Cavaliers to Face Raptors in NBA Playoffs First Round

Cleveland's home-court advantage in opening series against Toronto

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:08am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between two teams, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Cavaliers and Raptors will face off in a high-stakes first-round playoff series, with Cleveland's home-court advantage adding intrigue to the matchup.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched a spot in the 2026 NBA playoffs and will face the Toronto Raptors in the first round. The Cavs will have home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series, with Game 1 taking place in Cleveland.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers' playoff appearance marks a return to the postseason after missing out last year. Their matchup against the Raptors, a perennial Eastern Conference contender, will be a tough test as the Cavs look to make a deep playoff run.

The details

The Cavaliers secured their spot in the playoffs with the conclusion of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. They will now face the Toronto Raptors in the first round, with the series starting in Cleveland due to the Cavs having home-court advantage.

  • The 2025-26 NBA regular season concluded on April 12, 2026.
  • Game 1 of the Cavaliers-Raptors first-round playoff series will take place in Cleveland.

The players

Cleveland Cavaliers

An NBA franchise based in Cleveland, Ohio that has made several playoff appearances in recent years.

Toronto Raptors

An NBA franchise based in Toronto, Canada that has been a consistent playoff team in the Eastern Conference.

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What’s next

The Cavaliers and Raptors will tip off their first-round playoff series in the coming days, with the full schedule to be announced by the NBA.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' return to the playoffs after missing out last year sets up an intriguing first-round matchup against the veteran Raptors squad. Cleveland's home-court advantage could prove crucial as they look to advance in the postseason.