Friday Night Fights: Celtics, Lakers, and Spurs Reclaim Control

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The first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs saw a trio of road victories on Friday, as the favorites flexed their muscles to seize control of their respective series. While the Celtics and Spurs used superstar performances to bounce back from earlier stumbles, the Lakers continued their methodical march toward a potential sweep.

Game 3 & 4 Results: Friday, April 24

Matchup	Final Score	Series Status
(2) Celtics @ (7) 76ers	BOS 108, PHI 100	BOS leads 2-1
(4) Lakers @ (5) Rockets	LAL 112, HOU 108	LAL leads 3-0
(2) Spurs @ (7) Trail Blazers	SAS 120, POR 108	SAS leads 2-1

The Headlines

Tatum’s Masterclass Reclaims Home Court

After a shock loss in Game 2, the Boston Celtics silenced the Philly faithful with a gritty 108–100 victory. Jayson Tatum was spectacular in his continued return from injury, raining down five triples and finishing with 25 points. Jaylen Brown matched him with 25 of his own, scoring eight straight in the closing minutes to fend off a late 76ers surge. Despite Tyrese Maxey’s game-high 31 points, Philadelphia missed the interior presence of Joel Embiid (appendectomy recovery) as Boston dominated the fourth-quarter glass.

Lakers Push Rockets to the Brink

The Los Angeles Lakers moved one step closer to the second round with a tense 112–108 win in Houston. In a game of runs, the Lakers’ veteran poise proved too much for the younger Rockets. LeBron James controlled the tempo with a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists), while Anthony Davis anchored the paint with five blocks. Houston’s Alperen Şengün put up a valiant 28 points, but a late turnover in the final seconds sealed the Rockets’ fate. They now face a must-win Game 4 to avoid elimination.

Wemby out in Portland

After suffering a scare in Game 2 and playing Game 3 without Victor Wembanyama, the San Antonio Spurs won 120–108 over the Blazers. Stephon Castle scored 33 points, and Dylan Harper added 27 and 10 rebounds to lead the way for the Spurs.

The weekend continues with four high-stakes matchups. All eyes are on Atlanta, where the Knicks face a defining moment in their season.

Friday was a reminder that in the playoffs, depth and experience usually prevail. Boston and San Antonio have successfully stolen back home-court advantage, while the Lakers are on the verge of the first sweep of the 2026 postseason. For Houston, the math is now simple: win four straight or go home.