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The NBA Playoffs are underway. The early story was the Orlando Magic giving the Detroit Pistons issues. Orlando entered the playoffs confidently, and it has shown through two games. The biggest story is the health of San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama. The 2025-2026 Defensive Player of the Year suffered a concussion on Tuesday night. He is questionable for Friday’s game against Portland. Here are the top 8 teams positioned to win the NBA Finals:
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There was early panic after Detroit’s loss in game one. However, the series continues. The Pistons will right the ship and move past Orlando.
Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the New York Knicks react during the shooting stars competition during the 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
New York was aware that Atlanta would be a tough matchup. The Knicks enter Thursday tied at one game apiece. The team must get a win on Thursday night and carry the momentum for the rest of the series.
Boston enters Friday’s game three tied with Philadelphia at one game apiece. The Celtics cannot give the 76ers any glimpse of hope. The team is light-years ahead of Philadelphia and needs to win out. It won’t be easy, but Boston is the superior team.
The series with Minnesota is tied 1-1. Denver knew this would be a tough matchup and is prepared for a fight. Anthony Edwards is going to get his, but the Nuggets must mitigate the damage done by the rest of the Timberwolves roster. This series will go down to the wire.
Cleveland is up 2-0 and firing on all cylinders. The Raptors haven’t found a way to get Brandon Ingram going, and time is running out. The Cavaliers will enjoy the extra days of rest should they sweep the series.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Lakers have a comfortable two-game lead heading into Friday’s game three with Houston. The team has gotten a boost from Luke Kennard, and he’s single-handedly relieved any burden of Luka Doncic’s absence from the lineup. If Los Angeles goes up 3-0, the series will likely end in four games.
After game one, San Antonio seemed to have control of the series. Unfortunately, the Spurs dropped game two and saw Victor Wembanyama suffer a concussion. His availability for Friday’s game three is uncertain, and this could not be a worse time for the Spurs to be without their big man. San Antonio is still favored to win the series, and they need to get Wembanyama healthy for the remainder of the playoffs.
The top-ranked team is cruising. The Thunder’s defense has been too much for the Suns to handle. Phoenix’s issues, during the regular season, were consistent offense, and that does not bode well against the league’s top-ranked defensive team. Oklahoma City is the team to beat and is the favorite to win a second consecutive championship.
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MORE: NBA legend Paul Pierce makes major admission in paternity case
8. Detroit Pistons
There was early panic after Detroit’s loss in game one. However, the series continues. The Pistons will right the ship and move past Orlando.
7. New York Knicks
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Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the New York Knicks react during the shooting stars competition during the 2026 NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
New York was aware that Atlanta would be a tough matchup. The Knicks enter Thursday tied at one game apiece. The team must get a win on Thursday night and carry the momentum for the rest of the series.
6. Boston Celtics
Boston enters Friday’s game three tied with Philadelphia at one game apiece. The Celtics cannot give the 76ers any glimpse of hope. The team is light-years ahead of Philadelphia and needs to win out. It won’t be easy, but Boston is the superior team.
5. Denver Nuggets
The series with Minnesota is tied 1-1. Denver knew this would be a tough matchup and is prepared for a fight. Anthony Edwards is going to get his, but the Nuggets must mitigate the damage done by the rest of the Timberwolves roster. This series will go down to the wire.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is up 2-0 and firing on all cylinders. The Raptors haven’t found a way to get Brandon Ingram going, and time is running out. The Cavaliers will enjoy the extra days of rest should they sweep the series.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Lakers have a comfortable two-game lead heading into Friday’s game three with Houston. The team has gotten a boost from Luke Kennard, and he’s single-handedly relieved any burden of Luka Doncic’s absence from the lineup. If Los Angeles goes up 3-0, the series will likely end in four games.
2. San Antonio Spurs
After game one, San Antonio seemed to have control of the series. Unfortunately, the Spurs dropped game two and saw Victor Wembanyama suffer a concussion. His availability for Friday’s game three is uncertain, and this could not be a worse time for the Spurs to be without their big man. San Antonio is still favored to win the series, and they need to get Wembanyama healthy for the remainder of the playoffs.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The top-ranked team is cruising. The Thunder’s defense has been too much for the Suns to handle. Phoenix’s issues, during the regular season, were consistent offense, and that does not bode well against the league’s top-ranked defensive team. Oklahoma City is the team to beat and is the favorite to win a second consecutive championship.
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