Winners (Magic) and losers (Pistons) from NBA playoffs opening weekend
USA Today • • general
Key Points:
- The first weekend of the 2026 NBA playoffs saw higher seeds mostly hold home-court advantage, with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder delivering a dominant 35-point win over the Suns.
- The Orlando Magic pulled off a surprising upset against the Detroit Pistons, excelling in paint defense and balanced scoring, providing a boost to coach Jamahl Mosley amid pressure.
- Jayson Tatum impressed in his playoff return from an Achilles injury, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, while the Knicks showcased strong defensive versatility against the Hawks.
- The Nuggets-Timberwolves series emerged as a highly competitive and physical matchup with star power, and Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with a 32-point performance against the Raptors.
- Notable disappointments included the Pistons' lack of shooting support despite Cade Cunningham's 39 points, the Rockets' defensive lapses allowing the Lakers to shoot over 60%, and the 76ers struggling without Joel Embiid due to his appendectomy.
