The NBA's Playoff Paradox: Dominance and Decline in the Same Series As the 2026 NBA playoffs reach their climax, a curious phenomenon is emerging.
Teams that were once on the cusp of elimination are now pushing for series victories.
The New York Knicks' 3 0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2 1 advantage over the San Antonio Spurs highlight the delicate balance between dominance and decline in these high stakes matchups.