Pistons and Magic Tip Off NBA Playoff Series

Top-seeded Pistons face off against eighth-seeded Magic in first round of 2026 NBA playoffs

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with overlapping planes of blue, red, and white shapes representing the players and action on the court.The Pistons and Magic's first-round playoff clash features a clash of young NBA stars and contrasting styles of play.Today in Orlando

The 2026 NBA playoffs continue on Sunday night as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (60-22) take on the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic (46-38) in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Magic earned their playoff spot by blowing out the Hornets in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Friday.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the NBA's rising young stars in Cade Cunningham of the Pistons and Paolo Banchero of the Magic. The Pistons are looking to make a deep playoff run after a dominant regular season, while the Magic are hoping to pull off an upset as the lower seed.

The details

The Pistons, led by All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, had a stellar 60-22 regular season record to earn the top seed in the East. The Magic, led by second-year forward Paolo Banchero, secured the eighth seed by defeating the Hornets in the Play-In Tournament.

  • The first-round series tips off on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • The Magic defeated the Hornets in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Friday, April 17, 2026 to clinch the eighth seed.

The players

Cade Cunningham

All-Star guard for the Detroit Pistons and the team's leading scorer and playmaker.

Paolo Banchero

Second-year forward for the Orlando Magic who led the team to the playoffs as the eighth seed.

Detroit Pistons

The top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference with a 60-22 regular season record.

Orlando Magic

The eighth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference that earned their playoff spot by defeating the Hornets in the Play-In Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get this playoff series started against a tough Orlando team. Cade has been leading us all season and we're confident we can make a deep run.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

“Making the playoffs is a big accomplishment for our young team. We're going to give the Pistons everything we've got and see if we can pull off the upset.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

What’s next

Game 1 of the first-round series between the Pistons and Magic is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.

The takeaway

This first-round matchup features two of the NBA's most exciting young teams and players. The top-seeded Pistons are favored, but the upstart Magic will look to pull off the upset and advance in the playoffs.