Winners (Jayson Tatum) and losers (Rockets) from NBA playoff Game 1s
- Posted on April 20, 2026
- By Usa Today
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- 1 min read
In brief
The NBA playoff opening round delivered compelling performances across multiple matchups. Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum made an impressive statement during his playoff comeback, demonstrating elite scoring ability and competitive intensity. Meanwhile, the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder showcased dominant basketball with an authoritative Game 1 victory. Conversely, the Houston Rockets struggled to gain momentum in their opening contest, facing defensive challenges and offensive inconsistency that plagued their performance throughout the game.
Winners (Jayson Tatum) and losers (Rockets) from NBA playoff Game 1s
While no team was more impressive than the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Jayson Tatum shined in his playoff return for the Boston Celtics.
