NBA playoff opening weekend delivered blowouts, missing stars, and little reason for casual fans to tune in
Only one of six games was decided by fewer than double digits, with Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant sidelined
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Coming off one of its most disappointing regular seasons in recent memory, the NBA’s opening playoff weekend did little to change public perception of the league.
Consider that the Lakers’ win over the Rockets was the only one of six games not decided by double digits. Los Angeles beat Houston 107–98. Still, the game lacked star power, with Luka Doncic, Kevin Durant, and Austin Reaves all sidelined by injury.
Of course, fans are used to stars missing games. During the regular season, only 32.7% of nationally televised games featured a full slate of star players.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}If there were ever a case for a mercy rule in basketball, this weekend made it. The Thunder won Sunday by 35. The Celtics beat the 76ers by 22. Both games were effectively over midway through the second quarter.
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And unlike Major League Baseball, the first round of the NBA postseason features a full seven-game series format. Even with multiple sweeps, fans will likely wait more than two weeks for the second round.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley sits courtside during an NBA Cup game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Maybe it’s time to check out the hockey postseason until the NBA becomes more competitive. That’s Charles Barkley’s advice, after all.
"Thank God for hockey," Barkley said on air during halftime of the 76ers-Celtics game.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}And the baseball regular season. WrestleMania. Golf. Just about anything else. Every league has flaws, but the NBA stands out for how often blowouts, injuries, and sloppy play dominate the product.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers runs down the court after drawing an offensive charge call against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half of the West semifinal game of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Pelicans 133-89. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The lack of energy and emotion compared to other sports is palpable. Few leagues draw less of a reaction from fans during big moments than the modern-day NBA.
It doesn’t help that the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder are already +100 to win it all this early in the postseason.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Unlike past budding dynasties, the Thunder haven’t established themselves as heroes or villains. The team is led by a free-throw merchant. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a great player, but his style and personality do not capture broader interest.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles down the court against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Paycom Center on Oct. 30, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)
Speaking of odds, the books have little doubt about the direction of the series. According to DraftKings, the current series favorites are the Thunder at -20000, the Celtics at -160000, and the Spurs at -2500.
For a league under heavy scrutiny across all forms of media, it’s hard to imagine a worse start to the playoffs. It has never been harder to convince viewers to commit to any one product, given the endless streaming options available. The NBA continues to struggle to give casual fans a reason to tune in.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The games simply aren’t as competitive or as sharp as they need to be. Even the tone from league broadcasters suggests as much.
It also didn’t help that more than half of the opening weekend games were on Amazon Prime. That’s a tough sell, asking fans to pay more to watch such a subpar product.
Fanboys and Bill Simmons will argue otherwise. But the first weekend of the NBA playoffs was a slog. The games were difficult to watch.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}And that's unlikely to change at any point during this round or next.