2026 NBA playoffs: Eastern Conference first-round takeawaysNBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsMay 1, 2026, 10:40 PM ET
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The 2026 playoffs are underway, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game in the march to the Finals. Which top seeds are cruising and which could be in danger of a first-round upset? Which stars are shining and which players are breaking through on the playoff stage?
As the Eastern Conference playoffs continue, here’s what matters most and what to watch in all four series.
More coverage:
West takeaways | Schedules and results | Offseason guides
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers tied with (5) Toronto Raptors 3-3
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Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
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Game 2: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
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Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
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Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89
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Game 5: Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120
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Game 6: Raptors 112, Cavaliers 110 (OT)
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: On the morning before the Raptors faced elimination, RJ Barrett noted how the win-or-go-home environment fit the personality of this team. “We’ve always been a team that fights and scraps,” he predicted. And then Barrett hit the biggest shot of the game, a 29-foot-three-pointer in overtime that bounced off the rim, high in the air and finally landed through the rim to seal a 112-110 Toronto victory. The Cavs forced overtime with a 23-12 rally in the fourth quarter, but the Raptors held on thanks to Barrett’s shot with 1.2 seconds remaining.
Despite missing Brandon Ingram (heel) and the fact that their starting point guard, Immanuel Quickley (hamstring), has missed the entire series, the Raptors forced a decisive Game 7 against the heavily favored Cavs. Scottie Barnes turned in another all-around masterclass. He racked up a double-double before halftime and finished with 25 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds while spending time guarding each of the Cavs stars Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley. Barrett and Ja’Kobe Walter each scored 24 as Toronto picked up the slack by committee in front of an energetic home crowd. — Jamal Collier
Game 6: Raptors at Cavaliers (Sunday, May 3)
What to watch in Game 7: The Cavaliers have the highest-paid roster in the NBA with a superstar duo in Mitchell and Harden, who are trying to overcome their previous playoff disappointments. The pressure will be on the Cavs to win a game at home and avoid a tumultuous offseason in Cleveland. After dropping the first two games, Toronto has been playing with increased confidence since the beginning of Game 3 and can now pull off a massive upset with the first road victory of the series. — Collier
(8) Orlando Magic tied with (1) Detroit Pistons 3-3
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Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
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Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83
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Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105
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Game 4: Magic 94, Pistons 88
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Game 5: Pistons 116, Magic 109
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Game 6: Pistons 93, Magic 79
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: It took an epic second-half comeback and a historic meltdown by the Magic, but the Pistons have finally put together two straight wins in this series, forcing a Game 7. Orlando was 23 minutes away from advancing to the second round, up 62-38 and cruising with 11:11 left in the third quarter. But then, slowly, the Magic vanished and Detroit used a 42-10 run and third-string center Paul Reed to change things inside defensively to snatch Game 6. At one point, Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots, the most consecutive missed shots by any team in a playoff game in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98), according to ESPN Research.
Paolo Banchero went 0-for-8 from 3 and finished with 17 points after having 45 in Game 5. When the Magic offense completely dried up, Desmond Bane couldn’t make a big shot when Orlando needed it most. And once again, the Magic couldn’t stop Cade Cunningham in the second half. He finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds to keep his team’s season alive. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Game 7: Magic at Pistons (Sunday, May 3 )
What to watch in Game 7: Can the Magic recover from this collapse? Detroit goes home confident, looking and feeling like the No. 1 team in the East again. The Magic have been resilient since their play-in rout of the Charlotte Hornets two weeks ago, but this one will be hard to shake by Sunday afternoon.
Orlando won Game 1 in Detroit. But with Franz Wagner still in a walking boot, nursing a strained right calf, the Magic are looking at likely having to play a third straight game without him. The Magic have until 3:30 p.m. Sunday to shake this loss, or else their season could end, having blown a 3-1 series lead, which could certainly mean an offseason of change.
If the Pistons lose Game 7 at home, it will also be a massive disappointment after having the best regular season in the East. There will be a ton of pressure at Little Caesars Arena. — Youngmisuk
(2) Boston Celtics tied with (7) Philadelphia 76ers 3-3
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Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91
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Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97
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Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100
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Game 4: Celtics 128, 76ers 96
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Game 5: 76ers 113, Celtics 97
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Game 6: 76ers 106, Celtics 93
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: The 76ers have found a formula for success. Philadelphia finished with more shots, fewer turnovers and clamped down on Boston’s offensive rebounding, which was an issue earlier in the series. Add in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown being inefficient in isolation, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey scoring effectively and Joel Embiid becoming an excellent hub for the offense to flow around, the 76ers have dictated the run of play the past few games. The Celtics still have an immense advantage from 3-point range, and that could easily be the difference in Game 7. But if Philadelphia can replicate what it did in Games 5 and 6 on Saturday, the 76ers have a chance — in the franchise’s 19th time being down 3-1 in its history — to finally complete a comeback. — Tim Bontemps
Game 7: 76ers at Celtics (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, Prime)
What to watch in Game 7: The story of this series has been pretty simple: In the three games Boston has won, it has shot almost 42% from 3-point range. In the three games the Celtics have lost, they have shot under 30% from 3. It’s dangerous to simplify things to that degree, but it’s consistent with how the Celtics have typically played under coach Joe Mazzulla. Boston is now 17-1 when it shoots 40% or better in the playoffs, and 19-19 when it shoots under 40% — including 4-9 when it shoots under 30%. For all the strategic things that can be discussed about this matchup, if you could predict Boston’s 3-point shooting percentage Saturday, you’d have a pretty good indication of how this game will go. — Bontemps
(3) New York Knicks eliminate (6) Atlanta Hawks 4-2
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Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102
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Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106
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Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108
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Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98
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Game 5: Knicks 126, Hawks 97
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Game 6: Knicks 140, Hawks 89
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: There’s no point in beating down the Hawks when you can wait for them to not show up. That’s what the Knicks did, crushing Atlanta’s spirit with three consecutive blowouts in Games 4-6. Thursday’s clincher featured the most physical defense the Knicks have played this series as they readied themselves for the next round, which could be a rematch with the Boston Celtics. It was a 51-point spread after a parade of Hawks turnovers, with OG Anunoby continuing his torrid play. He outscored Atlanta by himself at one point in the first half. Karl-Anthony Towns had yet another triple-double. The Knicks’ past three games have at least shown they’re ready for the next challenge and the second round. — Vincent Goodwill
Round 2 opponent: Winner of Celtics-76ers series (Celtics lead 3-2)
