Apr 19, 2026
The 2026 NBA playoffs began Saturday. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 32 points as the Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors 126-113; James Harden added 22 in his Cleveland playoff debut and Max Strus, who missed most of the season with a left-foot injury and only returned March 15, scored 24 off the bench. The Knicks beat the Hawks 113-102 as Jalen Brunson had 28 and Karl-Anthony Towns added 25. The Celtics dominated the 76ers 123-91, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 51, and the biggest surprise of the opening games was the Orlando Magic taking Game 1 from the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, 112-101.
Here are the key takeaways and what to watch as the East first round continues.
(8) Orlando Magic lead (1) Detroit Pistons 1-0
Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
Biggest takeaway: Orlando carried the confidence and physical, connected defense from its play-in win over Charlotte into Game 1, opening on an 18-5 run and setting the tone with aggressive, communicative defense. Jalen Suggs hustled on every loose ball and Paolo Banchero was efficient and decisive, avoiding too many outside attempts and making the right reads. The Magic took the paint away for most of the night and had answers whenever Cade Cunningham tried to carry Detroit — Cunningham still scored 39, but Detroit couldn’t sustain runs. Franz Wagner (19) was a late-game matchup problem for the Pistons. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Game 2: Magic at Pistons (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What to watch: Detroit needed time to shake off the week off in Game 1; with the layoff over, the Pistons must be the aggressor in Game 2 and not allow Orlando to dictate pace and physicality. Detroit must make Banchero work, find offensive help for Cunningham, and involve Jalen Duren (eight points, seven rebounds in Game 1) more to regain the defensive and interior presence that earned them the top seed. — Youngmisuk
(2) Boston Celtics lead (7) Philadelphia 76ers 1-0
Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91
Biggest takeaway: Philadelphia’s outlook was hampered by Joel Embiid’s emergency appendectomy and the Sixers’ inability to execute the obvious counter to that absence: make 3s and let Tyrese Maxey be the best player on the floor. Philly shot 4-for-23 from long range, Maxey was limited to 21 points and eight assists, and Boston’s duo of Tatum and Brown outplayed everyone. The Celtics controlled the game in every phase; the 32-point margin was Boston’s largest playoff opener in franchise history and underscored the gap between the teams as currently constructed. — Tim Bontemps
Game 2: 76ers at Celtics (Tuesday, 7 p.m., NBA/Peacock)
What to watch: The Celtics must avoid a complacent trap; past teams have let big leads evaporate in Boston. Still, with Embiid out, another dominant Game 2 would put Boston in a commanding position. The Celtics have the talent and the different-minded roster to capitalize if they keep up the intensity and focus. — Bontemps
(3) New York Knicks lead (6) Atlanta Hawks 1-0
Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102
Biggest takeaway: The Hawks entered the series riding a hot offensive stretch but ran into the Knicks’ defense and disciplined second-half play. New York held Atlanta to 45 first-half points and just 47 in the second half, forcing Atlanta into late fouling. Brunson cooled in the second half but still finished with 28; OG Anunoby and Josh Hart were critical in limiting Nickeil Alexander-Walker and C.J. McCollum. The Knicks’ A-game showed why they’re among the league’s best when fully engaged. — Vincent Goodwill
Game 2: Hawks at Knicks (Monday, 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
What to watch: Karl-Anthony Towns was a matchup problem — 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists — and when New York uses him effectively he opens the floor for Brunson and others. Towns took just 13 shots but was 3-of-4 from 3 and shot over 63% from the field vs. Atlanta in the regular season. Expect the Knicks to lean on him again; Atlanta must find ways to prevent Towns from simplifying New York’s offense. — Goodwill
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers lead (5) Toronto Raptors 1-0
Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
What we learned: Cleveland’s backcourt controlled the game once the Cavs locked down Toronto’s transition offense. Donovan Mitchell was efficient with 32 on 11-of-20 shooting; James Harden added 22 points and 10 assists. Together they scored or assisted on 82 of Cleveland’s 126 points (65%), and with Immanuel Quickley out for Toronto, the Cavs’ guards were a decisive advantage. Toronto’s offense petered out in the second half, and unless the Raptors can re-establish transition looks and rhythm, keeping pace will be difficult. — Jamal Collier
Game 2: Raptors at Cavaliers (Monday, 7 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to watch: Toronto’s adjustments hinge partly on Quickley’s health after a hamstring issue cost him Game 1. If he can’t go, the Raptors must find a better offensive cadence and more consistent production from Scottie Barnes, who had 21 points but five turnovers. Cleveland will look to maintain the backcourt pressure that swung Game 1. — Collier