East playoff takeaways: Knicks dominate Hawks in G…

May 1, 2026 No Comments

2026 NBA playoffs: Eastern Conference first-round takeawaysNBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsApr 30, 2026, 09:44 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

(3) New York Knicks eliminate (6) Atlanta Hawks 4-2

Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102
Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106
Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108
Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98
Game 5: Knicks 126, Hawks 97
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 not to show up. That’s what the Knicks did, taking Atlanta’s spirit in the Game 4 blowout and the series took shape shortly after. It was the most physical defense the Knicks have played this series and they began to ready themselves for the next round, which could be a rematch with the Boston Celtics. It was a 50-point spread after a parade of Hawks turnovers, with OG Anunoby continuing his torrid play — he outscored Atlanta by himself at a point in the first half. Karl-Anthony Towns had yet another triple-double. Their last three games have at least shown that they’re ready for the next challenge and the second round. — Vincent Goodwill

Round 2 opponent: Winner of Celtics/76ers series (Celtics leads 3-2)

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers lead (5) Toronto Raptors 3-2

Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
Game 2: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89
Game 5: Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Biggest takeaway from Game 5: In some ways, this series has felt like the Cavaliers are up against their own past playoff disappointments. Even after Toronto won consecutive games, Cleveland preached confidence, noting how its mistakes had let the Raptors back into the series. Yet, despite trailing entering the fourth Wednesday, the Cavs rallied to outscore the Raptors 24-17 in the final period, their first playoff win when losing to begin the last quarter since 2018 (also against the Raptors). They had lost their past 22 playoff games when trailing entering the fourth, according to ESPN Research.

The Cavs responded in Game 5 by leaning on their stars: Evan Mobley led the way with 23 points, James Harden added 22 while Donovan Mitchell had 19. The Cavs also got a huge boost and 19 points off the bench from Dennis Schroder, an unheralded trade deadline acquisition, who scored 11 in the fourth.

The Cavs were nearly pushed to the brink of elimination, and they responded with a major comeback victory to take the first step toward moving past their playoff demons. — Jamal Collier

Game 6: Cavaliers at Raptors (Friday, TBD)

What to watch in Game 6: The Raptors nearly stole the game they needed to win in Cleveland on Wednesday night, but now they will return to Toronto to try to extend their season. After winning a game with the worst shooting performance in postseason history, the Raptors responded with their best offensive game of the series, scoring 103 through three quarters and leading the Cavs entering the final period.

Toronto is playing with a lot of confidence with contributions from up and down the roster — six players finished in double figures in Game 5 — and it might need an all-around effort to save its season after another injury Wednesday. All-Star forward Brandon Ingram’s status is in question after he played just 11 minutes in Game 5 before leaving with right heel inflammation. The Raptors are already missing their starting point guard, Immanuel Quickley, who is out for the rest of the series with a hamstring strain. — Collier

(8) Orlando Magic lead (1) Detroit Pistons 3-2

Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83
Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 4: Magic 94, Pistons 88
Game 5: Pistons 116, Magic 109

Biggest takeaway from Game 5: A playoff duel broke out in Detroit between Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero, and the two put on a show.

Banchero scored 45 points, but it wasn’t enough as Cunningham wasn’t ready for his season to end. The Pistons point guard played like the star of the best team in the East in Game 5, and his 45 points kept Detroit’s season alive with an 116-109 win on Wednesday.

The Pistons came out like their season was on the line, attacking the paint and drawing five Magic fouls in the first three-plus minutes. And with no Franz Wagner (right calf strain) to guard him, Cunningham was almost unstoppable at times early. He scored 27 points, making 8-of-14 shots and 8-of-8 from the line, in the first half.

The game got chippy a couple of times with Desmond Bane in the middle of it both times. Despite falling behind by 17 with 8:22 remaining in the second quarter, the Magic kept battling. Banchero did his best to keep up with Cunningham, scoring 22 points in the first half to get the Magic within 66-60 at the break.

Orlando got within 71-69 early in the third as Ausar Thompson had to come out of the game briefly due to injury. But the Pistons kept holding off the Magic.

Now Detroit has life and must win the two remaining games to advance. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Game 6: Pistons at Magic (Friday, TBD)

What to watch in Game 6: Detroit’s season still remains on the brink of elimination, but at least the Pistons have put pressure on the Magic. Orlando returns home knowing it still has two cracks at advancing, but Game 6 is the one it wants to get.

Orlando might not have Wagner for a second consecutive game. His status moving forward is uncertain.

Detroit will return to Orlando knowing that it was right there in the Magic’s wins in Games 3 and 4: Banchero hit a 3 that went high off the rim and in late during Game 3 and Bane banked in a late 3 to pull out Game 4.

If Detroit can get some bounces to go its way, the Pistons just might go home and play for a Game 7. — Youngmisuk

Stat to know: The Magic are the sixth 8-seed to take a 3-1 lead over a 1-seed since NBA playoff seeding began in the 1983-84 season. Four of the previous five 8-seeds went on to win the series, with the lone loss being the 2002-03 Magic, who lost to the Pistons in seven games.

Here are the previous 8-seeds that have taken a 3-1 lead on a 1-seed:

• 2023: Miami Heat over Milwaukee Bucks
• 2012: Philadelphia 76ers over Chicago Bulls
• 2011: Memphis Grizzlies over San Antonio Spurs
• 2007: Golden State Warriors over Dallas Mavericks
• 2003: Orlando Magic over Detroit Pistons

Magic grind out another win to push No. 1 Pistons to brink

(2) Boston Celtics lead (7) Philadelphia 76ers 3-2

Game 1: Celtics 123, 76ers 91
Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97
Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100
Game 4: Celtics 128, 76ers 96
Game 5: 76ers 113, Celtics 97

Biggest takeaway from Game 5: The Celtics did it again. A team that has frustrated its fans endlessly over the past few years with its swings back and forth in the playoffs, particularly at home, laid another egg when it had a chance to close a series out. Boston is now 19-12 over the past three-plus playoffs at home, compared with 17-7 on the road. And the Celtics are now 1-7 at home over that same span when they shoot under 30% from 3, as they have in their two losses in this series. Joel Embiid was tremendous, scoring 33 points to go with eight assists for Philadelphia, and Quentin Grimes had a tremendous impact off the bench. But the story of this game was Boston giving another team life when a series seemed over. — Tim Bontemps

Game 6: Celtics at 76ers (Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock/NBC)

What to watch in Game 6: Can Philly do this again? The 76ers essentially played only six guys Tuesday night, including Joel Embiid for 39 minutes less than three weeks after his appendectomy. But the goal right now is to live to fight another game — and the 76ers did that Tuesday. They also found some things that clicked for them, too — and gave Boston plenty of fits beyond the missed 3-pointers. If the 76ers can somehow get another one Thursday, it would set up a truly fascinating Game 7 back in Boston on Saturday night. But Boston throughout this run has always been at its best on the road — and it will be safe to expect the Celtics to play much better Thursday than they did in Game 5. — Bontemps