NBA Playoffs: Rockets Survive, Celtics and Spurs Take 3-1 Leads, Raptors Even Series

The first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs continued to deliver high drama on Sunday. From a generational talent asserting his dominance in the Pacific Northwest to a desperate squad fighting for survival in Texas, yesterday’s slate shifted the gravity of four major series.

Here is the recap of yesterday’s playoff action.

Wemby’s Return: Spurs Overwhelm Blazers

After a brief scare in concussion protocol, Victor Wembanyama returned to the floor like a man possessed, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 114–93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

• The Stats: Wembanyama dominated every facet of the game, finishing with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 blocks. His defensive presence in the second half effectively turned the Moda Center into a “no-fly zone,” as Portland struggled to find any rhythm at the rim. De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 28 points, while adding six rebounds and seven assists.
• Series Status: With the win, the Spurs take a 3–1 lead as the series heads back to San Antonio, where they have a chance to close it out on Tuesday.

Rockets Stave Off Sweep vs. Lakers

The Houston Rockets refused to go quietly into the night. Facing elimination at home, Houston used a stifling defensive effort to blow past the Los Angeles Lakers 115–96, avoiding a first-round sweep.

• The Catalyst: Amen Thompson led the charge with a versatile 23 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. However, the real story was the Rockets’ defense, which forced 23 Lakers turnovers. DeAndre Ayton led Los Angeles with 19 points, but a listless Lakers performance allowed Houston to control the game from the second quarter onward.
• Series Status: The Lakers still lead the series 3–1, but the Rockets have successfully forced a Game 5 in Los Angeles.

Toronto’s Grit: Raptors Even Series with Cavs

In what was arguably the ugliest — but most hard-fought — game of the day, the Toronto Raptors ground out a 93–89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena.

• The Gritty Win: Both teams struggled through a “horrendous” shooting afternoon, but the Raptors’ veterans provided the late-game composure. Brandon Ingram (23 points), Scottie Barnes (23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists), and a locked-in bench unit made a final 10–2 push in the closing minutes to seal the win.
• Series Status: The series is now deadlocked at 2–2. Game 5 returns to Ohio on Wednesday, making this a best-of-three sprint to the finish.

Celtics Spoil Embiid’s Return, Take 3-1 Lead

The Boston Celtics put on a masterclass in modern basketball, crushing the Philadelphia 76ers 128–96 to push the Sixers to the brink of elimination.

• The Performance: Despite Joel Embiid making a heroic return just 17 days after an appendectomy (scoring 26 points), he was no match for Boston’s depth. Payton Pritchard was the surprise star, exploding for 32 points on six 3-pointers. Jayson Tatum added 30 points and 11 assists, while the Celtics as a team rained down 24 triples.
• Series Status: Boston leads 3–1. The Sixers, who have lost two games in this series by 30+ points, face an uphill battle as they head back to TD Garden for Game 5.

Sunday’s Scoreboard Recap