The third installment of The Voice Season 27 Knockouts aired Monday night (April 14), and things are officially heating up. This round marks a major turning point in the competition: coaches must set up four head-to-head matchups within their teams, and then make the brutally tough call of choosing just one winner from each.

There are no saves this time, but each coach does have one highly-coveted steal to use on a losing artist from another team. When all is said and done, only 20 artists will remain in the game.

Unlike the battles, where coaches picked the songs, the Knockouts give contestants full control over what they sing. It’s their chance to show who they are as artists and with no guest mentors in the room this season, it’s also the first time we see coaches working one-on-one with their team members. Spoiler: it leads to some amazing moments (and a few emotional ones too).

The night kicked off with a bang as Nell Simmons delivered a buttery-smooth version of “Sweet Thing” by Chaka Khan. She was up against the always-unpredictable Renzo, who brought intensity and emotion to “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish. While John Legend called Nell’s performance “perfection,” he ultimately went with Renzo, noting how unique and different he is from everyone else in the competition.

Next came a diva showdown, as Olivia Kuper Harris leaned into disco glory with “Last Dance” while Jacquelyn George showed off her powerhouse vocals on JoJo’s “Too Little Too Late.” Both brought the heat, but Olivia’s style, control, and stage presence earned her a spot in the playoffs.

Over on Team Bublé, Adam David and Carlos Santiago brought very different vibes. Adam tackled Allen Stone’s “Unaware” with soulful grit, while Carlos poured his heart into “You Are the Reason.” Michael Bublé called both performances beautiful but gave the edge to Adam for his vocal dexterity and emotional punch.

Then it was Jadyn Cree versus Kameron Jaso – two fan-favorites with very different approaches. Jadyn chose Avril Lavigne’s “Keep Holding On,” showing off vulnerability and raw tone. Kameron took on “Say You Won’t Let Go” and received major props for stepping outside of his comfort zone. But in the end, Jadyn’s voice and unassuming confidence cut through, and she walked away with the win.

In a full-circle moment on Team Kelsea, Hailey Wright and Jaelen Johnston were paired together again after battling in a previous round. Hailey delivered a yodel-happy rendition of “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” while Jaelen went indie-country with “Dial Drunk” by Noah Kahan. Both showed major growth, but Ballerini chose to stick with Jaelen based on his consistent performance throughout the competition.

Finally, the episode wrapped with one of the most electric Knockouts of the season: Conor James took on “Forever Young” by Alphaville, while Darius J flipped the vibe with his funky, high-energy take on Estelle’s “American Boy.” Coaches were wowed. Ballerini even joked it would be “illegal” to let either of them go, quipping, “I wouldn’t do good in jail!” Adam Levine praised both, but ultimately kept Conor for his ability to tackle such a tough song. True to her word, Ballerini  jumped at the chance to steal Darius, gushing that she’s “been waiting for this” and calling his quirky joy exactly what her team needs.

With only a handful of slots left before the playoffs, the coaches are tightening the screws – and the artists are bringing their A-game. If this episode proved anything, it’s that originality, risk-taking, and pure emotion are what make a knockout truly unforgettable.

Photo: Art Streiber/NBC