Detroit Pistons fall to Orlando Magic in Game 1

Cade Cunningham scores 39 points in losing effort

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:13am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with the players and court fragmented into overlapping planes of vibrant blue, red, and white colors.The Pistons' playoff opener against the Magic showcases the raw energy and intensity of the NBA postseason.Today in Orlando

The Detroit Pistons lost to the Orlando Magic 96-90 in Game 1 of their 2026 NBA playoff series. Pistons star Cade Cunningham scored 39 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Magic's strong performance.

Why it matters

The Pistons were hoping to get off to a strong start in the playoffs, but this loss puts them in an early hole against the Magic. Cunningham's big game shows he's ready to lead the team, but the Pistons will need more support from the rest of the roster to advance.

The details

The Pistons trailed the Magic 96-90 with 6:50 remaining in the game. Cunningham had a standout performance, scoring 39 points, but the rest of the Pistons struggled to match the Magic's production.

  • The game took place on April 20, 2026.

The players

Cade Cunningham

The Pistons' star player who scored 39 points in the loss.

Orlando Magic

The Pistons' opponent in the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“We had our chances, but the Magic just made more plays down the stretch. We'll need to regroup and come back stronger in Game 2.”

— Cade Cunningham, Pistons Player

What’s next

The Pistons and Magic will face off in Game 2 on April 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The Pistons' loss in Game 1 shows they have work to do to compete with the Magic in this playoff series. Cunningham's performance was a bright spot, but the team will need more contributions from the supporting cast to even the series.