The NBA conference semifinals began with the Detroit Pistons defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Oklahoma City Thunder faced the Los Angeles Lakers. Both series featured teams coming off intense seven-game series, testing their conditioning.
Key points
Pistons won Game 1 against Cavaliers
Thunder faced Lakers in Game 1
Both series featured teams from seven-game series
Conditioning tested for Pistons and Cavaliers
Conference semifinals started on May 5
Detroit PistonsCleveland CavaliersOklahoma City ThunderLos Angeles Lakers
The interesting thing to note in these games is that both Detroit and Cleveland are coming off of seven-game series, so their conditioning will be tested. And while Los Angeles did eliminate the Rockets in six games, the Thunder swept the Suns and played their first game in eight days.
Here are the winners and losers from Tuesday nightâs conference semifinal games between the Pistons and Cavaliers and Thunder and Lakers:
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Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
The Nike Lebron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
1 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffs bring out more than highâstakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the leagueâs biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
1 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffs bring out more than highâstakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the leagueâs biggest stage.
See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
2 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen before Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
3 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
4 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
5 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The Nike Lebron XXIII shoes worn by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) against the Houston Rockets in the first half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, at Crypto.com Arena.
6 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
Shoes worn by Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.
7 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
8 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
9 / 9
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The shoes of Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks are seen during the third quarter of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The plan for the Pistons early in the game was clear: attack the paint and put Cavs defenders in compromising positions. That diminished the impact of Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, who fell into early foul trouble. And, as Detroit went on a run late in the period, those trips to the line helped extend the lead.
Thatâs also why even though players like Cade Cunningham (3-of-10 in the first half) and Tobias Harris (2-of-7) struggled from the floor, they were still able to contribute, with 14 and 10 first-half points, respectively.
After two quarters, the Pistons were 17-of-22 (77.3%) from the line.
Cleveland, by comparison, shot just 8 free throws, though it did convert all of them.
Pistons turn turnovers into points
The other reason Detroit launched massive runs in the first half was because it turned defense into offense. Detroitâs perimeter players smothered Clevelandâs guards, jumping passing lanes and forcing tough passes in pick-and-roll actions. The Pistons recorded six steals in the first half, but, more importantly, they scored 20 points off of those takeaways.
When teams can force their opponents into turnovers, it neutralizes the energy and pace from the opposing offense.
On the other side, Detroit didnât commit a single turnover in the first quarter, but it got careless in the second, committing 6.
That helped the Cavs hang around, and it could be a path for Cleveland to make a comeback in the second half.
The Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart (28) dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on May 5, 2026.
The Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart (28) dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on May 5, 2026.
LOSERS
All Cleveland starters (except Donovan Mitchell)
Cleveland started the game cold, going 3-of-11 (27.2%) to open. And though Donovan Mitchell was effective, scoring 14 in the first half, he was the only player to reach double-figures in scoring.
Jarrett Allen â after his 22-point, 19-rebound Game 7 performance â didnât score a single point in the first half and played just 5:58 because of foul trouble. Dean Wade took just one shot and didnât record a single point, either. Evan Mobley and James Harden picked it up some in the second quarter, but they combined the shoot just 5-of-13 in the first half.