NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NBA Playoff Opening Weekend Shocks & Stars

The opening slate of the NBA playoffs delivered immediate drama, particularly in the Eastern Conference where the No. 1 seed Pistons were stunned by the Orlando Magic in Game 1, signaling an urgency from the young Magic squad that had been absent much of the regular season. Orlando, having routed the Hornets by 31 points to secure the eighth seed, carried that momentum into Detroit, while the Celtics immediately asserted themselves, dominating Philadelphia to begin what could be another deep run for Boston and extend the Sixers' streak of playoff series losses to seven. Across the league, the atmosphere was electric, with celebrity sightings courtside across various high-profile matchups as the postseason commenced.

In the West, the reigning champion Thunder cruised past the Suns in a dominant 119-84 victory to open their title defense, though Oklahoma City anticipates an improved performance from Phoenix in the next contest. Meanwhile, the defending champion pedigree was evident elsewhere as the Nuggets relied heavily on Jamal Murray's perfect free-throw shooting, where he converted all 16 attempts, to edge the Timberwolves in a hard-fought Game 1, despite quiet offensive nights from MVP finalist Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. The Western Conference also saw the San Antonio Spurs arrive in matching all-black suits for their first home playoff game since 2019, motivated by an address from Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich who is currently rehabbing from a stroke prior to facing the Trail Blazers.

Rookie Records and MVP Finalists Emerge

Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama immediately made his mark on the postseason stage, shattering a Spurs record by dropping 35 points in San Antonio's 111-98 victory over Portland in their Game 1 matchup. Wembanyama’s stellar debut performance places him in elite company, as he was simultaneously named one of the three finalists for the season's Most Valuable Player award, joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. The Knicks secured a crucial Game 1 victory at home over the Hawks, propelled by Jalen Brunson who dropped 22 of his 28 points in the first half to seal the 113-102 win, marking a hard-fought start to their Eastern Conference series.

Off-Court Happenings & Injury Updates

The league also saw a few updates off the court regarding player relations and injuries, as Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley was sidelined for Toronto's Game 1 loss to the Cavaliers due to a persistent hamstring injury recovery. Elsewhere, Hornets guard LaMelo Ball publicly stated his relief that Heat star Bam Adebayo was not more seriously injured following a second-quarter collision, confirming there was no ongoing friction between the two. Furthermore, the basketball world mourned the loss of Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt, the Hall of Famer known as "the Holy Hand," who passed away Friday at the age of 68. In a surprising non-basketball update, Charles Barkley revealed that his long-standing rift with Michael Jordan is reportedly easing, with the two planning to play a round of golf during the offseason.