East playoff takeaways: Hawks take series lead, Raptors fight back

April 24, 2026 No Comments

2026 NBA playoffs: Eastern Conference first-round takeawaysNBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsApr 23, 2026, 10:07 PM ET

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 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, while 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 in 2016).

Meanwhile, the Cavs star duo struggled. Mitchell shot 7-for-16 for 15 points while 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 3: Cavaliers at Raptors (Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime)

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 on 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 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 three-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

Bickerstaff’s fiery speech provides ‘spark’ in Game 2 win over Magic

(2) Boston Celtics tied with (7) Philadelphia 76ers 1-1

Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91
Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97

Biggest takeaway from Game 2: The 76ers had their worst shooting game of the season in Game 1, not only in makes and misses but in their mentality. After playing incredibly free and loose in their play-in win over the Magic last week, the 76ers looked tight from the jump Sunday.

The team vowed a different approach in Game 2, and it delivered. Philadelphia came out firing, particularly rookie VJ Edgecombe, who hit six 3-pointers en route to a team-high 30 points. It will take a lot more work for the 76ers to have a chance of winning this series, but things look a lot different than they did 48 hours prior. — Tim Bontemps

Game 3: Celtics at 76ers (Friday, 7 p.m., ET, Amazon Prime)

What to watch in Game 3: How will Boston respond? The Celtics were a staggering 14.5-point favorites heading into Game 2 after the demolition of the 76ers in Game 1 but proceeded to miss a ton of 3-pointers, stagnate at both ends of the floor and let a team off the mat. Heading to Philadelphia tied 1-1, we’ll see how the Celtics respond to their newfound adversity.

Another positive for the 76ers: Joel Embiid has begun a strength and conditioning program, so whether or not the former MVP can return from his emergency appendectomy less than two weeks ago will be a massive storyline as this series unfolds. — Bontemps