Duncan Robinson splashes a big-time 3 late in the fourth quarter (0:20)Duncan Robinson splashes a big-time 3 late in the fourth quarter (0:20)
NBA InsidersMultiple AuthorsMay 1, 2026, 09:40 PM ET
(8) Orlando Magic tied with (1) Detroit Pistons 3-3
(2) Boston Celtics tied with (7) Philadelphia 76ers 3-3
(3) New York Knicks eliminate (6) Atlanta Hawks 4-2
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers lead (5) Toronto Raptors 3-2
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.
Paolo Banchero went 0-for-8 from 3 and finished with 17 points after having 45 in Game 5. When the Magic offense completely dried up, Desmond Bane couldn’t make a big shot when Orlando needed it most. And once again, the Magic couldn’t stop Cade Cunningham in the second half. He finished with 32 points and 10 rebounds to keep his team’s season alive. — Ohm Youngmisuk
Orlando won Game 1 in Detroit. But with Franz Wagner still in a walking boot nursing a straight right calf, the Magic are looking at likely having to play a third straight game without Wagner. The Magic have until 3:30 pm on Sunday to shake this loss, or else their season could end, having blown a 3-1 lead in the series, which could certainly lead to an offseason of change.
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
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.
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: It took an epic second-half comeback and a historic meltdown by the Magic, but the Pistons have finally put together two straight wins in this series, forcing a Game 7. Orlando was 23 minutes away from advancing to the second round, up 62-38 and cruising with 11:11 left in the third quarter. But then, slowly, the Magic vanished and Detroit used a 42-10 run and third-string center Paul Reed to change things inside defensively to snatch Game 6. At one point, Orlando missed 23 consecutive shots, the most consecutive missed shots by any team in a playoff game in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98), according to ESPN Research.
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: The 76ers have found a formula for success. Philadelphia finished with more shots, fewer turnovers and clamped down on Boston’s offensive rebounding, which was an issue earlier in the series. Add in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown being inefficient in isolation, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey scoring effectively and Joel Embiid becoming an excellent hub for the offense to flow around, the 76ers have dictated the run of play the past few games. The Celtics still have an immense advantage from 3-point range, and that could easily be the difference in Game 7. But if Philadelphia can replicate what it did in Games 5 and 6 on Saturday, the 76ers have a chance — in the franchise’s 19th time being down 3-1 in its history — to finally complete a comeback. — Tim Bontemps
Biggest takeaway from Game 6: There’s no point in beating down the Hawks when you can wait for them to not show up. That’s what the Knicks did, crushing Atlanta’s spirit with three consecutive blowouts in Games 4-6. Thursday’s clincher featured the most physical defense the Knicks have played this series as they readied themselves for the next round, which could be a rematch with the Boston Celtics. It was a 51-point spread after a parade of Hawks turnovers, with OG Anunoby continuing his torrid play. He outscored Atlanta by himself at one point in the first half. Karl-Anthony Towns had yet another triple-double. The Knicks’ past three games have at least shown they’re ready for the next challenge and the second round. — Vincent Goodwill
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.
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
Duncan Robinson splashes a big-time 3 late in the fourth quarter (0:20)Duncan Robinson splashes a big-time 3 late in the fourth quarter (0:20)
More coverage: West takeaways | Schedules and results | Offseason guides
Round 2 opponent: Winner of Celtics-76ers series (Celtics lead 3-2)
Duncan Robinson splashes a big-time 3 late in the fourth quarter (0:20)
Game 7: 76ers at Celtics (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, Prime)