What Bill Simmons has said about 2026 NBA playoffs
10 quotes · 7 episodes · May 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
Bill Simmons, Sportswriter and founder of The Ringer, host of The Bill Simmons Podcast, has been quoted on 2026 NBA playoffs 10 times in 7 episodes of The Bill Simmons Podcast, most recently on May 31, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Simmons calls a Knicks-Spurs Finals possibly the best-case Finals ever for the league.
“And this might be number one, honestly, out of everything we mentioned, because you have the revival of the Knicks”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach Lowe (May 31, 2026) · Listen from 40:17
- Came true
Simmons predicts the Thunder-Spurs series is headed to seven games.
“Cause I think this series just, it just reeks of seven, but we'll see what happens”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:09:00
Simmons says that after Game 4 he believes San Antonio now has the advantage in the series.
“But now I honestly think San Antonio has the advantage now”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey (May 25, 2026) · Listen from 11:32
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicted Cleveland would eliminate Detroit in Game 6.
“I think they're gonna finish off Detroit in game six”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 18:33
Simmons argued San Antonio's unreliable three-point shooting is the team's main weakness.
“San Antonio specifically, I don't totally trust their three-point shooting. And I think this is the Achilles heel of the team the more I watch them”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 6:21
Simmons argues a Thunder–Spurs series would be the most talented playoff series in eight years.
“If we do get OKC San Antonio next round, I think this is the best series in eight years”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby (May 13, 2026) · Listen from 22:00
Simmons argues the NBA should speed up replay reviews and improve its product before expanding.
“So maybe instead of expansion, maybe try to improve the product before we start adding teams to the product would be my advice”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 8:39
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicts Detroit will beat Cleveland because the Pistons are more physical and have the best player.
“I think they have the best player, and I think they're going to win this series”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 16:58
- Came true
Simmons predicts the Knicks will beat the 76ers in five games or fewer.
“I would just be surprised if this went more than five games”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 20:43
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicted the Orlando Magic would beat the Detroit Pistons.
“I think the Magic are gonna win game six. I don't think the Pistons have enough and I don't think Cade can do that two more times”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 56:15
Predictions
- Came true
Simmons predicts the Thunder-Spurs series is headed to seven games.
“Cause I think this series just, it just reeks of seven, but we'll see what happens”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman (May 27, 2026) · Listen from 1:09:00 · 2026 NBA playoffs
The Spurs and Thunder played a full seven-game Western Conference Finals. San Antonio won Game 7 111-103 on May 30, 2026, taking the series 4-3, within the May 31 deadline.
Sources: 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals - Spurs vs. Thunder (Basketball Reference) · As it happened: Spurs beat Thunder in Game 7 of Western Conference finals (ESPN) · Game Recap: Spurs 111, Thunder 103 (NBA.com)
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicted Cleveland would eliminate Detroit in Game 6.
“I think they're gonna finish off Detroit in game six”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith (May 15, 2026) · Listen from 18:33 · 2026 NBA playoffs
Cleveland led the second-round series 3-2 going into Game 6 at Rocket Arena on May 15, 2026, but lost 115-94 to Detroit. The series was tied 3-3 and went to a Game 7 in Detroit on May 17, so the Cavaliers did not finish off the Pistons in Game 6.
Sources: Cavs score vs. Pistons. Detroit dominates Game 6 to force a Game 7 - Yahoo Sports · Cavaliers 112-103 Pistons (May 11, 2026) Final Score - ESPN
Checked Sep 30, 2026
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicts Detroit will beat Cleveland because the Pistons are more physical and have the best player.
“I think they have the best player, and I think they're going to win this series”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 16:58 · 2026 NBA playoffs
The Pistons forced a Game 7 with a 115-94 road win in Game 6, but the Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 7 in Detroit 125-94 (Sunday, May 17, 2026) and advanced to the Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks. Detroit did not win the series as Simmons predicted.
Sources: NBA playoffs 2026: Top moments as Cavaliers defeat Pistons in Game 7 - ESPN · Pistons force Game 7 with 115-94 win over Cavaliers behind Jalen Duren's redemptive 15 points, 11 rebounds - Yahoo Sports
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Came true
Simmons predicts the Knicks will beat the 76ers in five games or fewer.
“I would just be surprised if this went more than five games”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!) (May 8, 2026) · Listen from 20:43 · 2026 NBA playoffs
The Knicks swept the 76ers 4-0 in the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals. They won Game 1 137-98 on May 4 and Game 2 108-102 on May 6, and closed it out 144-114 in Philadelphia on about May 10 (sources say May 10 or 11). The series did not go past five games, as Simmons predicted.
Sources: 2026 NBA Playoffs Summary - Basketball-Reference · 4 takeaways: Knicks find their best form when it matters most, sweep 76ers in East Semifinals · Knicks crush 76ers to finish sweep, will advance to Eastern Conference Finals · 2026 NBA playoffs: Conference semifinals takeaways - ESPN
Checked Oct 6, 2026
- Didn’t happen
Simmons predicted the Orlando Magic would beat the Detroit Pistons.
“I think the Magic are gonna win game six. I don't think the Pistons have enough and I don't think Cade can do that two more times”
The Bill Simmons Podcast: Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion. (May 1, 2026) · Listen from 56:15 · 2026 NBA playoffs
The Pistons came back from 24 points down to win Game 6 in Orlando 93-79 on May 1, 2026, with Cade Cunningham scoring 32 points. They then won Game 7 116-94 on May 3 to take the first-round series. The Magic did not win Game 6 or the series, and Cunningham led Detroit to wins in both remaining games.
Sources: Pistons rally from 24 down to beat Magic 93-79 and force Game 7 after Orlando goes ice-cold - NBC Sports · 4 takeaways: Pistons completely shut down Magic to force Game 7 | NBA.com · Pistons 116-94 Magic (May 3, 2026) Game Recap - ESPN · 2026 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 6: Pistons vs Magic, May 1, 2026 | Basketball-Reference.com
Checked Sep 30, 2026
Episodes
Down Goes OKC! Spurs-Knicks is Here! What the Hell Just Happened? And What Does OKC Do Now? | With Zach LoweThe Bill Simmons Podcast · May 31, 2026 · 1 h 37 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe react live to the Spurs beating the Thunder in Game 7 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals and preview Spurs-Knicks.
- A Spurs Fumble, CarusoMania, Brunson’s Mega-Rise and a Knicks Appreciation With Tim Legler and Brian Koppelman
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 27, 2026 · 1 h 45 min
Bill Simmons and Tim Legler break down Thunder-Spurs Game 5 and the Knicks' Finals run, then Brian Koppelman reflects on the Knicks reaching the NBA Finals.
- OKC Gets Wobbled, Cleveland’s Done, and Knicks Nirvana Is Here (Maybe) With Zach Lowe and Sean Fennessey
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 25, 2026 · 1 h 40 min
Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe break down Thunder–Spurs Game 4 and rank pressure on players, then Sean Fennessey joins to celebrate the Knicks' dominant playoff run.
- Harden’s Moment, an NFL Schedule Glut, Owning the Jazz, and a Boston Sports Check-In—With Bryan Curtis, Bill’s Dad, and Ryan Smith
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 15, 2026 · 2 h 54 min
Bill Simmons previews NBA Game 6s, discusses sports schedule glut with Bryan Curtis, Boston sports with his dad, and Jazz rebuilding with owner Ryan Smith.
- Wemby Gets Revenge, Morey’s Out, and a Trade-Fueled Mega-Mailbag With Kirk Goldsberry and David Jacoby
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 13, 2026 · 2 h 4 min
Bill Simmons and Kirk Goldsberry break down the Spurs' Game 5 win and Daryl Morey's firing, then join David Jacoby for an NBA mailbag and trade predictions.
- Five NBA Playoff Takes, Plus David Letterman’s First-Ever BS Pod Appearance (We Did It!!!)
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 8, 2026 · 1 h 57 min
Bill Simmons shares NBA second-round playoff takes, then interviews David Letterman about retirement, late-night TV, yacht rock, comedy peers, sports rule ideas and Netflix.
- Joker’s Out, and Boston Might Be Next. Plus, an MLB Cocktail Party and 'Survivor 50' With Rob Mahoney, Billy Gil, and Jason Concepcion.
The Bill Simmons Podcast · May 1, 2026 · 2 h 17 min
Bill Simmons recaps a wild NBA playoff night with Rob Mahoney, runs through MLB's early storylines with Billy Gil, and dissects 'Survivor 50' with Jason Concepcion.
Others on 2026 NBA playoffs
- Dan Katz · 7 quotes
- PFT Commenter · 6 quotes
- Zach Lowe · 5 quotes
- Kirk Goldsberry · 3 quotes
- Hank Lockwood · 3 quotes
- Rob Mahoney · 2 quotes
- Mike Breen · 1 quote
- Ben Soffer · 1 quote
Bill Simmons on other topics
- Giannis Antetokounmpo trade speculation · 17 quotes
- 2026 NBA draft · 14 quotes
- New York Knicks · 13 quotes
- Boston Celtics · 13 quotes
- Oklahoma City Thunder · 11 quotes
- San Antonio Spurs · 9 quotes
- 2026 NBA Finals · 8 quotes
- Cleveland Cavaliers · 8 quotes