NBA playoff winners and losers: Thunder cruise past Suns, but Jalen Williams' injury could be a major blow

The Thunder are going to need even more from Holmgren if Jalen Williams ends up missing time with his apparent hamstring issue.

Loser: Thunder's health

In the middle of the third quarter, the Thunder's Jalen Williams ran the floor hard in transition, caught a pass from Gilgeous-Alexander and went up for a layup that he missed. Immediately, he grabbed for his left hamstring and took his time getting back down the floor.

Jalen Williams gets injured on his left hamstring.

He is questionable to return. pic.twitter.com/SdxAGZ04Mx

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 23, 2026

After taking a foul to stop play, Williams appeared to inform the bench that his left hamstring was bothering him, then went to the locker room and did not return. It's far too early to know how long Williams may be sidelined -- he'll likely undergo an MRI either late Wednesday or early Thursday -- but this was not what the Thunder wanted to see.

Williams played only 33 games this season due to multiple injuries, including a right hamstring issue that kept him out for eight weeks across two different stretches. The Thunder will be fine against the Suns even if Williams doesn't come back, but if he's facing another extended spell on the sidelines, that would be a big blow to their title hopes.

In Game 1, Williams put up 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 9 of 15 from the field. Though he had struggled at times this season, he is a proven playoff performer and was their second-best player last season en route to their first title.

Gilgeous-Alexander was also in pain early in the game after an awkward fall where he put his left hand out to brace himself and his fingers bent the wrong way. He was checked out by the team's medical staff and remained in the game -- and finished with 37 points and nine assists -- but it was clear his hand was bothering him all night. That could be something to monitor over the next few days.

Winner: The Pistons' supporting cast

Even though the Pistons won 60 games and were the No. 1 seed, they weren't the clear favorites in the Eastern Conference entering the playoffs, in large part because of concerns about their over-reliance on All-Star guard Cade Cunningham.

Game 1 was a perfect example. Cunningham poured in 39 points on 13 of 27 from the field on Sunday, but the Pistons lost because every other Detroit player combined for 62 points on 18 of 50 shooting. In fact, Tobias Harris was the only other player who scored in double figures that night, and he shot 5 of 15.

The Pistons won't get past the Magic, let alone make a deep run, unless their supporting cast steps up to give Cunningham some help. They certainly did in Game 2. Cunningham went off again for 27 points, 11 assists and six rebounds. But the Pistons had five more double-figure scorers, including all four other starters.

• Tobias Harris: 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks
• Ausar Thompson: 11 points and eight rebounds
• Jalen Duren: 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists
• Duncan Robinson: 10 points and six rebounds
• Isaiah Stewart: 10 points, five rebounds and two blocks

The Pistons still only scored 98 points and shot 6 of 26 from 3-point range, so questions remain about their playoff offense, but this was a must-win game and an important confidence builder for the supporting cast.

Loser: Desmond Bane

Bane didn't ask the Magic to trade Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first-round picks and a first-round pick swap to acquire him from the Memphis Grizzlies last summer. But fairly or not, the steep price has raised the expectations for him.

By any standards, his performance in Game 2 simply wasn't good enough. He scored 12 points on 2 of 11 shooting and had more turnovers (three) than made baskets.

It's one thing to miss shots, but Bane has to take them or the Magic have no chance. He is by far their best 3-point shooter (39.1% on 5.2 attempts per game in the regular season) and their most reliable shot creator in the backcourt. During the regular season, the Orlando was 7-8 when Bane took 11 or fewer shots and 38-29 when he took 12 or more.

Bane's no-show on Tuesday was a big reason why the Magic had their worst offensive performance of the season. Their 83 points and 32.5 field goal percentage were both season lows.