Top Stories Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, First Round | Home Teams Sweep Game 1
The 2026 NBA Playoffs Begin Today! Home Teams Perfect in Game 1
Updated on April 19, 2026 4:02 AM
We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from the day’s action. We’ve got a quadruple-header on one of the best basketball days of the year!
Last night’s live blog: Magic, Suns earn eight seeds
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What we know after Saturday’s games:
Cavaliers Defeat Raptors in Game 1: Cleveland shot 54 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range in their Game 1 victory. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 32 points, while James Harden had a 22-point, 10-assist double-double.
Nuggets Defeat Timberwolves in Game 1 on Prime. Denver ripped off a 14-0 run in the third quarter and took command from there. Nikola Jokić recorded another triple-double while Jamal Murray led the team with 30 points.
Knicks Defeat Hawks in Game 1 on Prime: New York took care of business with a home win in Game 1. They led by 19 points in the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 53 points.
The Lakers Defeat the Rockets on ABC: Los Angeles had one of its best offensive performances of the season, shooting 61 percent from the field and 53 percent from 3-point range.
Saturday’s Scores
Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113 (CLE leads 1-0)
Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105 – (DEN leads 1-0)
Knicks 113, Hawks 102 – (NYK leads 1-0)
Lakers 107, Rockets 98 – (LA leads 1-0)
Top Performers of the Day
- Nikola Jokić collected 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Jamal Murray had 30 points, five rebounds and seven assists in that victory.
- Donovan Mitchell amassed 32 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in a victory against the Toronto Raptors.
- James Harden had 22 points and 10 assists in that win.
- Jalen Brunson finished with 28 points, five rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
- Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks as well.
- LeBron James provided 19 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists in a win over the Houston Rockets. Luke Kennard also scored 27 points.
JAMAL MURRAY AND NIKOLA JOKIC HANDLE THE WOLVES IN GAME 1 😤 THIS DUO IN THE PLAYOFFS>>>> pic.twitter.com/vs1Mp4N1GX — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 18, 2026
Game 1 ✅
Jalen 28 PTS | 5 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL
KAT 25 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 3 BLK
OG 18 PTS | 8 REB | 1 STL
Josh 11 PTS | 14 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL
Mikal 11 PTS | 2 REB
Jordan 8 PTS | 2 REB
pic.twitter.com/iisoJXgexq — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2026
Donovan keeps adding to NBA history. @spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/dFcMobQeon — Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 18, 2026
"When you're number 1 all-time in regular-season AND playoff scoring…" You can even impress yourself! 19 POINTS, 13 DIMES, 8 BOARDS FOR LEBRON IN THE LAKERS GAME 1 WIN. pic.twitter.com/asfxyuglYa — NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 11:18 ET
Lakers Defeat Rockets, 107-98
Los Angeles shot 61 percent from the field and 53 percent from 3-point range while holding Houston to 38 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range. Luke Kennard led the way with 27 points, four rebounds and three assists. LeBron James tallied 19 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists. Deandre Ayton amassed 19 points and 11 rebounds. Game 2 will be on Tuesday.
Game Won. pic.twitter.com/x4xNVLTAgd — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 19, 2026
LUK3 K3NNARD pic.twitter.com/me7tC3Y9CT — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 19, 2026
LeBron with the LEFT 😤 pic.twitter.com/vjDGYi5hPA — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 10:52 ET
Lakers Lead Rockets After 3Q, 75-66
Los Angeles has held the lead for all but a few minutes in this game. The Lakers are shooting 57 percent from the field while holding the Rockets to 33 percent. Luke Kennard leads LA with 18 points and four rebounds. LeBron James had 10 points, five rebounds and 10 assists. Amen Thompson leads Houston with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Amen has your back 🤝 pic.twitter.com/Ymxi7A5Fad — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 10:24 ET
Top Performers of the Day
- Nikola Jokić collected 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Jamal Murray had 30 points, five rebounds and seven assists in that victory.
- Donovan Mitchell amassed 32 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in a victory against the Toronto Raptors.
- James Harden had 22 points and 10 assists in that win.
- Jalen Brunson finished with 28 points, five rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
- Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks as well.
JAMAL MURRAY AND NIKOLA JOKIC HANDLE THE WOLVES IN GAME 1 😤 THIS DUO IN THE PLAYOFFS>>>> pic.twitter.com/vs1Mp4N1GX — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 18, 2026
Game 1 ✅
Jalen 28 PTS | 5 REB | 7 AST | 1 STL
KAT 25 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 3 BLK
OG 18 PTS | 8 REB | 1 STL
Josh 11 PTS | 14 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL
Mikal 11 PTS | 2 REB
Jordan 8 PTS | 2 REB
pic.twitter.com/iisoJXgexq — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2026
Donovan keeps adding to NBA history. @spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/dFcMobQeon — Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 18, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 9:52 ET
Lakers Lead Rockets at the Half, 50-48
That second quarter was a defensive struggle, with Houston outscoring Los Angeles, 19-17. The Lakers are still shooting 65 percent from the field while holding the Rockets to 37 percent shooting. LeBron James has six points, three rebounds and 10 assists. Alperen Şengün leads Houston with 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Bron & Bronny sharing the floor early in Game 1! Father & Son postseason minutes 💯 pic.twitter.com/rzr8Kp4yYn — NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
Game 1 has been a good one in LA 🍿 Watch the second half of Rockets-Lakers on ABC and the ESPN App 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BPwEkjwYC0 — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 19, 2026
Sengun serving the dish 🍽️@FanttikOfficial pic.twitter.com/nT7Bybd6RQ — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 9:26 ET
Lakers Lead Rockets After Q1, 33-29
These shorthanded teams looked poised throughout the first quarter. The Lakers shot 15-for-19 from the field. LeBron James recorded the most assists he’s ever had in a quarter, dishing out eight assists. Luke Kennard leads LA with 11 points.
LeBron's playoff accolades are unreal 🤯 His 19th postseason is underway! pic.twitter.com/CEAMIjR6lk — NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
LBJ MAKING PLAYS ALL OVER 😤 He's scored or assisted on 13 of 17 @Lakers points… they lead early in Game 1! pic.twitter.com/UvuAlMRwsm — NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 9:00 ET
Knicks Defeat Hawks, 113-102
New York leads this series, 1-0. The Knicks shot 48 percent from the field and 48 percent from 3-point range. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 28 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 25 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks. CJ McCollum led Atlanta with 26 points.
THE KNICKS TAKE GAME 1 AT MSG! pic.twitter.com/TGp7iEWgyI — NBA (@NBA) April 19, 2026
New York City, you are now rockin' with KAT & Brunson. You gotta love it 💰 KNICKS TAKE GAME 1 VS. ATLANTA 🗽 pic.twitter.com/Q7JMHBBkQk — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 19, 2026
LGK 😤 pic.twitter.com/gf9zTXvDp1 — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 8:43 ET
Lakers-Rockets Starters Announced
Houston will be without Kevin Durant, while Los Angeles will play without Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić The Lakers have won four of their last five games against the Rockets. Check out the action on ABC
Tipping off the postseason for your Lakers@ToyotaSoCal | #SuitingUpTogether pic.twitter.com/6KtmeSGT34 — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 19, 2026
Game 1️⃣ starting 5️⃣@ReliantEnergy pic.twitter.com/J1S1RmwL5M — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) April 19, 2026
Singular focus. pic.twitter.com/ssZOwpqdBD — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 8:19 ET
Knicks Lead Hawks After 3Q, 83-74
New York is shooting 48 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range. Jalen Brunson leads all scorers with 26 points, five rebounds and six assists. CJ McCollum leads Atlanta with 22 points.
12 minutes to go pic.twitter.com/hgMZvZR95V — Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 19, 2026
cap finds OG for the SLAM 😤 pic.twitter.com/UEdOkBhkGD — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 19, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 7:58 ET
Cavaliers and Nuggets Take Game 1s
Cleveland and Denver both took care of homecourt earlier. The Cavaliers beat the Raptors, 126-113. The Nuggets beat the Timberwolves, 116-105 Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double for Denver while Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 32 points.
🏆 SATURDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏆
Donovan Mitchell's big day leads the @cavs to victory in the first game of the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google!
Max Strus: 24 PTS (8-10 FGM)
James Harden: 22 PTS, 10 AST
Evan Mobley: 17 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST
Game 2: Monday, 7pm/et, Peacock
pic.twitter.com/H7I9raciS3 — NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
🏆 SATURDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏆
Nikola Jokić opens the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google with a triple-double as the @nuggets defend home court!
Game 2 is Monday at 10:30pm/et on NBC & Peacock.
Jamal Murray: 30 PTS, 5 REB, 7 AST
Aaron Gordon: 17 PTS, 8 REB
https://t.co/m8IwlSt9tp
pic.twitter.com/FJ8e1sxLHA — NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
APRIL 18, 2026 / 7:29 ET
Knicks Lead Hawks at the Half, 57-55
There were four ties and six lead changes in the opening half. New York shot 49 percent from the field while Atlanta is sitting at 46 percent. Jalen Brunson leads the way with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists. CJ McCollum leads the Hawks with 17 points.
See the second half on Prime be right back pic.twitter.com/CCMcIL9nBb — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 18, 2026
Onyeka Okongwu beats the buzzer!
@ATLHawks 55
@nyknicks 57
Tight Game 1 at the break on Prime 🍿
pic.twitter.com/5T3dIanKNK — NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
move out his way 😤 pic.twitter.com
Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs — Home Teams Sweep Opening Games of First Round
