2026 NBA playoffs: LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant and the must-see matchups in every first-round series

Fun battles await in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs , including a pair of legends facing off in LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and some top-notch strategic showdowns. Let’s break down the matchups to watch in each series. East: 76ers-Celtics • Hawks-Knicks • Raptors-Cavaliers West: Blazers-Spurs • Wolves-Nuggets • Rockets-Lakers 76ers-Celtics: Tyrese Maxey vs.

Derrick White Because Payton Pritchard, the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year, started Boston’s first three games vs. Philadelphia this season, he drew the bulk of the defensive assignment on Maxey. Pritchard, who is quick, did a decent job, even better than White, at least statistically .

But I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest White — Boston’s All-Defensive candidate — will draw the assignment on the 76ers’ All-NBA guard to start the series. His ability to pick pockets (1. 1 steals per game) and swat shots (1.

3 blocks per game) will make Maxey think on every possession, even if he has had success against White. White had plenty of success against Maxey, too, scoring 20 points in less than 10 minutes when matched up with the Sixers’ guard, according to NBA tracking data . The Celtics scored 161 points per 100 possessions whenever Jaylen Brown called Maxey into the action.