The 2026 NBA Playoffs have officially begun, starting on April 18 after a thrilling Play-in Tournament. The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic emerged victorious, securing their spots in the playoffs.
The 76ers defeated the Magic 109-97 to clinch the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Magic powered past the Charlotte Hornets with a commanding 121-90 win to secure the eighth seed.
In the Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers edged out the Phoenix Suns 114-110, while the Golden State Warriors triumphed over the Los Angeles Clippers with a close score of 126-121.
This year’s Play-in Tournament, introduced in 2021, allows teams ranked seventh to tenth in each conference to compete for playoff spots. It has certainly added excitement to this season’s playoffs.
The first round matchups are set: in the Eastern Conference, it’s Pistons vs. Magic, Celtics vs. 76ers, Knicks vs. Hawks, and Cavaliers vs. Raptors. In the Western Conference, fans can look forward to Thunder vs. Suns, Spurs vs. Trail Blazers, Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, and Lakers vs. Rockets.
Notably, Deni Avdija made headlines by scoring an impressive 41 points in his game against the Suns—a performance that will be remembered as he leads his team into this playoff season.
As for Stephen Curry, he scored a remarkable 35 points against the Clippers, showcasing his talent and determination to guide his team further into the playoffs.
With these matchups set and teams eager to prove themselves, basketball fans are eager to see how these first-round games unfold. Excitement is building as every game counts towards potential championship glory.
Details remain unconfirmed about which teams will advance beyond this round. Yet, one thing is clear: every game will be a battle for survival in pursuit of that coveted title.
