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The on-court trends defining the 2026 NBA playoffs...
Key takeaways
- The 2026 NBA conference finals are approaching their climax on one side of the bracket and fizzling out in the other.
- Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are fulfilling expectations of a classic, with a 2-2 tie entering Tuesday's Game 5 (8:30 p.m.
- Let's take stock of six key trends and takeaways for the final four teams, as the 2025-26 NBA season enters its final month.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The 2026 NBA conference finals are approaching their climax on one side of the bracket and fizzling out in the other.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are fulfilling expectations of a classic, with a 2-2 tie entering Tuesday's Game 5 (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC). Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks completed a four-game sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
Let's take stock of six key trends and takeaways for the final four teams, as the 2025-26 NBA season enters its final month. I'll start in San Antonio, with the MVP of the playoffs to this point.
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