Ranking the biggest surprises so far in first round of NBA playoffs

The NBA playoffs are not known for upsets. We're used to seeing the mega superstars competing in the latest rounds. Major upsets , storybook performances from underappreciated players seem so rare that one such experience in a postseason makes for some of the most unforgettable moments in recent memory.

Whether it was Tyrese Haliburton leading the No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers to the NBA Finals and taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in 2025 or Jimmy Butler taking the No. 8 seed Miami Heat to the Finals in 2023, these surprises turn ordinary postseasons into unforgettable ones.

And this year, it seems like we've got a lot of them. Although only one team – the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder – has advanced to the second round, there are a myriad of upsets on the horizon that I can say with near certainty very few people saw coming. Here are the five biggest surprises of the 2026 NBA postseason thus far: SHINING STARS: Ranking the 10 best players in 2026 playoffs so far Biggest surprises of the 2025-26 NBA postseason 5) Where did Marcus Smart come from?

Even without Kevin Durant for most of the series, no one expected the Lakers to get out to a 3-0 series lead. But that is made much easier when someone like Marcus Smart , who shot under 40% during the regular season, scores 46 points combined in Games 2 and 3. Smart averaged less than 10 points per game during the regular season and only scored more than 20 points three times.