TORONTO — The Cavaliers captured a commanding lead in their first-round NBA playoff series against the Toronto Raptors and look to maintain momentum in Game 3 on Thursday, April 23.
The Cavs won Game 1 in a blowout and then never trailed in Game 2, seizing a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden had terrific starts to their 2026 playoff run, and Dean Wade turned Raptors All-Star Brandon Ingram into virtually a non-factor in the first two games, both of which were held in Cleveland.
Follow along here for live score updates, analysis and highlights as the fourth-seeded Cavs face the fifth-seeded Raptors during Game 3 in Canada. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
Below is some pregame information.
Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors. TV, streaming and radio info for Game 3 of Cavs playoffs
Game 3 between the Cavs and Raptors will be televised nationally by Prime Video. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Cavs injury report vs. Raptors for Game 3
The Cavs placed one player on their injury report for Game 3. The team initially listed backup center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain) as questionable to play before upgrading his status to probable on the afternoon of April 23.
Bryant missed the first two games of the series and the final four games of the regular season.
The Raptors initially listed guards Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring strain) and Ja’Kobe Walter (illness) as questionable to play in Game 3. But during pregame media availability, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said Quickley has been ruled out for Game 3. Later, the Raptors announced Walter is available for Game 3.
Toronto’s starting point guard, Quickley has yet to appear in the series. Walter played 28 minutes off the bench in both Game 1 and Game 2.
Cavaliers, Raptors 2026 playoffs schedule
Here is the schedule for the Cavs-Raptors series, with the dates and times the NBA has announced thus far:
- Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113; Cavs lead series 1-0
- Game 2: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105; Cavs lead series 2-0
- Game 3: Cavs at Raptors, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 23, Prime Video
- Game 4: Cavs at Raptors, 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26, ESPN
- Game 5: Raptors at Cavs, time TBD Wednesday, April 29, TBD network, if necessary
- Game 6: Cavs at Raptors, time TBD Friday, May 1, TBD network, if necessary
- Game 7: Raptors at Cavs, time TBD Sunday, May 3, TBD network, if necessary
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
- No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic
- No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
- No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks
- No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors
Recent Cavs playoff history
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances:
- 2024-25: Lost 4-1 in second round to Indiana Pacers after sweeping Miami Heat 4-0 in first round
- 2023-24: Lost 4-1 in second round to Boston Celtics after beating Orlando Magic 4-3 in first round
- 2022-23: Lost 4-1 in first round to New York Knicks
Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich cover the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Akron Beacon Journal.
