NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NBA Playoff Openers & Upsets

The first weekend of the NBA postseason delivered immediate drama, highlighted by a stunning upset in the Eastern Conference where the Magic shocked the heavily favored Pistons in Game 1, displaying an intensity that had been absent for much of the regular season. Orlando, having earned the 8th seed after routing the Hornets 121-90, carried that momentum forward, leaving Detroit reeling in the wake of the loss. In the West, the rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama started his playoff career with 35 points, the highest debut scoring total for a Spurs player, leading San Antonio past the Trail Blazers 111-98 in a contest where the team arrived in matching all-black suits following an inspiring pre-series address from the recovering Gregg Popovich.

The top seeds found mixed success as the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed, the Thunder took Game 1 with a dominant 119-84 victory over the Suns, who had just eliminated the Warriors 111-96 in the play-in tournament. Meanwhile, the defending champion Nuggets edged the Timberwolves in a tight contest where Jamal Murray’s perfection at the charity stripe—hitting all 16 attempts—proved the difference, even as Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon experienced relatively quiet offensive nights. In Boston, the Celtics swiftly managed the Sixers, securing a favorable start in a rivalry matchup aiming to prevent Philadelphia from suffering its seventh consecutive series exit against Boston.

Star Performances and Individual Milestones

The individual brilliance of established stars was on full display, as exemplified by Jalen Brunson, who posted a game-high 28 points for the Knicks, scoring 22 of those in the first half to seal a hard-fought 113-102 victory over the Hawks. Elsewhere, the MVP conversation intensified with the announcement that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama were named the finalists for the season's top honor. The legacy of future Hall of Famer Chris Paul also remains relevant throughout the tournament, as dozens of players he has mentored are currently vying for the championship.

Offseason Speculation & League Developments

As the postseason gets underway, the Warriors immediately face massive uncertainty regarding their coaching staff and roster construction as they search for a viable co-star to pair with Stephen Curry. This contrasts sharply with the Lakers, where the focus remains on managing LeBron James's unique 25-year-old strategic approach to the playoffs, while the Cavaliers dealt with the absence of Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley, who missed Game 1 due to a hamstring injury in their loss to Cleveland. On the administrative front, Clippers president Lawrence Frank reaffirmed the organization's commitment to Kawhi Leonard for the long term, despite the team's end-of-season results.

League News & Tributes

The basketball world mourned the passing of Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt, the Hall of Famer known as the "Holy Hand," who died Friday at the age of 68. Off the court, celebrity arrivals courtside at the playoff games generated buzz, while Charles Barkley revealed that his long-standing rift with Michael Jordan appears to be easing, with plans for a casual golf outing scheduled for the offseason. Furthermore, Charlotte's LaMelo Ball dispelled rumors of any lingering animosity with Heat star Bam Adebayo following a recent on-court collision, stating simply, "It's all basketball."