NBA Playoffs: Ranking the Superstar Matchups We Want to See in the First Round

The biggest names in the NBA build their legacies in the postseason, and championships are won and lost based on which superstar can outperform the other.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:06am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of an NBA playoff matchup between two superstar players, their bodies and the basketball court broken down into abstract geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The NBA playoffs will feature a clash of the league's top superstars, with each matchup a high-stakes battle for postseason glory.New Orleans Today

There are few things better in life than playoff basketball, especially when it features numerous stars. The article breaks down six potential superstar matchups in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, including Jalen Brunson (Knicks) vs. Brandon Ingram (Raptors), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) vs. Steph Curry (Warriors), Jaylen Brown (Celtics) vs. Paolo Banchero (Magic), Cade Cunningham (Pistons) vs. LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) vs. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), and LeBron James (Lakers) vs. Kevin Durant (Rockets).

Why it matters

Superstar matchups in the NBA playoffs are what make the postseason so great. The giants who rule atop the game must go to war with one another, over and over again, until only one is left standing. These matchups will determine who will be featured on the biggest stage come the Finals, where the Larry O'Brien Trophy awaits.

The details

The article breaks down six potential superstar matchups in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs, including Jalen Brunson (Knicks) vs. Brandon Ingram (Raptors), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) vs. Steph Curry (Warriors), Jaylen Brown (Celtics) vs. Paolo Banchero (Magic), Cade Cunningham (Pistons) vs. LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Nikola Jokić (Nuggets) vs. Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), and LeBron James (Lakers) vs. Kevin Durant (Rockets).

  • The 2025–26 regular season is coming to a close.
  • The NBA playoffs are set to begin in the coming weeks.

The players

Jalen Brunson

A guard for the New York Knicks who has emerged as a true superstar and the beating heart of a championship-starved basketball mecca.

Brandon Ingram

An All-Star forward for the Toronto Raptors who has taken steps forward on defense and formed a formidable duo with fellow All-Star Scottie Barnes.

Steph Curry

A superstar guard for the Golden State Warriors who is still a top-tier star capable of wreaking havoc against even the best defenses.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The head of the snake in Oklahoma City, a dynamic scoring guard tasked with going bucket-for-bucket with Curry.

Jaylen Brown

An All-NBA guard for the Boston Celtics who proved he could carry a team as the No. 1 option in Jayson Tatum's absence.

Paolo Banchero

The No. 1 overall pick in 2022, a young star forward for the Orlando Magic looking to bolster his reputation in the playoffs.

Cade Cunningham

The No. 1 overall pick in 2021, an All-Star guard who has led the Detroit Pistons to the playoffs with legitimate title aspirations.

LaMelo Ball

A dynamic scoring point guard who has helped turn the Charlotte Hornets into a deep, dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.

Nikola Jokić

The reigning NBA champion and MVP, a dominant big man who always takes his game up a notch in the playoffs.

Anthony Edwards

A rising young star for the Minnesota Timberwolves who has developed greatly as a distributor while maintaining his electrifying scoring ability.

LeBron James

A 41-year-old legend who continues to defy Father Time, now tasked with carrying the Los Angeles Lakers as his superstar teammates have fallen to injury.

Kevin Durant

A superstar forward who is the primary offensive engine of the Houston Rockets, relying almost entirely on his ability to sink jumpers over anybody in his way.

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What’s next

The Lakers have to win on Sunday night and see the Nuggets lose in order to clinch the third seed. Otherwise they are fated to battle the Rockets in the 4 vs. 5 matchup.

The takeaway

Superstar matchups in the NBA playoffs are the main attraction, as the league's biggest names battle it out for the chance to win a championship. These potential first-round clashes will have fans buzzing with excitement as the postseason gets underway.