NBA Playoff Bracket 2026 Updated Picture, Schedule After April 25 Results

While there were no elimination scenarios in play, Saturday's action in the 2026 NBA playoffs served as a pivotal moment for teams trying to avoid large series deficits.

The Phoenix Suns dropped their first two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and falling into an 0-3 hole would all but seal their fate.

The New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets are trying to even things up against the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves respectively.

Here's how the day unfolded.

Saturday Results

Orlando Magic 113, Detroit Pistons 105 (ORL leads 2-1)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, 3:30 p.m. (OKC leads 2-0)

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks, 6 p.m. (ATL leads 2-1)

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m. ET (MIN leads 2-1)

Sunday Schedule

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors, 1 p.m. (CLE leads 2-1)

San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 3:30 p.m. (SAS leads 2-1)

Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. (BOS leads 2-1)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets, 9:30 p.m. (LAL leads 3-0)

Saturday Highlights

Magic 113, Pistons 105

The top seed in the Eastern Conference could be in serious trouble.

The Orlando Magic held on to beat the Detroit Pistons 113-105 and go up 2-1 in the series.

Orlando led by as many as 17 points, only to see Detroit completely erase the deficit and tie things up with with a little over three minutes remaining.

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley called a timeout, which allowed his players to get a breather and reset. From there, the Magic rediscovered their offensive groove. Paolo Banchero connected on a long-range jumper inside the final minute to effectively seal the result.

The bounce off the back rim could be something that enters Orlando lore for a long time depending on how the rest of the postseason unfolds.

Banchero nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Teammate Desmond Bane matched his scoring output while knocking down seven three-pointers.

Cade Cunningham will come away frustrated from Game 3 despite dropping 27 points. He shot 8-of-23 from the field and had as many assists as turnovers (nine).

Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in Orlando. The Pistons can ill afford to fall behind 3-1, and it's incumbent upon Cunningham to lead more by example.