When did the 2026 NBA Playoffs Round 1 start?

NBA Playoffs 2026 Round 1 tipped off April 18, 2026. All 8 first-round series opened in the first 2-3 days. Best-of-7 format — first team to 4 wins advances.

Which team has been the biggest upset story?

Orlando Magic upset East #1 Detroit Pistons in Game 1 at Detroit. This was the only series where a lower seed won Game 1. Pistons with 64 regular-season wins now face must-win pressure.

How is Brandon Ingram playing for the Raptors?

Rough start. Game 1 loss to Cavs 126-113, Ingram scored 17 points on only 9 shots — too few for an All-Star. Game 2 he shot 2-of-9 against Dean Wade's defense. Toronto trails 0-2.

How is Lakers vs Rockets different this time?

Lakers won Game 1 behind LeBron's 30+ points, but the young Rockets trio (Sengun, Thompson, Green) stayed close. At 41, the question is whether LeBron can sustain form over 4-5 rounds.

Who is favored to win the 2026 NBA Finals?

Oklahoma City Thunder (West #1) and Boston Celtics (East #2) are favorites. Odds: Thunder +230, Celtics +350, Nuggets +550. Magic is a dark horse if the Pistons upset continues.

LIVENBA PLAYOFFS 2026 · ROUND 1 · APRIL 18 - MAY 2

The Second Season Begins

NBA Playoffs 2026 Round 1: Magic Upset Pistons, Knicks Roll

Published: April 21, 2026

NBA Playoffs 2026 Round 1 tipped off April 18. Magic stunned top-seed Pistons. Knicks, Celtics, Thunder, Lakers all took Game 1. Full bracket coverage.

Brandon Ingram warming up before Raptors Game 1 against Cavaliers — Photo: Sports Illustrated — Brandon Ingram warming up before Raptors Game 1

Key Takeaways

01Magic upset Pistons — only lower seed to win Game 1
027 of 8 home teams won Game 1 — home court still matters
03Cavs lead Raptors 2-0 after Ingram struggles
04LeBron James leads Lakers to Game 1 win over Rockets
05Title favorites: Thunder (West) and Celtics (East)

Bracket & Series Status

Eastern Conference

#1Detroit Pistonsvs#8 Orlando MagicMagic lead 1-0

#2Boston Celticsvs#7 Philadelphia 76ersCeltics lead 1-0

#3New York Knicksvs#6 Atlanta HawksKnicks lead 1-0

#4Cleveland Cavaliersvs#5 Toronto RaptorsCavs lead 2-0

Western Conference

#1Oklahoma City Thundervs#8 Phoenix SunsThunder lead 1-0

#2San Antonio Spursvs#7 Portland BlazersSpurs lead 1-0

#3Denver Nuggetsvs#6 Minnesota TimberwolvesNuggets lead 1-0

#4Los Angeles Lakersvs#5 Houston RocketsLakers lead 1-0

UPSET ALERT

Orlando Magic Topple Detroit Pistons

The Pistons, East #1 with 64 regular-season wins, were beaten at home by 8-seed Orlando Magic in Game 1. This was the only series in which a lower seed won on the road. Cade Cunningham was held under 20 points while Paolo Banchero led the Magic with superb form.

2026 NBA Playoffs roundtable preview with playoff analysis — Photo: Yahoo Sports — 2026 NBA Playoffs roundtable preview

Player Spotlights

Raptors locker room in playoffs — Photo: Raptors Republic — Toronto Raptors playoff locker room

Jalen Brunson (Knicks)

35 points in Game 1 vs Hawks — led Knicks to 113-102 win.

Brandon Ingram (Raptors)

Only 9 shots Game 1, 2-of-9 Game 2. Raptors 0-2 in series.

LeBron James (Lakers)

Age 41, 30+ points Game 1 vs Rockets. Still can close.

Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)

Triple-double leads Nuggets past Timberwolves in Game 1.

Paolo Banchero (Magic)

Led 8-seed to 1-seed upset — series MVP candidate?

▸ Vietnamese NBA fans watched Game 1 from 7-9 AM VN time. Full Round 1 takes ~2 weeks — a compact Euros-like experience. Pick your team carefully — March Madness taught us upsets are routine.

2026 NBA Championship Odds

Thunder

+230

Celtics

+350

Nuggets

+550

Knicks

+900

Lakers

+1200

Cavs

+1400

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything Vietnamese NBA fans need to know about Round 1 of the 2026 Playoffs.

By Long Bui · Sports Editor

Published: April 21, 2026

sports·nba playoffs 2026 · nba bracket 2026 · magic pistons upset · knicks hawks game 1