Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama's concussion clouds the Spurs' 2-1 series lead over Portland, but San Antonio's depth stepped up in Game 3's 120-108 comeback win, erasing a 15-point third-quarter hole behind Stephon CastlePlayer·Stephon Castle's 33 points and Dylan HarperPlayer·Dylan Harper's career-high 27 points with 10 rebounds. Luke KornetPlayer·Luke Kornet notched 14 points and 10 boards filling in for the Defensive Player of the Year, who averages 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 3.1 blocks but sat out Friday while progressing, per coach Mitch JohnsonCoach·Mitch Johnson. Game 4 tips at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN, with the Spurs favored by 5.5 as Wembanyama's availability remains uncertain.
Boston reclaimed momentum in Game 3 against Philadelphia, dominating from deep with 20 of 47 threes made en route to victory and home-court advantage in this No. 2 vs. No. 7 Eastern Conference clash. Jayson TatumPlayer·Jayson Tatum and Jaylen BrownPlayer·Jaylen Brown each poured in 25 points, underscoring the Celtics' 56-26 regular-season pedigree after finishing second in the East. The 76ers, seventh at 45-37, leaned on Tyrese MaxeyPlayer·Tyrese Maxey amid Joel EmbiidPlayer·Joel Embiid's appendectomy recovery—he's doubtful but did individual work Saturday, with coach Nick NurseCoach·Nick Nurse eyeing a Sunday shootaround update. VJ EdgecombePlayer·VJ Edgecombe grabbed a double-double but went 0-for-7 from three. Celtics enter Game 4 at 7 p.m. EDT on NBC/Peacock as 7.5-point road favorites with a 213.5 total, poised to push toward a conference semifinals berth.
LeBron JamesPlayer·LeBron James authored another playoff legend in the Lakers' 112-108 overtime Game 3 triumph over Houston, rallying from six points down in the final 30 seconds with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and three steals across 45-plus minutes at age 41—including a tying three-pointer. His 187th postseason win marks his 15th time leading a 3-0 series, despite missing Luka DoncicPlayer·Luka Doncic and Austin ReavesPlayer·Austin Reaves. The No. 4 seed Lakers (53-29) face elimination-minded Rockets (52-30, No. 5 West) at 9:30 p.m. EDT on NBC/Peacock, where Houston is favored by 8.5 and Kevin DurantPlayer·Kevin Durant (knee) is questionable after missing Games 1 and 3.
Toronto staved off a sweep threat with a 126-104 Game 3 rout of Cleveland, as Scottie BarnesPlayer·Scottie Barnes and RJ BarrettPlayer·RJ Barrett each erupted for career playoff-high 33 points, outscoring the Cavs 43-23 in the fourth to end Cleveland's 12-game playoff win streak over the Raptors. The No. 4 Cavaliers (52-30) hold a 2-1 edge over the No. 5 Raptors (46-36), but Toronto rules out starting guard Immanuel QuickleyPlayer·Immanuel Quickley for the first round due to a hamstring setback. Game 4 starts at 1 p.m. EDT on ESPN, with Cleveland favored by 3.5.
These first-round battles in the 2025/26 playoffs carry weighty series implications: San Antonio eyes a 3-1 cushion without its cornerstone, Boston aims to exploit Philly's big-man questions, the Lakers chase a sweep, and Toronto fights for survival on home floor. Momentum shifts and injury updates will dictate the path forward in a postseason defined by star power and resilience.
This article was generated by AI (sonar-pro). Learn more.
