NBA playoff opening weekend delivered blowouts, missing stars, and little reason for casual fans to tune in

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Coming off one of its most disappointing regular seasons in recent memory, the NBA’s opening playoff weekend did little to change public perception of the league.

Consider that the Lakers’ win over the Rockets was the only one of six games not decided by double digits. Los Angeles beat Houston 107–98. Still, the game lacked star power, with Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, and Austin Reaves all sidelined by injury.

Of course, fans are used to stars missing games. During the regular season, only 32.7% of nationally televised games featured a full slate of star players.

If there were ever a case for a mercy rule in basketball, this weekend made it. The Thunder won Sunday by 35. The Celtics beat the 76ers by 22. Both games were effectively over midway through the second quarter.

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And unlike Major League Baseball, the first round of the NBA postseason features a full seven-game series format. Even with multiple sweeps, fans will likely wait more than two weeks for the second round.

Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley sits courtside during an NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

Maybe it’s time to check out the hockey postseason until the NBA becomes more competitive. That’s Charles Barkley’s advice, after all.

"Thank God for hockey," Barkley said on air during halftime of the 76ers-Celtics game.

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And the baseball regular season. WrestleMania. Golf. Just about anything else. Every league