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Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, Conference Semifinals | Timberwolves, Spurs tip off

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Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are hosting the 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series on NBC and Peacock.

Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Monday’s action.

We’re into the Conference Semfinals, with the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks renewing their longtime rivalry (8 ET), followed by Anthony Edwards’ return against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs (9:30 ET).

What we know about Monday’s games:

  • Teams that win Game 1 in the Conference Semifinals go on to win 73.6% of the time in the NBA Playoffs.

10:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026

6 blocks for Victor Wembanyama

Wemby (2 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 6 blk) and Rudy Gobert (6 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk) are battling in the paint as the Timberwolves and Spurs go back-and-forth on NBC and Peacock.

The game’s seen nine lead changes and five ties so far, with both teams vying to establish an advantage.

10:19 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Timberwolves, Spurs dueling

29-all with 8:48 to go in the second quarter in San Antonio.

Stephon Castle (10 pts) leads all scorers, while Anthony Edwards (7 pts on 3-of-4 shooting) looks comfortable in his first game back from injury.

9:48 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Timberwolves and Spurs underway

Starting off with a bang on NBC and Peacock, as the two best French centers of the generation square off.

9:25 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Blazing on Broadway

Jalen Brunson (27 pts) scored the last 11 points for the Knicks, who take a 74-53 lead into the break.

“Just being aggressive moving the ball, and then being aggressive, getting in the paint,” said OG Anunoby (13 pts) of the Knicks 32-16 advantage in point in the paint.

Tyrese Maxey (13 pts) is one of four double-digit scorers for the Sixers.

New York played 11 players in the first half, demonstrating their depth.

9:14 ET / MAY 4, 2026

New York building a lead

55-39 with 3:46 to go in the half, as Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) helps the Knicks build a 24-8 advantage in points in the paint.

OG Anunoby (13 pts on 5-of-6 shooting) has gotten loose in the period as well.

8:55 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Knicks lead 33-25 after one

New York has a 12-2 advantage in points in the paint early, as the Knicks take control on their home floor in Madison Square Garden.

8:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Brunson off to a hot start

Jalen Brunson (14 pts, 6-of-7 shooting) is dictating the offense early, as the Knicks lead 21-19 with 3:39 to go in the first quarter. He’s gone at Paul George and Quentin Grimes in recent possessions.

7:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Starting Lineup: 76ers-Knicks, Game 1

Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey will lead the Knicks and 76ers into their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, starting tonight at 8 ET on NBC and Peacock.

Philadelphia

  • PG Tyrese Maxey
    • Who will guard Tyrese Maxey? Mikal Bridges would seem like the best bet. In the regular season, Bridges logged 18:48 against Maxey — second-most in the Association — giving up 20 points on 10-of-20 shooting.
  • SG VJ Edgecombe
    • Edgecombe was a crucial swing factor in the Sixers’ wins over the Celtics. He was 0-for-16 in their three losses and 15-of-43 (45.4%) in their wins.
  • SF Paul George
    • The Anunoby-Paul George matchup will be fascinating to watch. George has outscored Anunoby 20.5 to 13.0 in their previous games, holding an 8-5 record. Can OG swing it on the downside of George’s career?
  • PF Kelly Oubre Jr.
    • Oubre Jr. is always an irritant, and a talented scorer on the right night. He and Josh Hart could battle to make energy plays in this series.
  • C Joel Embiid
    • Embiid played inspired basketball against the Celtics, culminating in 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in Game 7. Can he keep up his form against the formidable Knicks?

New York:

  • PG Jalen Brunson
    • Who will guard Jalen Brunson? VJ Edgecombe, who shut down Derrick White in the second half of the Sixers’ Game 7 victory over the Celtics, has the size, strength, activity level and length to disrupt the Knicks’ captain.
  • SG Josh Hart
    • In wins this season, Hart averaged 13.0 ppg, 7.8 reb and 5.0 ast. In losses, 10.0 ppg, 6.6 reb and 4.4 ast.
  • SF Mikal Bridges
    • A native of Philadelphia, Bridges was drafted by the 76ers in 2018 before dealt to the Phoenix Suns. Six years later, he suits up against his hometown squad.
  • PF OG Anunoby
    • Anunoby shot 56.7% from 3-point range in the Knicks’ series against the Atlanta Hawks on his way to 21.1 ppg.
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns
    • Two of the games’ best centers go head-to-head in this series, as Towns faces Joel Embiid. They’ve been physical in past matchups. Will sparks fly tonight?

7:00 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Monday’s injury report

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are available for the 76ers, while Jeremy Sochan is available for the Knicks.

Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosumu are out for the Timberwolves, while Anthony Edwards is available.

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