NBA Playoffs 2026: Three Game 7s! What each showdown will decide

Its first round 2026 NBA Playoffs Delivered a little bit of everything: a sweep, upset, thrilling finish and historic comeback.

And for just the second time since the round went to a best-of-7 in 2003, it will yield three Game 7s. (There were five in the opening round of the 2014 playoffs.)

This year all the activities are in the eastern region New York Knicks Wait for the winner Boston Celtics–Philadelphia 76ers The second round at the other end of the series East bracket remains vacant as of Sunday Detroit Pistons–Orlando Magic And Cleveland Cavaliers–Toronto Raptors The showdown will decide the other conference semifinal matchup.

What drama will Game 7 provide? NBA insiders Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Zach Crum and Ohm Yongmisuk examine the keys to ending each series and what each team needs to do moving forward.

Go to a Game 7:
(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic
(2) Celtics vs. (7) 76ers
(4) Cavs vs. (5) Raptors

Game 7 information
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET (NBC/Peacock)
ESPN Analysis: BOS 74.5%

If the 76ers win they _____.

Stick to the script. Coach Nick Nurse has found a formula that works and is running it. Joel Embiid Either get kicked out of double-teams or attacked when guarded one-on-one. Boston has no answer for slowing down Tyrese MaxeyAnd the Electrifying Guard knows it. And Paul GeorgeFor perhaps the first time as a 76er, the team looks like the max contract player signed nearly two years ago.

Philadelphia won without needing to outscore Boston. Embiid was 6-for-18 from the floor Thursday, while the 76ers went 11-for-33 from 3-point range and missed plenty of open looks. If they get in, especially early, it’s a game-changer for the 76ers’ chances.

But in the last two games — and especially the last six quarters — the 76ers have found something. If they can apply it one more time, maybe they can finally beat Boston in a playoff series for the first time since 1982. — Bontemps

If the Celtics win they _____.

Hit them 3 pointers. During the last four playoffs under Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics are 17-1 when they hit at least 40% of their 3s and 19-19 when they don’t. The Celtics’ success in this first-round series hinged on their 3-point accuracy.

Of course, it doesn’t that Easy for the Celtics, who still have no answer to Embiid’s manipulation of defense over the past few games. They need to control the offensive boards and possession game. But, more than anything, the Celtics need to make their 3s, which have become the foundation of Majulla’s offense. — Bontemps

The X factor of Game 7 is _____.

Nehemiah Quetta. Boston’s starting center has been one of the most improved players in the NBA this season and has been a pleasant surprise for Boston. Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis And Luke Cornett Gone last summer. The Celtics had a team-best plus-13.2 net rating during the regular season with Quetta on the floor.

But Quetta struggled a lot against Philadelphia — thanks in no small part to being matched up against Embiid. In six games, Quetta has committed more fouls (24) than shots (18). And if he can’t stay on the floor, Boston has to go Nikola Vucevic or Luca GarzaBoth have been overwhelming defensively in this series.

No one expects Quetta to match Embiid’s production. But in Game 7, Quetta will have to stay out of foul trouble and give Boston the rebounds, tough screens and stingy interior defense he’s provided all season. — Hugs

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Game 7 information
Sunday, 3:30 pm ET (ABC)
ESPN Analysis: IT 78.9%

If the Magic win they _____.

Deliver the first punch to Detroit with physicality on defense and in the paint. Orlando has the blueprint to steal Game 7 in Detroit.

They stole Game 1 with that formula. Get ready That play started flying around the court like a free safety. Wendell Carter Jr. Paint had a bigger presence in comparison Jalen Duren. Paolo Banchero Knew when to score and deliver when needed.

The magic, though, was there Franz Wagner In Game 1. Wagner (right calf strain) is not expected to play in Game 7 on Sunday. With him out, Magic will need role players Tristan da Silva, Anthony Black And Jamal Cain Step up — Yongmisuk

If the Pistons win they _____.

They are more physical inside.

Cade Cunningham The best player in this series and will be able to score when needed, especially if Wagner isn’t on the court to try to slow him down. But he needs help.

That starts with Duren, who needs to win battles in the paint and establish the physicality that has made the Pistons the best team in the East.

But more than anything, the Pistons need to play the same suffocating defense that brought them back from down 24 in the second half of Game 6, lest they need another stunning, come-from-behind win to avoid a disappointing first-round exit. — Yongmisuk

The X factor of Game 7 is _____.

Detroit’s 3-point shooting. It’s common knowledge that the Pistons struggle from distance, finishing 28th in 3-pointers during the regular season (11.0 per game) and 17th in 3-point percentage (35.6%).

They’ve been much worse in the playoffs, last ranking (8.7 per game) and percentage (29.7%). Duncan Robinson His normal values ​​shot up, and Cade Cunningham Has been average from deep, but every other Piston is in a major long-range slump.

But no NBA team this Bad on 3-pointers over a large enough sample. Can Detroit finally get off the fence and make some shots at home in Game 7? — Hugs

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Game 7 information
Sunday, 7:30 pm ET (NBC/Peacock)
ESPN Analysis: CLE 60.1%

If the Raptors win they _____

Make Game 7 a defensive battle. Toronto has prided itself on winning with defense playing harder than Cleveland for most of this series, creating turnovers, diving for loose balls and closing the talent gap. As the series continued, Toronto gained a lot of confidence, its young players settled in and its defensive intensity increased. The Raptors will enter a Game 7 on the road, where all the pressure will shift to the home team. — Collier

If the Cavaliers won they _____.

Toronto limited the conversion basket. When Cleveland avoided turnovers and prevented Toronto from putting up points in transition, the Raptors’ offense stalled. The Cavs had just one turnover in their fourth quarter rally in Game 6 and it was almost enough to clinch the series.

Cavs need more from star guards Donovan Mitchell And James Harden On offense, but the backcourt defense mostly kept the Raptors in check in the half court. If the Cavs can stop giving up easy baskets, they should secure another win at home to advance. — Collier

The X factor of Game 7 is _____.

tough His playoff track record is no secret, but the numbers are stunning nonetheless: In seven career Game 7s, Harden is averaging 19.3 points on 35% shooting, including 22% on 3-pointers. He turned in a strong performance in his first career Game 7 — against Oklahoma City in 2011 — but has shot 41% or worse in each since.

Harden’s season has ended in a Game 7 in three of the last five seasons; In 2023 and 2025, he failed to reach double digits in points.

Cleveland needs a better version of its point guard against Toronto’s stifling defense. Notably, Harden has scored more than 20 points in each win against the Raptors this series, but has been under 20 in each loss. — Hugs