2026 NBA playoffs: Eastern Conference first-round takeawaysNBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsApr 24, 2026, 09:52 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
(2) Boston Celtics lead (7) Philadelphia 76ers 2-1
Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91
Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97
Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100
Biggest takeaway from Game 3: Boston has, for the better part of a decade, been carried to one playoff win after another by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And on Friday in South Philly, that’s what happened again. It was a 10-point run by Brown — beginning with a steal and setting up a Derrick White bucket on a fast break, then scoring eight points in a row himself — that gave Boston separation for a final and decisive time late in the fourth quarter. Tatum hit a pair of massive 3-pointers to slam the door and give Boston back home-court advantage in this best-of-seven affair. — Tim Bontemps
Game 4: Celtics at 76ers (Sunday, 7 p.m., ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to watch in Game 4: The potential return of Joel Embiid? The superstar center got upgraded to doubtful on Thursday and wasn’t fully ruled out until a couple of hours before Friday’s tipoff. With another 48 hours to heal before Game 4, the door is open for Embiid to potentially make his return for the first time since undergoing an emergency appendectomy over two weeks ago. Beyond that, we’ve seen this series be dictated by Boston’s shotmaking, with great shooting games carrying the Celtics in Games 1 and 3 (both wins) and a rough one leading to a Game 2 loss. So which shooting version of the Celtics will show up? — Bontemps
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers lead (5) Toronto Raptors 2-1
Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
Game 2: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
Biggest takeaway from Game 3: This was a superstar performance from Scottie Barnes on both ends of the floor. He led all scorers with 33 points, adding 11 assists and five rebounds all while hounding both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden defensively. RJ Barrett was a viable co-star, adding 33 points and knocking down six 3’s. They are the third Raptors duo with at least 30 points in a playoff game in franchise history (Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry, 2019, and DeMar DeRozan and Lowry, 2016).
Meanwhile, the Cavs star duo struggled. Mitchell shot 7-for-16 for 15 points and Harden went 5-of-13 for 18 points. Toronto got strong performances from up and down the roster, including 22 points off the bench from Collin Murray-Boyles and four 3’s from Jamison Battle, who didn’t play in the first two games of the series. The two combined (36) to outscore Mitchell and Harden (33). — Jamal Collier
Game 4: Cavaliers at Raptors (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What to watch in Game 4: The Raptors responded to get back in the series and now the pressure shifts back to the Cavs to assert themselves in Game 4 on Sunday in a series they dominated through the first two games. Toronto attacked Cleveland’s weaker defenders more relentlessly in Game 3, hunting mismatches and forcing Harden to work defensively. And the Raptors were aggressive, sending double-teams at the Cavs’ best players Thursday night as Mitchell, Harden and Evan Mobley struggled shooting from the field. The Cavs are facing adversity for the first time during this playoff run. Let’s see how they respond to it. — Collier
(6) Atlanta Hawks lead (3) New York Knicks 2-1
Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102
Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106
Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108
Biggest takeaway from Game 3: The Atlanta Hawks are doing everything they can to make life uncomfortable for the New York Knicks, and they are succeeding. From the onset, they grabbed early leads and had the Knicks fighting from behind all night.
The Knicks were only surviving, first with Jalen Brunson, then OG Anunoby. But it was Atlanta that was the desperate team, especially Jonathan Kuminga, who was opportunistic on offense and repeatedly getting out in the open floor. He and the Hawks sensed an opportunity and seized it. Now the Knicks are at a place they don’t like being: on the ropes. — Vincent Goodwill
Game 4: Knicks at Hawks (Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to watch in Game 4: More Miles McBride for the Knicks. It’s clear Mikal Bridges hasn’t found his way in this series, and Mike Brown doesn’t have much patience for him right now. He was a minus-24 in 20 minutes of playing time and was pulled early in the second half, only playing a couple more minutes later. McBride hit critical 3-pointers to pull the Knicks back to within striking distance. — Goodwill
(1) Detroit Pistons tied with (8) Orlando Magic 1-1
Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83
Biggest takeaway from Game 2: The Pistons vowed to look more like the East’s best team that won 60 games by bringing the physicality. It showed at the start as Detroit swatted seven shots in the first quarter.
The game resembled more of a rock fight in the first half as both teams, who play similar physical styles, went into the half tied at 46-46. Cade Cunningham picked up where he left off in Game 1 when he had 39 points. The Pistons’ star had 15 points in the first half, looking like the best player on the court again.
Orlando’s Jalen Suggs had another big first half, matching Cunningham in points to help the Magic offset Desmond Bane missing his first six shots. But Detroit slammed the door on any thoughts of a second straight upset.
The Pistons imposed their will in the third quarter and the Magic buckled under a 30-3 avalanche in front of Bad Boys legends Isiah Thomas, Ben Wallace and Rip Hamilton. By the time the run was over, Detroit led 76-49.
Jalen Duren pledged to take more than the four shots he put up in Game 1, and though he didn’t score until nearly midway through the second quarter, the All-Star center finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Cunningham’s 27 points led the way. Paolo Banchero (18 points), Franz Wagner (12 points) and Wendell Carter Jr. (three points) did not have the same impact inside as they did in Game 1. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Game 3: Pistons at Magic (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, NBCSN/Peacock)
What to watch in Game 3: Though Game 2 felt like Detroit delivering an emphatic reminder of who is the No. 1 seed in the East and restoring order to this series, Orlando accomplished what it needed to do in Game 1 by snatching home-court advantage. The Magic now return home as they look to replicate their previous showing at the Kia Center when they demolished Charlotte last Friday in a play-in game that kept their season going.
Orlando has to put Game 2 behind it with a chance on Saturday in Game 3 to really apply some pressure on Detroit. The Pistons can’t afford to let the Magic get out of the gate quickly as they did against the Hornets and get the home crowd hyped. Detroit’s confidence, though, never wavered and the team appears to have found its groove again. If the Magic are going to have any shot at winning this series, Banchero and Wagner will have to be at their best while Orlando tries to find a way to slow down Cunningham. — Youngmisuk
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