The 2026 NBA Playoffs have been a reality check unlike any other. Cal Lee and Warren Shaw are hitting the lab for a special "Autopsy Report" edition of The Baseline, dissecting the shocking first-round exits of the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets, & the Houston Rockets. All three teams entered the postseason as favorites, and all three are heading home early. We’re breaking down: The Boston Celtics: Is Joe Mazzulla’s "dogged" three-point obsession a fatal flaw? We look at the identity crisis that led to a Game 7 collapse against Philly. The Denver Nuggets: Are the defending champs frauds, or just outgunned? We discuss the lack of depth behind Jokic and the "egregious" loss to Minnesota. The Houston Rockets: The KD experiment faced a harsh reality. Was the season lost at the trade deadline, and where does Ime Udoka go from here?. This isn't just hindsight—it’s a deep dive into roster construction, coaching stubbornness, and why these "upper echelon" teams couldn't counter when it mattered most. Subscribe for more NBA culture, deep-dive analysis, and playoff coverage. #NBA #Celtics #Nuggets #Rockets #NBAPlayoffs #TheBaseline 00:00 Intro – The 2026 Playoff Parity & Grief Counseling 04:45 PrizePicks & 19 Media Group Announcements 07:45 Boston Celtics Autopsy: The 3rd Flameout in 4 Years 13:10 The Joe Mazzulla Problem: Stubbornness vs. Adjustments 19:00 Is the Celtics' Roster Versatile Enough? 27:50 Brad Stevens’ Next Move: Cap Space and Trade Levers 34:20 Denver Nuggets Autopsy: Champions or Frauds? 41:15 The Jokic Legacy & The Lack of Defensive Intensity 46:30 Denver’s Second Apron Nightmare & Roster Depth 53:10 Houston Rockets Autopsy: The Failed KD Experiment? 56:45 Ime Udoka’s Offensive Imagination (or Lack Thereof) 1:04:30 The Odd Man Out: Trading Sengun or Jabari Smith? 1:11:00 Final Thoughts: Exercising the Demons in 2027 Visit: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS and use code CLNS to get $50 in lineups. Looking to book a vacation? Our travel partner Exquiste Travel & Tours has you covered: Call 954-228-5479 or visit https://exquisitetravelandtours.com/ Get NBA League Pass: https://link.nba.com/LP19MG Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=19media This show was sponsored in part by Raycon: Visit https://buyraycon.com/baseline for 20% off new buds! Discover our favorite podcast gear & shop our studio must-haves on our Amazon Affiliate page! https://www.amazon.com/shop/19mediagroup Want to join the conversation or invite us to your platform? Budget-friendly collaborations welcome! https://bit.ly/19Guest Follow The Baseline on X: https://twitter.com/nbabaseline Follow The Baseline on IG: https://instagram.com/nba_baseline Follow Warren Shaw on X: https://twitter.com/thewarrenshaw Follow Warren Shaw on IG: https://instagram.com/thewarrenshaw The Baseline Swag: https://tinyurl.com/baselineswag Subscribe to 19 Media Group: https://bit.ly/3KcZtGe