2026 NBA Playoffs Live Updates: R1 | Magic-Pistons Kicks Off ESPN Doubleheader
Follow the best of Wednesday's 2026 NBA Playoffs action â Magic-Pistons and Suns-Thunder â with the NBA.com live blog.
Ben Lambert, for NBA.com
Updated on April 23, 2026 12:31 AM
Tobias Harris and the Detroit Pistons host the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first-round series on ESPN. Follow all the action live on NBA.com as the 2026 NBA Playoffs continue.
Tuesdayâs live blog: 76ers, Trail Blazers steal home-court advantage
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Our doubleheader begins with Paolo Bancheroâs Magic looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead by defeating Cade Cunninghamâs Pistons on the road in Detroit (7 ET). The nightcap (9:30 ET) features Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderâs Thunder taking on Devin Bookerâs Suns. Both games air on ESPN.
APRIL 22, 2026 / 8:25 ET
Tied at 46 at the Half
In a defensive battle, Orlando and Detroit are tied at halftime. The teams combined for 18 assists and 21 turnovers in the first half. The Pistons lead points in the paint 32-18, while the Magic lead fast-break points 10-6. Jalen Suggs (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) and Cade Cunningham (15 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast) are leading the offensive charge.
APRIL 22, 2026 / 7:58 ET
Suggs Catching Fire
Jalen Suggs (10 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) is rallying the Magic, who trail 33-30 with 6:46 left in the second quarter. Orlando went 34-23 with the Gonzaga product this season, compared to 11-14 without him.
APRIL 22, 2026 / 7:50 ET
Classic Pistons Defense
7 BLOCKS⌠IN 1 QUARTER! DET's 7 blocks in the 1st quarter tie the record for the MOST in any 1st quarter in the postseason play-by-play era (since 1998) đ¤Ż
This mark has been reached only two other times:
âŞď¸ Bulls at Celtics (April 20, 2009)
âŞď¸ Pistons at Pacers (May 22, 2004)
pic.twitter.com/JD8wia9DKf â NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2026
APRIL 22, 2026 / 7:41 ET
Pistons Lead 25-21 After One
Coming off a 39-point Game 1, Cade Cunningham (9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) is rolling again.
OKAY, Cade đ¤ 9 points in 9 minutes for Detroit's star guard! Pistons looking to even the series on ESPN đż
pic.twitter.com/FUESo0wi9O â NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2026
Jalen Suggs (7 pts) is Orlando's top scorer so far.
APRIL 22, 2026 / 7:23 ET
Pistons Have the Crowd Roaring
Detroit started 6-of-10 from the field. A Duncan Robinson 3-pointer and a Tobias Harris fast-break jam forced an early Magic timeout. Pistons lead 14-7 with 6:42 left in the first quarter.
APRIL 22, 2026 / 6:30 ET
Starting Lineups: Magic-Pistons, Game 2
Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons host the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first-round series on ESPN. All stats below are from Sundayâs Game 1, a 112-101 Magic win.
Orlando:
PG Jalen Suggs (16 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast)
SG Desmond Bane (17 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast)
SF Franz Wagner (19 pts, 5 reb)
PF Paolo Banchero (23 pts, 9 reb)
C Wendell Carter Jr. (17 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast)
Detroit:
PG Cade Cunningham (39 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast)
SG Duncan Robinson (9 pts, 3 3PM)
SF Ausar Thompson (8 pts, 7 reb)
PF Tobias Harris (17 pts, 6 reb)
C Jalen Duren (8 pts, 7 reb)
Keep an eye on Isaiah Stewart off the Pistonsâ bench â he was a team-high +6 in their Game 1 loss and could help slow down Paolo Banchero.
APRIL 22 / 6:15 ET
Tonightâs Injury Report
ORL: Jonathan Isaac (Out).
PHX: Grayson Allen (Questionable), Mark Williams (Questionable), Jordan Goodwin (Questionable).
OKC: Thomas Sorber (Out).
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