detroit Pistons needed a historic turnaround in the series against Orlando Magic to stay alive in the hunt for the title. With the results, the league now enters the phase that separates the four best teams on each side of the North American map.
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Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers confirm favoritism in Jogo 7
Detroit Pistons staged one of the biggest reactions of this postseason so far. The Geórgia team lost the series 3-1 and seemed eliminated, but managed to win three games in a row against Orlando Magic. In this Sunday’s decisive duel, the defense prevailed and ensured the celebration of the local fans, who saw the team “reborn” at the most critical moment of the year.
Para o Cleveland Cavaliers, the classification came after a physical series against the Canadians of Toronto Raptors. Ohio’s team managed to maintain control of the pace in the last quarter to avoid surprises. Agora, the squad led by young stars will have the challenge of facing Pistons, reviving a rivalry that marked the last decade in the playoffs. The recent history favors Cavs, who won the last knockout meetings between the two franchises.
Programação details of the clashes at Conferência Leste
The Leste semifinals begin immediately this Monday (4) with the duel between New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Os Knicks arrives rested after eliminating Atlanta Hawks in six matches. The team is looking to break a streak of almost three decades without reaching the league finals, counting on the massive support of the fans at Madison Square Garden.
On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers arrive with high morale after defeating the favorite Boston Celtics in Jogo 7. The Pensilvânia team overcame the difficult path coming from the play-in tournament and can count on dominant performances from Joel Embiid. The Cameroonian pivot has been the pillar of the team alongside Tyrese Maxey and the experienced Paul George. Confira below is the complete schedule for this series:
- Jogo 1: Knicks x 76ers – Segunda Thursday (05/04), at 9pm
- Jogo 2: Knicks x 76ers – Quarta Thursday (05/06), at 8pm
- Jogo 3: 76ers x Knicks – Sexta Thursday (05/08), at 8pm
- Jogo 4: 76ers x Knicks – Domingo (10/05), at 4:30 p.m.
- Jogo 5: Knicks x 76ers – Terça Friday (12/05), if necessary
- Jogo 6: 76ers x Knicks – Quinta Friday (14/05), if necessary
- Jogo 7: Knicks x 76ers – Domingo (5/17) if needed
Equilíbrio marks Conferência Oeste’s duels at this stage
On the Oeste side, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder awaits Los Angeles Lakers for a series that promises to be historic. Thunder prevailed in the first round by sweeping Phoenix Suns without suffering defeats, guaranteeing valuable days of rest for their starters. The Oklahoma franchise enters this phase as the team to beat in the Conferência Oeste.
Os Lakers, in turn, surpassed Houston Rockets in six games, even without counting the presence of Luka Doncic in part of the series. The Californian team demonstrated roster depth to contain Kevin Durant and the Texans. The expectation now revolves around the physical condition of the Los Angeles stars to face the speed imposed by the Thunder system.
Victor Wembanyama leads San Antonio Spurs against Minnesota
The last defined confrontation pits San Antonio Spurs against Minnesota Timberwolves. Os Spurs advanced after dispatching Portland Trail Blazers 4-1, with center Victor Wembanyama confirming his status as the league’s global star. The Texas team showed efficient collective basketball and solid defense throughout the first round.
The challenge will be to stop Minnesota Timberwolves, who eliminated Denver Nuggets from Nikola Jokic in a series marked by overcoming. Minneapolis’s team suffers from important injuries, such as the definitive absence of Donte DiVincenzo. However, the board and technical committee expect Anthony Edwards to return in the first half of the series against San Antonio. The first game takes place this Monday night, broadcast on Brasil.