NBA Scores Yesterday: Full Recap, Highlights & What They Mean for the Playoff Race

NBA scores yesterday delivered a trio of first-round playoff thrillers that reshaped both conference brackets and lit up search engines overnight. Thunder complete sweep behind Shai’s 31 Oklahoma City became the first team to punch a ticket to the conference semifinals, finishing a 4-0 sweep of Phoenix with a 131-122 road win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 31 points while Chet Holmgren added 24 and 12 boards, erasing a 15-point second-quarter deficit and silencing ­Footprint Center. The defending champs now await the Nuggets–Timberwolves winner. Nuggets stay alive, trim series to 3-2 Back in Denver, Nikola Jokić (29-14-11) authored his 16th career playoff triple-double as the Nuggets beat Minnesota 125-113, snapping the Wolves’ two-game mile-high win streak. Jamal Murray’s 22-point fourth quarter buried a brief Anthony Edwards rally and sent the series back to Target Center for Game 6. Magic push No. 1 Pistons to the brink The night’s biggest shocker came in Orlando, where the eighth-seeded Magic clamped Detroit 94-88 to seize a 3-1 series lead. Paolo Banchero struggled from the field (4-18) but hit 10-of-13 freebies for 18 points, while Desmond Bane’s 22 off the bench fueled a 15-2 closing run. Cade Cunningham managed 26 for Detroit, which now faces elimination at Little Caesars Arena on Wednesday. Updated playoff picture • West: Thunder advance; Timberwolves lead Nuggets 3-2; Spurs up 3-1 on Blazers; Lakers ahead 3-1 on Rockets. • East: Magic lead Pistons 3-1; Celtics ahead 3-1 on 76ers; Knicks–Hawks and Cavs–Raptors tied 2-2. What’s next Tuesday offers a Celtics–Sixers Game 5 and a potential Spurs close-out, while Wednesday’s slate features Detroit’s last stand and a pivotal Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. Check back each morning for fresh “NBA scores yesterday” updates, betting angles, and streaming info as the 2026 playoffs charge toward Round 2.