5 bold predictions for 2026 NBA playoffs, including a deep Knicks run

The NBA playoffs are never short on surprises, and this year’s bracket is setting up to be an entertaining one so here are five bold predictions for the Knicks and contenders at large.

Minnesota upsets Denver

This lowkey postseason rivalry finds these two teams at a crossroads: Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets trying to maintain the vestiges of their 2023 championship mettle, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves facing potential big changes if this core fails to build on its previous successes.

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Denver is favored heavily, with about a 70 percent implied win probability, despite a mixed year and tough foe.

There are more questions facing the favorites than the underdogs, though.

Cameron Johnson has been an underwhelming addition, their rotation beyond the starting five is shaky, and they’ve lost to this team in a series before. Minnesota has a rising young star and the tougher supporting cast while the biggest knock on them has been their lack of effort at times — not an issue likely to resurface in the playoffs.

They’re pulling off the big first-round upset out of the West.

Philadelphia upsets Boston

Remember Tyrese Maxey’s last postseason appearance? It was against the Knicks, and he averaged 30 points, five rebounds and seven assists on 53 percent shooting from two and 40 percent shooting from three.

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They’ll likely be without Joel Embiid this series, but with Maxey, the 76ers have a real shot at upsetting the Celtics.

Much like the Knicks last season, they have their unstoppable lead scoring guard, the wing defenders to handle Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and are a bothersome offensive rebounding team. Boston’s had less than a month to integrate a post-Achilles Tatum and is relying on a bunch of young, unproven guys in their rotation.

Maxey is ready to solidify his stardom in primetime, and can do so against a susceptible Celtics team.

Jalen Brunson shines in the playoffs again

Maybe this isn’t so bold, but it’s now four consecutive postseasons of Brunson turning into Michael Jordan incarnate, and five straight of bloviators questioning his ability to lead a team on this stage….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/5-bold-predictions-2026-nba-140000290.html

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Publish date : 2026-04-18 14:00:00

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