2026 NBA playoffs: Conference finals takeaways - ESPN

The conference finals of the 2026 NBA playoffs are here, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game of the Eastern and Western matchups.

The No. 3-seeded New York Knicks are facing the No. 4-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers after the Cavaliers prevailed in seven games over the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons.

In the West, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder clash with the San Antonio Spurs as the top two seeds battle in a highly anticipated series.

With four teams one round away from their shots at the Larry O'Brien Trophy, here's what matters most in both conferences and what to watch in the series.

Jump to a series:
Knicks-Cavaliers
Thunder-Spurs

More coverage:
Schedules and results | Offseason guides

Game 1: Spurs 122, Thunder 115

Game 2: Thunder 122, Spurs 113

Game 3: Thunder 123, Spurs 108

Biggest takeaway from Game 3:

The Spurs' 15-0 run to open the game was the second-longest scoring run to start a playoff game in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98), but the Thunder weren't fazed. Oklahoma City quickly cut the lead to five points just before the end of the quarter. The Thunder took their first lead early in the second quarter and seized control the rest of the game, outscoring the Spurs in each quarter after the first. Oklahoma City overwhelmed San Antonio with its depth. For the second straight game, four OKC reserves scored in double figures. The 76 bench points — led by Jared McCain's 24 — set an OKC-era franchise record, surpassing the 57 from Game 2 of this series. — Tim MacMahon

Game 4: Oklahoma City at San Antonio (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)

What to watch in Game 4:

The Spurs sped out of the gates in Game 3 with an appropriate sense of urgency and raised their physicality on both