Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) gestures after scoring against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The most elite defenders of the NBA’s 2025-26 season include San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren.
The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award:
Holmgren is coming off an NBA All-Star appearance for the first time in his young career. He’s on the chase for a second-straight NBA championship, becoming the fourth Zag to win an NBA title last summer (Los Angeles Lakers’ Adam Morrison in 2009 and 2010, Miami Heat’s Ronny Turiaf in 2012, and San Antonio Spurs’ Austin Daye in 2014).
Through 69 starts for the Thunder, the 7-1 talent averaged 17.1 points on a shooting split of 55.7 percent from the field, 36.2 percent on three-pointers, and 79.2 percent at the charity stripe. His 8.9 rebounds per game rank tied for No. 11 in the NBA, while his 1.9 blocks per game are tied for No. 2. StatMuse lists a defensive rating of 104.1 for the world’s up-and-coming basketball star.
At the start of the first round of the 2o26 NBA Playoffs, No. 8-seeded Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks made it clear he was going to annoy No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City’s man in the middle during the entirety of the series. Holmgren got the last laugh in Game 1’s 119-84 victory, dropping 16 points on 5-10 shooting, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
Dillon Brooks wouldn’t let Chet Holmgren hold the ball before the game. 🤣
Victor Wembanyama (centre), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic have been nominated for the NBA's MVP award [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama starred on his NBA play-off debut as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98.
Wembanyama, one of three contenders for the Most Valuable Player award, scored a game-high 35 points, including 21 in the first half, as the Spurs won game one of the best-of-seven series.
"It's good to get this one out of the way," the Frenchman said. "We just tried to do the things we've been doing all year and stay solid.
"There was pressure on us to win the first game, but it wasn't that much pressure if we just stayed to the plan."
Elsewhere, defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics both made dominant starts to the post-season.
The Thunder - the number one seeds in the Western Conference - thrashed the Phoenix Suns 119-84, led by last year's Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who had 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Jayson Tatum scored 25 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists - and Jaylen Brown added 26 points - as the second-seeded Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91.
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic stunned Eastern Conference top seeds Detroit Pistons 112-101 to take a 1-0 lead in their seven-game series.
Victory for the eighth-seeded Magic, who qualified for the play-offs via the play-in tournament, extends an unwelcome NBA record for the Pistons, who have not won a post-season game at home for 11 matches dating back to 2008.
Forward Paolo Banchero starred with 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists, to help the Magic overshadow Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham's play-off best haul of 39 points.
"[We] didn't come out with the right energy, gave them life early on," said Cunningham. "Then we had to deal with that for the rest of the game.
"There's no confidence drop from us. It's going to be a long, fun series."
Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference)
Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Rockets -4.5; over/under is 205.5
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference first round with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Lakers won the last meeting 107-98 on Sunday, led by 27 points from Luke Kennard. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 19.
The Lakers are 33-19 in conference play. Los Angeles has an 8-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Rockets are 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Houston ranks second in the Western Conference allowing only 110.0 points while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.
The Lakers' 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.6 fewer made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Rockets allow. The Rockets are shooting 47.9% from the field, 0.4% lower than the 48.3% the Lakers' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Deandre Ayton is averaging 12.5 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 18.3 points over the last 10 games.
Kevin Durant is averaging 26 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 18.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 7-3, averaging 113.2 points, 41.0 rebounds, 28.5 assists, 9.6 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 53.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.0 points per game.
Rockets: 8-2, averaging 121.5 points, 47.8 rebounds, 28.1 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.2 points.
INJURIES: Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (rib), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
Rockets: Kevin Durant: day to day (knee), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Victor Wembanyama has played exactly one playoff game and he is already setting both NBA and San Antonio Spurs records.
Wembanyama scored 35 in his first playoff game, passing Tim Duncan for most points ever by a Spur in their playoff debut. He had 12 points in the first quarter and 21 in the half — the most points scored in the first half of a playoff debut since the league started tracking play-by-play data (1997). Wembanyama also was defensively dominant in the paint.
Basically, just another game for the MVP finalist. The Spurs' depth also was on display, such as some huge 3-pointers from Devin Vassell in the third quarter, which helped the Spurs pull away and not look back, picking up a 111-98 Game 1 win.
The Spurs lead the first-round series 1-0, with Game 2 on Tuesday night in San Antonio.
It was a solid all-around outing from the Spurs, who got 17 points each from Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox, and that duo combined for 15 assists. Portland had its moments and made runs, including cutting the San Antonio lead to two in the third quarter, before the Spurs turned on the jets. Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Scoot Henderson — selected just two spots back of Wembanyama — added 18 points in a quality game for him.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 23: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While we’ll get to SGA and Jokić, the most legitimate complaint is Wemby’s inclusion over Luka. While Wemby is a generational superstar on the cusp of taking over the league, he’s also someone who played 400 fewer minutes than Luka, who needed an exception to even be ruled eligible for consideration.
At a certain point, minutes played has to matter.
The Spurs were extra careful with Wemby throughout the season, which they’re entitled to do. However, it should also come with consequences, especially compared to players who took on heavier burdens for their teams and performed as well or better.
To that point, there is not a player more valuable to their team than either Luka or Jokić. This becomes a semantic debate about the name of the award being Most Valuable Player and not something like Most Outstanding Player. By definition, Luka is more valuable to the Lakers than SGA is to the Thunder or Wemby is to the Spurs.
However, that also isn’t how voters have treated the award basically ever, so that point is more moot and not really worth arguing.
At the end of the day, Luka was one of the three most valuable players to his team. He had a fantastic season. He actually played heavy minutes. He carried a team. That should warrant him finishing in the top three in voting at the very least.
But I guess he needed to campaign his way into being a finalist like other players.
The opener to a playoff series has been critical for both of these teams in the past: The Hawks are 3-38 in series when they trail 1-0, and the Knicks hold a 36-8 edge in series when they win Game 1. Atlanta is 0-21 when falling behind 2-0 in best-of-7 series.
In the regular season, the Knicks won two of three from the Hawks, and the road team won in all three games. New York has won six of the past seven against Atlanta.
With his 29th career playoff game of at least 25 points, Brunson tied Hall of Famer Walt Frazier for second-most in franchise history (trailing only Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing with 43). Karl-Anthony Towns helped Brunson late in the game, scoring 19 of 25 points in the second half (including a team-high 11 points in the fourth quarter). It was the fourth time that Brunson and Towns each scored at least 25 points in the same playoff game, tying Patrick Ewing and John Starks for the most playoff games by a duo with at least 25 points apiece in franchise history.
Along with McCollum, Jalen Johnson (23 points), Onyeka Okongwu (19 points) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17 points) also scored in double figures for the Hawks in Game 1. No other Atlanta player had more than eight points.
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
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The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers kick off a tripleheader of NBA playoff games Monday night on NBC Sports platforms.
The Raptors won all three regular-season meetings, but the Cavaliers romped to a 126-113 victory in Game 1 by capitalizing on a 36-22 third quarter and leading by as many as 24 points. Seven-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 32 points.
RJ Barrett had 24 points for Toronto, which was without starting point guard Immanuel Quickley (16.4 ppg, 5.9 apg) because of a hamstring injury.
See below for additional information on the Raptors-Cavaliers game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers game preview:
Mitchell extended his record streak of scoring at least 30 points in Game 1 of a playoff series to nine games (Michael Jordan is second with seven). The Cleveland superstar's Game 1 streak dates to 2020 with Utah when he scored 57 points against Denver (the third-highest playoff total in NBA history).
James Harden added 22 points and 10 assists for the Cavaliers, and he now is the only player in NBA history with 20 points and 10 assists in a playoff game for five teams (Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland). Harden has score 20 points with 10 assists in 24 playoff games, tying him with John Stockton and Steve Nash for sixth all-time.
Brandon Ingram, Toronto’s leading scorer in the regular season at 21.5 points per game, was held to 17 points on only nine field goal attempts (his season average was 16.7 per game). The Raptors led the league in the regular season with 18.9 fast-break points per game but had only three fast-break points in Game 1, their fewest this season.
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON — With the first quarter clock winding down, Jordan Walsh sprinted as fast as he could down the court. In perfect harmony, Jayson Tatum found him for a transition layup to beat the buzzer, and the Celtics extended their lead over the Philadelphia 76ers to 15 in the opening game of the playoffs.
In the grand scheme of things — a 32-point Celtics victory — the sequence wasn’t particularly consequential, though it did amp up the TD Garden crowd.
For Walsh, however, it was the very first time he’d tallied a basket in the NBA playoffs.
As such, he turned to the Celtics bench, emphatic: after two years of riding the Celtics bench during the playoffs, the 22-year-old was a part of the postseason action. And, he was far from the only guy on the roster getting that first taste of the playoffs.
On Sunday, in a 123-91, wire-to-wire Celtics win over the 76ers, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, Luka Garza, and Baylor Scheierman all saw their first meaningful playoff action.
Before Game 1, the foursome had combined for a total of 31 playoff points. And, in one raucous afternoon at TD Garden, they nearly matched that number; Queta (13 points), Garza (7 points), Walsh (5 points), and Scheierman (5 points) combined for 30 in the victory.
“I know the coaches have been talking to them,” said Sam Hauser, who started his first-ever NBA playoff game on Sunday. “Just saying, like, ‘Be ready. Might be five minutes, could be 20. Just never really know. But, [you] just got to make your minutes count.’”
In their own way, they each did just that.
And, even Sam Hauser, a relative vet compared to some of the younger guys, played his most-ever playoff minutes (28), and recorded a playoff-career-high 7 rebounds. Hauser also made the second-most threes (4) of his playoff career.
“There’s definitely some anxiety, to just kind of get stuff going,” Hauser said. “You’re just anxious; you want to get out there and get the ball tipped off.”
Each of the playoff newcomers found a different way to make their impact
Mazzulla, from the jump, stressed to the less experienced guys on the roster that the playoffs are not actually all that different from the regular season.
“I mean, you have to offensive rebound in the regular season, you have to sprint to get a transition layup, you have to defend without fouling, and you have to know your personnel,” Mazzulla said. “You have to do all the things that you can control. And it’s a credit to those guys being ready to do that.”
Queta, in his first playoff career start, made all five of his field goal attempts in his 15 minutes, while battling early foul trouble (he finished the night with 5 fouls, clearing the way for Nikola Vucevic and Luka Garza to both see substantial action).
Walsh came in with four minutes left in the first quarter and took on the Tyrese Maxey defensive assignment with fervor. Mazzulla went out of his way to point out the importance of his end-of-first-quarter transition layup.
Garza and Scheierman started the second quarter together, and each immediately made a big-time play; Garza grabbed an offensive rebound and converted two free throws. Scheierman sank a floater and swatted a Paul George layup on the next possession — plays his head coach recounted after the game.
None of them put together their biggest game of the year, but all of them did just enough to impact the Celtics positively.
“We just need guys to be ready to make plays,” Mazzulla said. “And they did that tonight.”
For Jaylen Brown, the message to the young guys was simple
Ultimately, it was Tatum (25 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) and Jaylen Brown (25 points (26 points, 3 assists) who headlined the Celtics, as they’ve done countless times before. The veteran duo has made it to five Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals.
Tatum and Brown have now played in a whopping 116 playoff games together. On Sunday, they looked like the two best players on the floor, just as they have dozens of times through their playoff journeys — even with Tatum just 11 months removed from his Achilles rupture.
Before the game, Brown had a message for his less-experienced teammates: “Just breathe. Manage your emotions. They might go on a run. They might not go on a run, but just stay together. Win the fight. Be the harder-playing team and guard. Don’t save yourself for offense. Offense is going to be fine if we defend.”
Asked Jaylen Brown what his message was to the young guys on the roster who effectively made their playoff debuts tonight:
“Just breathe. Manage your emotions. They might go on a run. They might not go on a run, but just stay together. Win the fight. Be a hard-player team and… pic.twitter.com/9sZIXeWMsG
Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket between Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) and center Donovan Clingan (23) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Victor Wembanyama put up the highest individual scoring total in the playoffs by a Spur all time tonight, and San Antonio alternated between moments of sheer glory and pangs of growing pains in a game 1 win over Portland 111-98. San Antonio took advantage of the Blazers’ errant shooting outside of Deni Avdija’s laborious efforts to jump ahead by as much as 16 in the first half. The Spurs were blitzed coming out of the half by an opening 8-0 run that brought Portland within two. Devin Vassell, their second-longest tenured veteran, became a man possessed in the third quarter to help San Antonio snag the lead back for good.
Wembanyama (35 points [5-for-6 from 3], 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Stephon Castle (17 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds) did much of the early labor for San Antonio and De’Aaron Fox (17 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds) ascended later on for the victorious second-seeded Spurs. Vassell’s (15 points and 2 blocks) timely shooting and air defense kept Portland at bay, and Luke Kornet (10 points and 6 rebounds) ensured no dropoff whenever Wembanyama sat. Rookies Dylan Harper (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assist) and Carter Bryant were mostly neutral in their respective minutes, which was decent enough for their first playoff action.
Avdija (30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) steadied the young Blazers through the first 2 1/2 quarters, while Scoot Henderson (18 points) came on later in the game to make an impact. Toumani Camara played some Bruce Bowen-like defense to pester the younger Spurs. Robert Williams III (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Shaedon Sharpe (10 points) helped the Blazers outscore the Spurs’ bench counterparts in the first half
The teams – with a smattering of errant shots, choppy execution, and higher acuity of physical contact – struggled from the onset. Avdija scored an early seven, while Castle had five of his own. Portland did the equivalent of a hockey ‘forecheck’ to keep the Spurs from leaking out on the break, but they struggled from distance outside of a Williams three and Sharpe jumper. The Spurs’ offensive diet was spread out primarily among the non-Champagnie starters with Wembanyama scoring 9 and Castle 7. Johnson matched Avdija’s late jumper with a buzzer-beating three and San Antonio left the period up nine.
Portland saw more of its outside shots go down at the start of the second and got as close as five. But the Spurs unfurled their pick-and-roll to get Wembanyama two lob slams, while Fox caught fire later. Kornet slammed home beautiful feeds from Fox and Castle to keep the pressure on Portland. Camara drew an outsized number of fouls throughout the half, but Johnson flagged down three of the team’s eight offensive rebounds. Avdija’s and-1 got the Blazers to within seven. Despite Williams’ third dunk of the half and Castle being whistled for his third foul, San Antonio still went to the half up ten.
Portland drew as close to two of the Spurs with Advija’s teammates initiating an opening 8-0 run. Vassell turned the Spurs’ third quarter from a potential disaster into a personal display of his two-way competitiveness and maturity. More importantly, Julian Champagnie hit a few shots and joined Vassell as the necessary release valves that they had been most of the season. After an Avdija injury, San Antonio kept Portland mostly off the scoreboard and went to the fourth up 87-72.
Clingan Maneuver: Deep into the third quarter, Donovan Clingan, already a non-factor in the game, was turned away at the rim by Kornet on a dunk try and then Vassell on the next attempt.
If the top franchise centers can wear their giveaway shirts, everyone else needs to, as well.
Tirico immediately addressed the colorful palette of giveaway shirts gorgeously Fiesta-ly patterned by section. He’s the best.
Henderson whined like a teething baby on all of his fouls tonight.
I’m kinda sad that NBC doesn’t use the Frost Bank / downtown San Antonio backdrop as part of its arena backgrounds on the cutaways from action. Even Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center gets some love on those commercial breaks.
Kelly Olynyk turned 35…. and future Austin Spurs coach by 2030. Mainly on the strength of those ankle socks.
Keldon’s Kitchen: His first attempt looked slow and mechanical, but under the pressure of the first quarter clock, his next one looked pure.
Devin’s Deeds: He hounded Jerami Grant multiple times on the same possession late in the opening frame and Bryant deflected the Blazer’s ensuing pass attempt.
Sequence of the Game #1: At the start of the second, Harper ran an impressive pick and roll up the right side with Wembanyama and managed to throw a lob to the center with his left hand (going away from his body – it’s hard to do it with your strong hand).
Sequence of the Game #2: After forcing a long Blazer miss partway through the second, Fox took the carom and sent it 50 feet up the floor to Champagnie who patiently scooted crosscourt and spoonfed Vassell for a catch-and-shoot three to put San Antonio up 10.
Sequence of the Game #3: Partway into the third quarter, and right after Tirico said “Vassell, he’s EVERYWHERE on the floor,” the veteran guard hit a transition wing three to put the Spurs back up 11. This came after two emphatic blocks and a noticeable jump in his involvement on both ends.
Game Rundown
Wembanyama and Avdija missed their first shots from the tip, but produced quickly from there. Castle banked in his first jumper and his first triple followed after. Henderson’s three put the Blazers up three. Wembanyama put Advija in the spin cycle for a gorgeous lay-up – which caused Tim Duncan and David Robinson to shake their heads – and hit a pull-up three moments later. The teams remained glued to 21-15 over several possessions, and Johnson pestered Advija into an airball. Fox’s stepback three put the Spurs up nine. Wembanyama impressively blocked Sharpe’s floater, but was called for a loose-ball foul on the follow through. Despite Avdija putting up over half of his team’s points, Johnson’s buzzer-beating three got San Antonio to 30-21.
Camara and Sharpe made a mini-run to slice into the Spurs’ advantage to start the second. Two Wembanyama lob dunks followed by a Harper lay-up kept it a three-possession game. With Wembanyama lurking everywhere, the Spurs forced Portland into a shot-clock violation. Jumpers from Vassell and Fox offset Avdija’s scoring, and Fox’s previous make gave him room to set up a nice lob to Kornet. Fox’s transition three put the Spurs up 14. Kornet wrestled an errant Castle miss and gutted home a floater over three Blazers. A pair of Williams dunks brought the Blazers within ten. Coach Johnson challenged a questionable offensive foul call on Castle (knee-to-knee with Holiday) in the final 90 seconds and it was unsuccessful – also costing Castle a third foul. San Antonio held a tenuous 59-49 advantage at the half.
Henderson sandwiched a transition lay-up and triple around a Holiday three, and Portland quickly shrunk the deficit to two. A Castle lob dunk was the only field goal over 4+ minutes of the third for San Antonio. Despite that futility, Portland was unable to tie or take the lead. Fox was the first Spur to attack Avdija on the defensive end to draw the Blazer’s first foul. Champagnie slapped away a transition pass and received a skip pass to hit his first three. Vassell had a turbocharged handful of minutes on both ends, while Kornet had a powerful presence with Wembanyama resting, to help San Antonio get its lead back into double digits. Avdija and Williams awkwardly collided with each other, and San Antonio used the last three minutes to extend its lead to 15.
For the Blazers fan’s perspective, please visit Blazers Edge.
San Antonio hosts Portland for game 2 on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM CDT (note the earlier tipoff) on NBA / Peacock.
It was as if a switch had flipped coming out of halftime in Game 1, as the Knicks neutralized a Hawks strategy that was hurting them more than anything else.
Most on-ball screens involve a smaller ball handler and bigger center or forward to try to create an opening or force a switch and create a mismatch. But the Hawks utilized a less common version during the Knicks’ 113-102 win to open their Eastern Conference first-round series Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Atlanta frequently ran small-small actions — a guard screening for another guard — and it gave the Knicks fits defensively in the first half. It was particularly effective in the second quarter, when the Hawks shot 9-for-18 from the field and 5-for-7 from 3-point range as they erased an 11-point deficit. But the Knicks adjusted and cleaned it up in the third quarter, when the Hawks shot just 8-for-21 from the field and 2-for-7 from 3-point range while the Knicks rebuilt their lead.
“Their small-small pick-and-roll also is a problem,” coach Mike Brown said after the game. “And our guys did a pretty good job of defending that the right way in the second half. It kind of got away from us early in the game, and they got some open looks from it, but our level of physicality without fouling was really good in the second half, as well as our communication with their small-small pick-and-roll.”
Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels #5 drives to the basket during the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Usually, the small-small actions involved CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It was a good way for the Hawks to target Jalen Brunson, who primarily was guarding McCollum and largely is considered the worst Knicks defender.
During that first half, Brunson had a particularly rough time staying with McCollum, who got a plethora of open looks. McCollum scored 12 of his 26 points in the second quarter. It created a few open looks for Alexander-Walker, too, though he wasn’t as efficient at capitalizing on them.
But Alexander-Walker shot a stellar 39.9 percent from 3-point range this year, taking a high volume of them (8.1 per game). It would behoove the Knicks not to bank on him continuing to miss quality shots.
“The way they do it, they got to the point where they mastered it, and they’re really good at it,” Brunson said after practice Sunday. “Them being able to slip out of screens and get to the point where they’re ready to go and their feet are set and ready, they’re really good at it. We just gotta be ready to be more physical. At the same time, communicate a little better, just making sure we’re not giving them the space. I think a lot of teams that have multiple ball handlers do that because it’s a very unique action that can put one of the two in space.”
The Hawks do have multiple capable ball handlers. Their strength is in their quick guards and wings rather than their bigs.
It’s an area that presented the Hawks with an opportunity to find one of their only on-paper advantages in this series. The Knicks’ 3-point and perimeter defense was inconsistent and was a talking point all year, though it got better by the end of the regular season. Often, miscommunication was at the heart of it.
For one half, it was exposed.
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum #3 goes up for a shot as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson #23 jumps to defend during the second quarter. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“I think we can get better on our communication, especially on guard-guard [actions],” Josh Hart said Sunday. “For the first game, it was solid, but we have to be better.
“For sure, I think we can clean it up. That communication of small-smalls, not allowing them to get [McCollum] and [Alexander-Walker] open shots. They’re talented players. Obviously, you just try to get them to shoot as many contested shots as you can. So the communication’s got to be better. The physicality was good, but we have to ramp that up. … I think they do a really good job of spreading into those screens and slipping out, those kinds of things.”
The strategy has big-picture ramifications, too. It’s something the Knicks will have to deal with if they meet the Celtics in the second round.
“That’s something that Boston does an amazing job of, and I feel — I won’t say they started it, but they really elevated it,” Hart said. “And it’s a copycat league. And you see that and say, ‘OK, how can we figure that out? How can teams do that?’ So it’s a little unnatural. I think the best way to guard those and negate those open looks is communication.”
So far, the Hawks’ small-small actions are not a big Knicks issue. But it’s surely something they’ll continue to throw at them.
That was the Orlando Magic we have been waiting for all season.
From the opening tip, the Magic were the more physical team and pushed the No. 1 seed Pistons around, scoring 54 points in the paint (20 more than Detroit). Orlando started the game aggressively on defense and started hot on the other end — 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-4 from the arc — while Detroit was an offensive mess, starting 1-of-6 shooting with four turnovers.
The result was that just four and a half minutes into the game, the Magic were up 13 and getting whatever they wanted.
Detroit never caught up.
"I thought we were a little rusty to start," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Giving up a 35-point quarter, that's not typical of us. I felt like we were chasing them all night."
While Detroit made some runs, they never got over the hump and Orlando pulled off the upset, 112-101. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Detroit.
Paolo Banchero was the best No. 1 pick on the court in this game, finishing with 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, with nine rebounds. All five Magic starters scored at least 16 points, with Franz Wagner adding 19 on the night.
This was two monster games from the Magic in a row, including crushing Charlotte in the final play-in game. Orlando, finally healthy, may be peaking at the right time.
Detroit has some work to do to bounce back in Game 2.
There were a couple of concerns about the Pistons heading into the playoffs. One was who would be the secondary scoring behind Cade Cunningham? Turns out, nobody in Game 1. Cunningham was every bit the All-NBA player, putting up 39 points and leading the offense, but the only other Piston to score in double-figures was Tobias Harris with 17, and he shot 5-of-15 on the night.
The other concern was a lack of shooting, and that played out, too. Detroit shot just 36.8% outside the paint, including 31.3% from 3-point range. Orlando did not have to respect Detroit's shooters.
Which led to a rough night for Jalen Duren, who had just eight points on 3-of-4 shooting in his 33 minutes.
"They packed the paint," Bickerstaff said. "They're going to put a bunch of bodies in the paint to make it difficult on him." Detroit earned the No. 1 seed with its defense, but the Magic's 114.3 offensive rating for the night was right about their season average. On the other hand, Detroit's offensive rating of 102 was more than 15 points below its season average.
Detroit's going to have to match Orlando's physicality and be better in the paint in Game 2 — two areas where the Pistons thrived during the regular season.
All season long, the Pistons bounced back from adversity and exceeded expectations. Doing that in the playoffs is the real test, however.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 15: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic during the SoFi Play-In Tournament on April 15, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After an extended voting window for NBA awards, we are finally getting to the actual announcements. The NBA named finalists for all major awards during Pistons-Magic coverage. Unsurprisingly, the Sixers’ VJ Edgecombe was named a finalist for the 2026 NBA Rookie of the Year award, alongside Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel and Dallas’ Cooper Flagg.
The three finalists for the 2025-26 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award:
For most seasons, VJ Edgecombe’s 2025-26 campaign would be good enough to lock up Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old averaged an impressive 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 75 games, playing 35 minutes per contest and shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from three and 81.1 percent from the free throw line. As his playing time reflects, he was a key piece in the Sixers’ rotation who helped them make a postseason appearance. The role, wins and individual numbers are all Rookie of the Year-caliber. However, this isn’t like most ROTY races. In fact, you could argue this is the best one in quite some time.
Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel was instrumental in their midseason turnaround. The former Blue Devil showed historical efficiency and shooting. Then there’s Cooper Flagg, who might be the best 18-year-old in NBA history, with a 50-point game under his belt and numerous 40- and 30-point performances. As things stand, Knueppel appears to be the favorite, with Flagg narrowly behind.
Whatever happens, Edgecombe’s place among the finalists is well earned. His numbers, role and proven production throughout the season make a compelling case, and the mid-year growth he showed only strengthened it. In a weaker class, this would be a straightforward conversation. But finishing as a finalist in arguably the best rookie class in years is no small thing. Edgecombe held his own against two stellar talents, and that alone says plenty about the kind of player the Sixers have on their hands.
As for the winner, it remains to be seen when the league will make that announcement. NBA PR issued a week-long slow drip press release for all major awards outside of this one, so the timeline is anyone’s guess.
The winners of the following awards will be announced this week:
MON: Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year TUE: Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year WED: Kia NBA Sixth Man Award THU: NBA Sportsmanship Award FRI: Kia NBA Most Improved Player
DETROIT — Paolo Banchero had 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists to lead the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic to a 112-101 win over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons on Sunday night in Game 1 of their first-round series, extending the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history.
Detroit has dropped 11 straight home games in the postseason, a drought that dates to 2008.
The Pistons will get another chance against Orlando on Wednesday night in Game 2.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of their teammates were quiet offensively.
“We’re sick about losing this one,” Cunningham said after the loss. “It’s a long series.”
Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball while defended by Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the game during Game 1. NBAE via Getty Images
“We didn’t come out with the right energy,” he added.
Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for the Magic, who never trailed. Orlando’s Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter scored 17 points each and Jalen Suggs had 16.
The Pistons haven’t advanced beyond the first round in the postseason in 18 years and the Magic haven’t since 2010.
Orlando looked ready and Detroit looked rusty early.
The Magic, coming off a rout of Charlotte in a play-in game on Friday, led 18-5 midway through the first quarter after holding the Pistons to 1-of-6 shooting with four turnovers in their first game in a week.
Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NBAE via Getty Images
Detroit rallied to pull within two before Orlando closed with six straight points to lead 35-27 after Banchero and Suggs combined to score 20 points.
The Magic led 55-51 at halftime.
The Pistons came out flat in the second half and Orlando took advantage, scoring eight of the first nine points and prompting Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff to call a timeout.
“We were chasing them all night,” Bickerstaff said. “We made some runs to get ourselves back in the ballgame.”
Detroit scored 10 straight points and 13 of 15 to pull into a 65-all tie on Cunningham’s 3-pointer.
Banchero answered with a long jumper over Jalen Duren and Bane followed with a 3-pointer over Cunningham, leading to the Magic restoring a double-digit lead. Orlando led 81-74 going into the fourth quarter.
“They’ve been off and we’ve found a little bit of a rhythm,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That always plays a part in it.”
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 25 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder began their title defense with a 119-84 rout of the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Sunday.
The reigning league MVP made just 5 of 18 field goals but went 15 of 17 at the foul line before sitting out the fourth quarter.
Jalen Williams scored 22 points and Chet Holmgren added 16 for the top-seeded Thunder, who will host Game 2 on Wednesday.
Devin Booker scored 23 points and Dillon Brooks scored 18 on 6-of-22 shooting for the Suns, who shot 34.9% from the field.
Phoenix broke out to a 5-0 lead as the Thunder started cold following a week off.
Oklahoma City heated up quickly. Brooks was called for a flagrant-one foul in the first quarter for hitting Holmgren in the face. The Thunder went on a 12-2 surge after that to take a 24-14 lead.
CELTICS 123, 76ERS 91
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his first playoff game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon last season, and Boston rolled past Philadelphia in Game 1 of the first-round series.
Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and Neemias Queta added 13 for the second-seeded Celtics.
Tatum scored 21 points in the first half, playing in just his 17th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon.
Boston never trailed, building a 35-point lead as coach Joe Mazzulla gave minutes to 12 players. The Celtics connected on 16 3-pointers.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Boston.
Tyrese Maxey had 21 points and eight assists for the 76ers, who played without Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP continues to recover following an appendectomy on April 9. It’s unclear when he will be able to return.
Paul George scored 17 points and V.J. Edgecombe added 13. Philadelphia was 4 of 23 from 3-point range.
Maxey was hounded by a Celtics defense that contested 12 of his 14 shot attempts in the first half and held him to 8 of 20 from the field.
Philadelphia’s 64-46 halftime deficit was its largest in a playoff game against Boston since 1982.
MAGIC. 112, PISTONS 101
DETROIT (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists to lead eighth-seeded Orlando to a win over top-seeded Detroit in Game 1 of their first-round series, extending the longest home playoff losing streak in NBA history.
Detroit has dropped 11 straight home games in the postseason, a drought that dates to 2008.
The Pistons will get another chance against Orlando on Wednesday night in Game 2.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham scored a playoff career-high 39 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Pistons, but the rest of their teammates were quiet offensively.
Franz Wagner scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory for the Magic, who never trailed. Orlando’s Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter scored 17 points each and Jalen Suggs had 16.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 19: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic plays defense on Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons during the game during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The playoffs are here, but Detroit’s still looking for their first home playoff win since 2008.
The Orlando Magic started off on a 13-5 run, including eight points from an active Jalen Suggs. They were able to extend their lead 18-5 until a Cade Cunningham three stopped the bleeding. After Isaiah Stewart met Paolo Banchero at the rim for a hell of a left-handed block, a Cunningham dunk in transition made it a 27-20 Orlando lead. A 12-0 Detroit run eventually tied the game at 27, but the Magic ended the first quarter on a 8-0 run to take a 35-27 lead heading into the second.
Coach of the Year finalist JB Bickerstaff stuck to his 11-man regular season rotation, though, three early fouls on Duncan Robinson left extra guard minutes on the floor in the first half. Detroit had multiple opportunities in the second to take the lead for the first time in the game, but could never find that basket when they needed it. Ausar Thompson looked like a Defensive Player of the Year finalist throughout the second quarter as his verticality shined on offensive rebounds and his quickness forced multiple turnovers.
Orlando went into halftime with a 55-51 lead. Detroit’s offense needed more outside of Cunningham’s 14 points, but the Magic packed the paint as Jalen Duren only had three field goal attempts. Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris combined to shoot 3-for-12.
The Magic were able to go on another run as they started the second half on a 8-1 run that forced a Bickerstaff timeout. Detroit responded with eight straight points of their own after Harris knocked down a much-needed corner three. And yet, just as the Pistons got close to taking the lead again, Orlando responded with another run, this time with a 12-3 response to force another JBB timeout with the Magic up 79-68 with four minutes left. Detroit was struggling to generate good shots on offense and Orlando held a seven-point lead heading into the fourth.
A Duncan Robinson three brought Little Caesars Arena alive to make it a 85-81 game, but Jalen Suggs silenced the crowd with his own three to respond. Orlando started 6-for-6 as a Franz Wagner floater from 18 feet forced a Detroit timeout and extended the Magic lead to eight. All of Orlando’s early shot attempts were difficult or well-contested but they went in nonetheless.
Cunningham hit a midrange jumper for his 30th point and the Magic held a 101-92 lead with six minutes left in the game. He was doing his best to carry the offensive load with his shot creation in the Orlando defense and didn’t get much help from his teammates. The Magic offense made difficult shots throughout the fourth to maintain their lead the whole game and they’d go on to win 112-101.
This is now the 11th straight home playoff game the Detroit Pistons have lost and they weren’t good enough on either side of the court tonight. Every Magic started had at least 16 points and were able to convert on field goals down low as they outscored Detroit 54-34 in the paint. To be blunt, the Magic played a better version of Detroit’s playstyle.
Cunningham looked like a future MVP even after his recent return from a collapsed lung as he finished with 39 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Tobias Harris had 17 points, though, he shot 5-for-15 from the field and 1-for-7 from deep. Harris and Daniss Jenkins combined to miss 11 three-pointers and no other Piston finished in double digits. Javonte Green and Caris LeVert each played less than five minutes.
Orlando did a great job of limiting Jalen Duren on both ends as he only had eight points and seven rebounds, but he only had four shot attempts as well. After being Cade’s right-hand-man all year long, JB Bickerstaff is going to have to find ways to get Duren more involved on the offensive end in Game 2. Most of all, JBB can’t let Orlando be a better version of Detroit wants to be.
They’ll respond and play like the #1 seed that they are.
Vaughn Dalzell
