Don’t blink, or you might miss the two-month span that is postseason basketball. The longest playoff in sports is here and there is plenty to talk about. Afterall, half the league makes the postseason so I would hope there would be. We’ll break down the bracket and of course, some predictions for who will be the final team standing. Here’s our 2026 NBA Western Conference playoffs preview.
Opening Round
1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8) Suns/Blazers/Warriors/Clippers
This is very similar to a year ago when it didn’t really matter who played in this series against the Thunder. OKC is the best team in the West for a reason and now they have legit championship pedigree. My gut feeling is that the Suns are the team moving on to take on OKC. But there isn’t much drama in this 1 vs 8 game. Thunder in 5.
2) San Antonio Spurs vs. 7) Suns/Blazers
A year ago, there was an upset in this round. The Warriors took out the Rockets. I am not betting on a repeat here. Victor Wembanyama is healthy. Steph Castle is one of the best young players in the game. The Spurs have been waiting to step back into the spotlight, and this is the year they do just that. I see a Thunder, Spurs conference finals coming.
3) Denver Nuggets vs 6) Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been in the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back years. I expected them to come out in the regular season with a newfound hunger and purpose. I was wrong. Maybe Anthony Edwards has been waiting for early April. But I haven’t seen evidence of that yet. Jokic is too good this time of year. Nuggets in 6.
4) Los Angeles Lakers vs 5) Houston Rockets
I hate the Lakers odds in this series without stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. The Rockets enter this series as winners in 9 of their last 10 games. Lebron is Lebron but how much can he do with a depleted roster against one of the best defenses in the NBA? Kevin Durant is too good to let his team fall to a first-round exit. Rockets in 5.
Quarterfinals
1) Thunder vs 5) Rockets
This has the making of a heavyweight battle. The Thunder are hot and experienced, but the Thunder won the regular season series 2-1. They’ll win this one too.
2) Spurs vs 3) Nuggets
I love Jokic. But I also love Wemby and I love this young Spurs core. Something special is brewing in San Antonio.
Semi-Finals
1) Thunder vs 2) Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t getting stopped short in his first bid at becoming a repeat winner. Thunder in a thrilling 7 game series.
Finals
Thunder vs Celtics
I expected the Thunder to be here. I did not expect the Celtics to be in this spot. Sometimes, it’s a team of destiny. I have the Celtics.