2026 NBA playoff X-factors: The players who can swing a series on every team
From OKC's Jalen Williams to Boston's Neemias Queta, here's a look at who could tilt games in the playoffs, for better or worse.
The NBA Playoffs are here! For every team, there is one player who can swing the series, for better or worse. Let’s look at one X-factor for every team: West: OKC • SAS • DEN • LAL • HOU • MIN • POR • PHX/GSW East: DET • BOS • NYK • CLE • TOR • ATL • PHI • ORL/CHA (Dillon Marshall/Yahoo Sports Illustration) WESTERN CONFERENCE 1.
Oklahoma City Thunder X-factor: Jalen Williams Jalen Williams is back, but something is off. Last year Williams took a career-high 29% of his shots from 3, averaging nearly five attempts per game and making 37% of them. That evolution — from midrange specialist to genuine perimeter threat — was one of the reasons Oklahoma City won the championship.
Defenses couldn't sag off him anymore. But this season he made only 29. 9% of his 3s with under 17.
3% of his shots coming from behind the line. He has retreated inside the arc. Even his midrange jumper isn’t falling as often at 41% down from 46% last year and 49% the year prior.
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