From stars to sixth men, key players to watch in NBA conference semifinals

The 2026 NBA playoffs quickly became a battle of attrition. The number of significant injuries that loom over the start of the league's four conference semifinals are proof enough.

It's not clear yet when NBA star Jalen Williams will return from injury after missing games in the Thunder's first-round series. Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, returned for the Timberwolves sooner than expected for the team's Game 1 win over the San Antonio Spurs following a hyperextension and bone bruise on his left knee that kept him out of Minnesota's final two games of their series against the Nuggets.

Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers has yet to play in the postseason due to a hamstring ailment. His teammate, Austin Reaves, only just came back. Same goes for the oft-injured Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers.

The injury intrigue adds to the drama with only eight teams left in pursuit of an NBA championship. Some of the league's marquee names and role players are under the spotlight as the second round of the playoffs got underway on Monday, May 4.

Here's one star player and one role player from each remaining team whose performance (or availability) could swing their team's fortunes during the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs:

NBA playoffs 2026: Conference semifinals players to watch

USA TODAY Sports tabbed one star player and one role player from each team remaining in the 2026 NBA playoffs whose contributions could swing their respective teams' conference semifinals series.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• Luka Doncic: The availability and effectiveness of the Lakers' star is likely the key to them being competitive in the series. Doncic hasn't played in a game since injuring his hamstring in an April 2 game against the Thunder.
• Jalen Williams: The Thunder breezed past the Phoenix Suns in the first round despite a hamstring injury to Williams. His status for the start of this series remains uncertain.
• Marcus Smart: Assuming Austin Reaves regains his 3-point stroke, Smart's two-way presence looms large. He could be a primary defender on Shai Gilgeious-Alexander and called upon to hit 3-pointers in crunch time.
• Alex Caruso: He's a defensive weapon off the bench for the Thunder with a history of raising his level of play in the postseason. He can be deployed on Doncic or Reaves depending on the situation.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

• Anthony Edwards: When Edwards returns from the knee injury he suffered during the first round, and how limited he is upon getting back on the court, looms over the entire series.
• Victor Wembanyama: The Spurs only loss in the first round came in Game 3 when Wembanyama sat out due to concussion protocol.
• Rudy Gobert: His defense on Nikola Jokic helped spur the Timberwolves to a first-round upset of the Denver Nuggets. Now Gobert is tasked with making life more difficult on Wembanyama, his countryman from France.
• Dylan Harper: No Spurs player had a better NET rating than Harper during their first-round series against Portland.

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

• Joel Embiid: The version of Embiid that played the final four games of the 76ers' first-round series win over the Celtics, combined with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, make Philadelphia a serious threat in this matchup. But will Embiid's body hold up?
• Jalen Brunson: The Knicks series against the Hawks swung in Game 5 when Brunson produced a 39-point gem, and he's two years removed from averaging 35.5 points and nine assists in a playoff series win.
• Mikal Bridges: He was mostly a non-factor in the first round, but came alive for 24 points in a Game 6 blowout over the Hawks. Bridges should factor heavily in the Knicks' strategy for slowing down Maxey.
• VJ Edgecombe: The 76ers' rookie served as a barometer for Philadelphia in the first round. He shot 50% from the field (including 45% from 3-point range) in the team's four wins. He shot 30.2% (and went 0-for-16 from 3-point range) in three losses to Boston.

Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

• Jalen Duren: The Pistons struggled to get past the Magic in the first round, in part, because Duren hardly resembled the player who blossomed into a dominating big man this season. Maybe a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double in Game 7 was a good sign because the Cavaliers won't be as forgiving as the Magic if Duren falters again.
• Donovan Mitchell: The Cavaliers needed a Game 7 to beat the Raptors because Mitchell shot 38.8% from the field and less than 28% from 3-point range over the final five games of the series. Cleveland will need his shot-making against Detroit's rugged defense.
• Daniss Jenkins: Cade Cunningham needs more help on offense than Tobias Harris for the Pistons to win this series, and Jenkins showed in Game 7 by making four of his five 3-pointers against the Magic that he could be the role player to provide it.
• Jarrett Allen: His third-quarter outburst in Game 7 pushed Cleveland past Toronto. The Pistons might not have the firepower inside to combat both Evan Mobley and an inspired Allen.