Recap: 2026 NBA Playoffs, Conference Semifinals | Knicks, Timberwolves win as Wemby sets all-time Playoff blocks record

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves took home court advantage by defeating the Spurs in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals series.

That’s it for Monday night!

Enjoy the best of the

2026 NBA Playoffs

, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Monday’s action.

Jalen Brunson (35 pts) and the Knicks dominated the 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, winning

137-98

while shooting 61.4% from the field.

Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 15 reb, 12 blk) set the all-time record for blocks in a Playoff game, but the Timberwolves took Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals series, surviving a game-winning 3-point attempt from Julian Champagnie to win

104-102

.

Last night’s live blog: Pistons, Cavaliers win Game 7s to advance

2026 NBA Playoffs Hub

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What we know about Monday’s games:

Teams that win Game 1 in the Conference Semifinals go on to win 73.6% of the time in the NBA Playoffs.

Postgame Pressers:

76ers-Knicks

Timberwolves-Spurs

These series will reconvene Wednesday with a doubleheader on ESPN.

76ers-Knicks, 7 ET

Timberwolves-Spurs, 9:30 ET

1:00 ET / MAY 5, 2026

One time for Victor Wembanyama

WEMBY (22y, 120d): Youngest player in NBA history with a triple-double including blocks in a postseason game since '73–74 👀

👽 11 PTS

👽 15 REB (postseason career-high)

👽 12 BLK (NBA postseason record)

Also becomes the first player in NBA history to record 10+ PTS, 15+ REB,…

pic.twitter.com/uW02m4qfIK

— NBA (@NBA)

May 5, 2026

12:41 ET / MAY 5, 2026

One time for Anthony Edwards

ANT MAKES HIS RETURN, WOLVES SECURE WEST SEMIFINALS GAME 1 WIN ‼️

🐜 18 PTS (11 in 4Q)

🐜 8-13 FGM

🐜 25 MIN

@Timberwolves

will seek a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday at 9:30pm/et on ESPN 🍿

NBA Playoffs presented by

@Google

pic.twitter.com/EgndbOlAp0

12:38 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Monday’s results

Knicks 137, 76ers 98

Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102

Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 15 reb, 12 blk) is your top performer of the night, breaking the all-time record for blocks in a postseason game.

Mark Eaton (1985), Hakeem Olajuwon (1990) and Andrew Bynum (2012) previously held the record of 10.

12:35 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Postgame Presser: Timberwolves-Spurs

LIVE: Timberwolves/Spurs Game 1 Postgame Presser

https://t.co/oyeTAOuERL

12:13 ET / MAY 5, 2026

The Spurs had a shot, but the Timberwolves win

104-102, as Julian Champagnie (17 pts) got a look at a game-winning 3-pointer, but it was just wide.

“Great look, great balance, just off to the left,” said Jamal Crawford.

Anthony Edwards (18 pts, 11 in the fourth quarter) lifted the Timberwolves in his return game.

“Resilience — that’s what we’ve got,” said Edwards.

Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 15 reb, 12 blk) had a historic night for the Spurs, but the Timberwolves held out to win.

The game, a tight affair throughout, saw 19 lead changes and 17 ties.

12:10 ET / MAY 5, 2026

Spurs cut it to four

104-100 with 38 seconds to go, as Victor Wembanyama (11 pts, 15 reb, 12 blk) streaks to the rim and dunks on Jaden McDaniels to keep the Spurs alive.

11:58 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Mike Conley Jr. from the corner

The Ohio State product (12 pts, 6 ast) has been breaking Spurs’ fans hearts for the better part of 15 years now.

He just knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Timberwolves a 95-86 lead with 4:09 remaining in Game 1.

Victor Wembanyama with his 12TH BLOCK of the game…

But, Mike Conley's 👌 extends MIN's lead to 9!

pic.twitter.com/H7B1aUxf9F

11:40 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Timberwolves take the lead

78-77, as Anthony Edwards (15 pts) hits a stepback 3-pointer over Victor Wembanyama. The Timberwolves are on an 16-7 run.

11:34 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Kiss the sky, Keldon

Keldon Johnson (11 pts) just sank a buzzer-beating floater to give the Spurs a 72-69 lead after three quarters, delighting the fans in attendance at Frost Bank Center.

“Our Sixth Man of the Year,” said three-time Kia Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. “Put it in the air and let God touch it first.”

Dylan Harper (16 pts) has continued his strong play, attacking the rim at will, while Jaden McDaniels (14 pts) has nearly matched him for the Timberwolves.

11:25 ET / MAY 4, 2026

‘No dancing with the basketball’

Chris Finch advised his team, just before Victor Wembanyama (8 pts, 10 reb, 10 blk) set a franchise record for most blocks in a Playoff game, passing Tim Duncan, who had nine.

With the swat, Wemby tied Mark Eaton (1985), Hakeem Olajuwon (1990) and Andrew Bynum (2012) for most blocks in a Playoff game.

11:11 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Spurs and Timberwolves in a tight one

Victor Wembanyama (8 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 8 blk) has been a terror on defense, but the Spurs and Timberwolves are tied at 55 with 6:00 to go in the third quarter.

“He balances humility and being so driven, all in the same player,” said Jamal Crawford of Wemby.

11:00 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Postgame Presser: 76ers-Knicks

LIVE: 76ers/Knicks Game 1 Postgame Presser

https://t.co/lGpP3PDnxV

10:55 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Knicks roll over 76ers 137-98

The Knicks dominated the 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, shooting 63.1% from the field on their way to the win.

Jalen Brunson (35 pts on 12-of-18 shooting) was locked in from the field, as were OG Anunoby (18 pts on 7-of-8 shooting), Mikal Bridges (17 pts on 7-of-10 shooting) and Karl-Anthony Towns (17 pts on 7-of-11 shooting).

New York went 19-of-37 (51.4%) from 3-point range, controlled the boards 39-28 and earned a 58-32 advantage in points in the paint.

Paul George (17 pts) was the top man for the Sixers.

10:50 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Spurs, Timberwolves tied at 45 at the half

Dylan Harper (11 pts) leads all scorers, while Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Naz Reid each have 7 points to lead the Wolves.

It’s been a defensive battle so far — Minnesota’s shooting 41.7% from the field, while San Antonio’s at 38.1%.

10:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026

6 blocks for Victor Wembanyama

Wemby (2 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 6 blk) and Rudy Gobert (6 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk) are battling in the paint as the Timberwolves and Spurs go back-and-forth on NBC and Peacock.

WEMBY: making plays for his teammates 👏

Keeps the dribble alive and finds Castle for 2.

Blocks the shot which leads to Champagnie's 3.

pic.twitter.com/uMZ6mTaOfm

The game’s seen nine lead changes and five ties so far, with both teams vying to establish an advantage.

10:19 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Timberwolves, Spurs dueling

29-all with 8:48 to go in the second quarter in San Antonio.

Stephon Castle (10 pts) leads all scorers, while Anthony Edwards (7 pts on 3-of-4 shooting) looks comfortable in his first game back from injury.

Ant's first two buckets in his return:

Tough fadeaway.

Top of the key 3.

Watch Wolves/Spurs Game 1 on Peacock and NBCSN!

pic.twitter.com/EwJbTawrpp

9:48 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Timberwolves and Spurs underway

Starting off with a bang on NBC and Peacock, as the two best French centers of the generation square off.

WEMBY BLOCK.

GOBERT BLOCK.

WHAT A START TO GAME 1 IN SAN ANTONIO ‼️

pic.twitter.com/QNDiFg89Tr

9:35 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Starting Lineups: Timberwolves-Spurs, Game 1

Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert will square off as the Spurs and Timberwolves open their 2026 Western Conference Semifinal series on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.

Minnesota:

PG Mike Conley

The 19-year veteran is no stranger to playing the Spurs in the Playoffs, facing them three times with the Grit ‘N Grind Grizzlies, including eliminating them in 2011.

SG Terrence Shannon Jr.

Shannon Jr. has shown hustle and offensive spark in limited minutes, including 24 points in the Timberwolves’ series-clinching Game 6 win over the Nuggets.

SF Jaden McDaniels

McDaniels locked down Jamal Murray in the first round, holding him to 31.9% shooting over 227 possessions.

PF Julius Randle

Randle was held to 18.0 ppg against the Spurs this season. Minnesota will likely need more from him with Anthony Edwards returning from injury.

C Rudy Gobert

Gobert has known Victor Wembanyama since he was 13 years old, earning a silver medal with Wemby at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

San Antonio:

PG Stephon Castle

Castle’s become a crucial initiator, scorer and defender in his second season. He should have a strong series against the Timberwolves’ depleted backcourt, although Rudy Gobert will be a stifling obstacle in the paint.

SG De’Aaron Fox

Fox will also have to find his way past the Timberwolves’ top rim protector. He’s the main isolation scorer for San Antonio, non-Wemby division, putting up a team-leading 59.5% of his points without an assist.

SF Devin Vassell

Vassell is scoring 39.1% of his points from midrange during the Playoffs — by far the most in the league.

PF Julian Champagnie

The St. John’s product has become a stalwart for the Spurs, playing in all 82 games in each of the last two seasons. Will he be able to handle Julius Randle in this series?

C Victor Wembanyama

He’s the Alien. He’s blocking 4.0 shots per game in the Playoffs — no one else is over 2.3.

9:25 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Blazing on Broadway

Jalen Brunson (27 pts) scored the last 11 points for the Knicks, who take a 74-53 lead into the break.

“Just being aggressive moving the ball, and then being aggressive, getting in the paint,” said OG Anunoby (13 pts) of the Knicks 32-16 advantage in point in the paint.

Tyrese Maxey (13 pts) is one of four double-digit scorers for the Sixers.

New York played 11 players in the first half, demonstrating their depth.

9:14 ET / MAY 4, 2026

New York building a lead

55-39 with 3:46 to go in the half, as Karl-Anthony Towns (10 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) helps the Knicks build a 24-8 advantage in points in the paint.

Karl-Anthony Towns finds Jose Alvarado for the reverse!

Cut towards the basket, and you might get rewarded 💯

pic.twitter.com/4uvbtOAk6G

OG Anunoby (13 pts on 5-of-6 shooting) has gotten loose in the period as well.

8:55 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Knicks lead 33-25 after one

New York has a 12-2 advantage in points in the paint early, as the Knicks take control on their home floor in Madison Square Garden.

8:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Brunson off to a hot start

Jalen Brunson (14 pts, 6-of-7 shooting) is dictating the offense early, as the Knicks lead 21-19 with 3:39 to go in the first quarter. He’s gone at Paul George and Quentin Grimes in recent possessions.

7:30 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Starting Lineup: 76ers-Knicks, Game 1

Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey will lead the Knicks and 76ers into their Eastern Conference Semifinals series, starting tonight at 8 ET on NBC and Peacock.

Philadelphia

PG Tyrese Maxey

Who will guard Tyrese Maxey? Mikal Bridges would seem like the best bet. In the regular season, Bridges logged 18:48 against Maxey — second-most in the Association — giving up 20 points on 10-of-20 shooting.

SG VJ Edgecombe

Edgecombe was a crucial swing factor in the Sixers’ wins over the Celtics. He was 0-for-16 in their three losses and 15-of-43 (45.4%) in their wins.

SF Paul George

The Anunoby-Paul George matchup will be fascinating to watch. George has outscored Anunoby 20.5 to 13.0 in their previous games, holding an 8-5 record. Can OG swing it on the downside of George’s career?

PF Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre Jr. is always an irritant, and a talented scorer on the right night. He and Josh Hart could battle to make energy plays in this series.

C Joel Embiid

Embiid played inspired basketball against the Celtics, culminating in 34 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in Game 7. Can he keep up his form against the formidable Knicks?

New York:

PG Jalen Brunson

Who will guard Jalen Brunson? VJ Edgecombe, who shut down Derrick White in the second half of the Sixers’ Game 7 victory over the Celtics, has the size, strength, activity level and length to disrupt the Knicks’ captain.

SG Josh Hart

In wins this season, Hart averaged 13.0 ppg, 7.8 reb and 5.0 ast. In losses, 10.0 ppg, 6.6 reb and 4.4 ast.

SF Mikal Bridges

A native of Philadelphia, Bridges was drafted by the 76ers in 2018 before dealt to the Phoenix Suns. Six years later, he suits up against his hometown squad.

PF OG Anunoby

Anunoby shot 56.7% from 3-point range in the Knicks’ series against the Atlanta Hawks on his way to 21.1 ppg.

C Karl-Anthony Towns

Two of the games’ best centers go head-to-head in this series, as Towns faces Joel Embiid. They’ve been physical in past matchups. Will sparks fly tonight?

7:00 ET / MAY 4, 2026

Monday’s injury report

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are available for the 76ers, while Jeremy Sochan is available for the Knicks.

Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu are out for the Timberwolves, while Anthony Edwards is available.