The 2026 NBA playoffs have arrived. The first round tipped off Saturday with four Game 1s. The Cavaliers took care of the Raptors in the day’s opener, with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden combining for 54 points in a 13-point victory. The Nuggets followed suit at home, pulling away from the Timberwolves behind 30 points from Jamal Murray and a triple-double from Nikola Jokić.
Later Saturday, the Knicks used a dominant second half to cruise past the Hawks 113-102 at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 53 points in the win for New York. The night will wrap up with the Lakers hosting the Rockets without Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves. On the Houston side, Kevin Durant is out with a knee injury he sustained this week in practice.
The postseason field has already been trimmed from 20 teams to 16 as the Play-In Tournament wrapped up Friday night. The Heat, Clippers, Hornets and Warriors were all knocked out during the play-in, while the 76ers, Magic, Trail Blazers and Suns made the playoff field.
NBA playoff schedule, scores: April 18
Odds via FanDuel
Game 1: No. 4 Cavaliers 126, No. 5 Raptors 113Game 1: No. 3 Nuggets 116, No. 6 Timberwolves 105Game 1: No. 3 New York Knicks 113 vs. No. 6 Hawks 102Game 1: No. 4 Lakers (+2.5) vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets, 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo
CBS Sports will have live updates, analysis and highlights throughout the day’s action. Follow along below.