NBA Playoffs Are Here: Wembanyama Sets Record, Magic Steal Game 1 in Detroit

NBA Playoffs Are Here: Round 1 Game 1 Recap The 2026 NBA Playoffs have officially tipped off, and the opening weekend delivered exactly the kind of drama basketball fans have been waiting for. From dominant performances by the top seeds to a stunning road upset in Detroit, the first round is already shaping up to be a classic. In the Eastern Conference, the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic pulled off the only road victory of the opening day, stunning the top-seeded Detroit Pistons 112-101. Paolo Banchero led the way with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, stealing home-court advantage right out of the gate. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers all took care of business at home to secure 1-0 series leads. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder showed exactly why they are the No. 1 seed, dismantling the Phoenix Suns 119-84 in a statement blowout. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense with 25 points and 7 assists. In Los Angeles, the Lakers defended Crypto.com Arena with a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets, fueled by Luke Kennard's 27 points and a vintage 19-point, 13-assist performance from LeBron James. But the biggest story of the weekend came in San Antonio, where Victor Wembanyama made his highly anticipated playoff debut. The transcendent big man poured in 35 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots to lead the Spurs past the Trail Blazers. His 35 points set a new NBA record for the most points ever scored in a playoff debut, immediately putting the rest of the league on notice. With Game 2s tipping off across the league, the intensity is only going to ramp up. The Pistons will be fighting to avoid an 0-2 hole at home, while the Suns desperately need to find answers for the Thunder's relentless attack. Related reading: Check out our full breakdown of the 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket and see how the final day of the regular season shaped the standings in our NBA Final Day Chaos recap.