The road to the 2026 NBA Finals for OKC is coming into focus, with the league officially releasing its championship schedule and key second-round scenarios beginning to fall into place.

Thunder second-round schedule scenarios

The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to host Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, but the exact start date depends on how the first-round series between Los Angeles and Houston concludes, along with outcomes in the Eastern Conference.

Game 6 between the Rockets and Lakers tips off tonight at 8:30 p.m. CT and will stream on Prime Video, with the series outcome helping determine when the Thunder open the second round

Scenario 1

If the Lakers-Rockets series ends in six games and either Pistons-Magic or Cavaliers-Raptors also ends in six games:

Game 1: Sunday, May 3 (at OKC)Game 2: Tuesday, May 5 (at OKC)Game 3: Saturday, May 9 (on the road)Game 4: Monday, May 11 (on the road)Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 13 (at OKC)Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, May 16 (on the road)Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, May 18 (at OKC)

Scenario 2

If the Lakers-Rockets series goes seven games or if multiple series extend deeper:

Game 1: Tuesday, May 5 (at OKC)Game 2: Thursday, May 7 (at OKC)Game 3: Saturday, May 9 (on the road)Game 4: Monday, May 11 (on the road)Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 13 (at OKC)Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, May 16 (on the road)Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, May 18 (at OKC)

Tipoff times and broadcast details for the second round have not yet been announced.

Opposite side of the bracket

On the other side of the Western Conference bracket, San Antonio’s path is already set following Denver’s elimination.

The Spurs will face Minnesota in a series that opens in San Antonio:

Game 1: Monday, May 4 (in San Antonio)Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 (in San Antonio)Game 3: Friday, May 8 (in Minneapolis)Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (in Minneapolis)Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 12 (in San Antonio)Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 15 (in Minneapolis)Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 17 (in San Antonio)

What’s next for OKC

The Thunder will open the second round at home against the winner of the Los Angeles-Houston series. Los Angeles currently holds a 3-2 lead, with Game 6 set to determine whether the series ends or forces a decisive Game 7.

Until that result is finalized, Oklahoma City’s exact Game 1 date remains either May 3 or May 5, but regardless of the scenario, the Thunder will have home-court advantage as they continue their push toward the NBA Finals.

2026 NBA Finals schedule

The NBA Finals will follow a traditional 2-2-1-1-1 format, with all games airing on ABC:

Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 (7:30 p.m. CT)Game 2: Friday, June 5 (7:30 p.m. CT)Game 3: Monday, June 8 (7:30 p.m. CT)Game 4: Wednesday, June 10 (7:30 p.m. CT)Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday, June 13 (7:30 p.m. CT)Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 16 (7:30 p.m. CT)Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 19 (7:30 p.m. CT)