NBA Playoffs Game 3: Live Updates, TV Schedule, and How to Watch

The 2026 NBA Playoffs continue on May 9, 2026, with two critical Game 3 matchups featuring the top seeds from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder both enter their respective series with 2-0 leads and seek to move closer to a conference finals appearance by securing 3-0 leads on the road.

Detroit Pistons Seek Third Consecutive Win

The No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons travel to face the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 3. Detroit enters the contest having won five consecutive playoff games, a streak that began during their first-round series against the Orlando Magic.

The Pistons have established dominance in the series through a combination of fast starts and an efficient ability to finish games. This offensive momentum is supported by the league’s No. 1-ranked scoring defense in the playoffs.

While Cade Cunningham has been a primary driver for the Detroit offense, Tobias Harris has emerged as a significant contributor in the series, averaging more than 20 points per game.

The Cavaliers hope that returning to their home court will provide the necessary momentum to halt the Pistons’ streak. Until May 8, 2026, when the Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 of their series, the Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder were the only two teams in the postseason that had not lost a home playoff game.

Oklahoma City Thunder Maintain Undefeated Postseason Run

In the Western Conference, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder head to Los Angeles to face the Lakers for Game 3. The Thunder have remained undefeated throughout the playoffs thus far, winning every game regardless of whether they played at home or on the road.

Oklahoma City is coming off a 125-107 victory in Game 2, which represented their second consecutive win by a margin of 18 points. The victory was marked by a strong second-half performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, following a first-half deficit—the first time the Thunder trailed at the half during this postseason.

Broadcast Schedule and Viewing Information

The Game 3 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC and available for streaming via Peacock.

The subsequent Game 3 matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will take place later in the evening and will be broadcast on ABC.