S otheby’s is proud to present NBA Auctions Premier: 2026 Playoffs, featuring jerseys from the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, including standout pieces from Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as playoff debut jerseys from exciting rookies VJ Edgecombe and Dylan Harper.
The 2026 NBA Playoffs capture the league at its highest level, blending superstar performances with the rise of a new generation on the postseason stage. The New York Knicks continue their run back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive year behind the leadership of Jalen Brunson, while the Oklahoma City Thunder look to return to the NBA Finals led by MVP-caliber play from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. At the same time, the young San Antonio Spurs continue their emergence in the post-Tim Duncan era, signaling a new chapter for one of the league’s most storied franchises. From breakout playoff debuts to clutch performances on the league’s biggest stage, the postseason continues to deliver unforgettable moments and define the NBA’s evolving future.
"THIS IS WHERE LEGENDS ARE MADE."
Thunder vs. Suns
The NBA Playoffs presented by @Google tip off today at 1 PM ET on Prime! pic.twitter.com/EqT7EAl7XR— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
Spurs vs. Trail Blazers
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves
Lakers vs. Rockets
Pistons vs. Magic
Celtics vs. Sixers
Knicks vs. Hawks
Cavaliers vs. Raptors
In the Eastern Conference, competition appeared wide open. Coming into the playoffs, the top four teams in the East all stood as credible candidates to win the conference. The Knicks, coming off their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, were eager to prove they had a deeper run in them and bring a title back to New York for the first time in more than 50 years. The Detroit Pistons, a surprise team in the East the previous season, continued their remarkable franchise turnaround and had become one of the most complete teams in the NBA, securing the top seed in the conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by franchise star Donovan Mitchell and midseason acquisition James Harden, were looking to translate regular-season success into playoff results; the franchise had not reached the Eastern Conference Finals since LeBron James left Cleveland in 2018. Finally, the Celtics, who many had written off before the season due to Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury, were one of the biggest surprises of the 2025–2026 campaign. Jaylen Brown delivered an All-NBA season and garnered MVP consideration while leading Boston to the No. 2 seed in the East.
The First Round turned out to be full of surprises. Three of the four series went to Game 7, while the remaining series went to Game 6. The Pistons–Magic matchup, which many around the league did not expect to be particularly competitive, instead became one of the most compelling First Round series in recent seasons. The Magic, the No. 8 seed, set the tone by winning Game 1 on the road and eventually built a 3–1 series lead. However, the Pistons fought back and ultimately won the series in seven games.
Moving on, the Raptors and Cavaliers played a back-and-forth battle, with the home team winning every game. The highlight of the series came in Game 6, when RJ Barrett hit a game-winning three-pointer in overtime that bounced high off the back rim and in, sending the series back to Cleveland. The Cavs went on to secure Game 7 at home.
The Celtics and 76ers played a physical, back-and-forth series. The Sixers stole home-court advantage by winning Game 2 on the road, but the Celtics responded by taking Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia. However, the Sixers, led by Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and young phenom VJ Edgecombe, reeled off three straight wins to complete a shocking upset of the Celtics.
Finally, the Knicks and Hawks played in the only series that did not go the distance, but it featured plenty of drama. Following a Game 1 blowout, the Hawks staged a massive comeback at MSG in Game 2 to shock the New York crowd. They carried that momentum into Game 3, winning in similarly surprising fashion. Down 2–1, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns shouldered the offensive load as the Knicks reeled off three straight wins. New York capped the series with a historic 51-point road victory, showcasing how dangerous they can be when they are clicking on all cylinders.
“Talk of urgency surrounded the Knicks throughout this series… They ran their actions more sharply. They cut with purpose. They set physical screens. But their backs were against the wall. They were urgent because they had no other choice.”
The Eastern Conference First Round delivered nonstop drama and high-level competition, setting the tone for a wide-open postseason where every possession matters—and now, with the Knicks advancing, everything is on the line as they prepare for a heavyweight matchup against the Cavaliers.
In the Western Conference, the competition is focused on a few power house squads. The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the postseason as one of the league’s premier teams, built around MVP-level play from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a deep, versatile supporting cast, as they look to return to the Finals. The Denver Nuggets, anchored by Nikola Jokić, remained a constant threat with championship pedigree and the ability to dictate games through their half-court dominance and playoff experience. The Minnesota Timberwolves continued their rise behind Anthony Edwards, combining elite defense with explosive scoring as they aimed to take the next step into true championship contention. Meanwhile, the young San Antonio Spurs represented the league’s most intriguing emerging storyline, as Victor Wembanyama led a rapidly developing core looking to accelerate their return to relevance.
The reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder began their title defense against the Phoenix Suns. The Thunder overpowered the Suns in every way, on the way to an easy 4 game sweep. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged more than 33 points per game, showing off his ridiculously efficient scoring, while his supporting cast lifted the Thunder.
The San Antonio Spurs, who were hot on the Thunder’s heels throughout the regular season, captured the No. 2 seed in the West after winning 62 games. Their young core of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper—drawing comparisons to the franchise’s past dynasty of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili—made their NBA playoff debut in emphatic fashion. Despite Wembanyama missing one game with a concussion, the Spurs handled the Trail Blazers in five games.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened their playoff run against a young, hungry Houston Rockets team in a physical, back and forth series that tested both sides early in the postseason. The Rockets brought energy and shot making throughout, pushing the pace and stealing key moments to keep the matchup competitive. The Lakers jumped out to a commanding 3–0 lead behind the leadership of LeBron James and put themselves firmly in control of the series, even while missing two of their top scorers in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Houston showed resilience and fought back to extend the series, but Los Angeles ultimately closed things out in six games, leaning on experience and execution in the biggest moments.
The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves met in a tightly contested first-round series that featured heavy swings of momentum and physical, high-level basketball on both ends. Both teams exchanged punches early. In a battle between offense and defense, the Timberwolves’ superior defense ultimately gave them the edge.
The Timberwolves suffered a major setback in Game 4 when they lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo for the remainder of the series, a turning point that shifted the balance of the matchup. Even so, Naz Reid, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Jaden McDaniels stepped up to keep Minnesota competitive and ultimately helped them close out the series in six games.
Bid now on game worn jerseys from the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The exclusive online auction is open for bidding from May 19th to May 25th, 2026.
