2026 NBA Playoffs: Insights from the Eastern Conference First Round
The 2026 NBA playoffs commenced on Saturday, and our NBA experts are providing comprehensive coverage for each game as teams progress toward the Finals.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors started the series, with Donovan Mitchell and his teammates securing a 13-point victory at home. Mitchell topped all scorers with 32 points, while James Harden made his playoff debut for Cleveland, contributing 22 points. Max Strus, who had been sidelined for the first 67 games of the season due to a left foot injury and made his debut on March 15, came off the bench to score 24 points.
The New York Knicks are set to face the Atlanta Hawks at 6 p.m. ET, although the Hawks will be without Trae Young. Can Jalen Johnson and the revamped Hawks disrupt the Knicks’ plans?
As the Eastern Conference playoffs progress, here are the key points and what to keep an eye on.
More coverage:
West takeaways | Schedules and results | Offseason guides
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers lead (5) Toronto Raptors 1-0
Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
Insights from Game 1:
The opening game of this series unfolded as favorably as the Cavaliers could have anticipated. Following a strong shooting performance from Toronto in the first half, the Cavs restricted the Raptors to 59 points in the second half (including only 22 in the third quarter), neutralizing their transition offense and allowing Cleveland’s star players to control the game’s pace and flow.
Donovan Mitchell concluded the game with 32 points on an efficient 11-of-20 shooting, while James Harden contributed 22 points and 10 assists. Together, they accounted for 82 of the Cavs’ 126 points (65%) through scoring or assisting. Cleveland’s backcourt is poised to be its primary advantage in this matchup, particularly with Toronto missing guard Immanuel Quickley at the start of the series. The duo from the Cavs proved too challenging for the Raptors to manage on Saturday, and Toronto may struggle to keep pace offensively if it cannot rejuvenate its transition game. — Jamal Collier
Game 2: Raptors at Cavaliers (Monday, 7:00 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
What to monitor in Game 2:
What changes can the Raptors implement following such a commanding display from Cleveland? Quickley’s absence was significant for Toronto in Game 1, as the Raptors’ offense had difficulty establishing any rhythm or tempo in the second half.
Raptors coach Darko RajakoviΔ mentioned before the game that Quickley was making progress after sustaining a hamstring injury during the regular-season finale, but it remains uncertain whether he will be fit for Game 2 on Monday. If he is unavailable, the Raptors will need to find ways to enhance their offensive comfort and will require greater contributions from Scottie Barnes, who finished Game 1 with 21 points on 6-of-14 shooting and recorded five turnovers. — Collier
