How the four NBA conference semifinals are shaping up

The GIST: Between record-setting battles and unexpected firings, this week has been peak NBA drama. Now with two games down in each second-round series, here’s how the four conference semifinals are shaping up heading into the weekend.

Western Conference (WC) No. 6 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 7 LA Lakers: Klay Thompson took the Warriors’ Game 1 loss personally, dropping 30 points in last night’s blowout 127–100 Game 2 win over LeBron James and the Lake Show. This must-see series now shifts to Hollywood for a guaranteed thriller tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET. Get’cha popcorn ready.

Eastern Conference (EC) No 2. Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers: Newly crowned MVP Joel Embiid returned to the court, but that didn’t stop the sharp-shooting Celtics from demolishing his Sixers in a soul-crushing 121–87 Game 2 Wednesday win. The series is all tied up as it heads to the City of Brotherly Love for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ET Game 3 that’ll be anything but tender.

WC No. 1 Denver Nuggets vs. No 4 Phoenix Suns: The Suns (trailing 0-2) have an uphill battle ahead, especially with injured star Chris Paul officially sidelined for tonight’s 10 p.m. ET Game 3. Maybe home-court advantage will help them turn the tide?

EC No. 5 NY Knicks vs. No. 8 Miami Heat: This series has been riddled with injuries, and while the Knicks’ Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson showed up to even the series in Game 2, Heat star Jimmy Butler is still TBD ahead of tomorrow’s 3:30 p.m. ET Game 3 in South Beach.