The 2026 NBA playoffs continued on Sunday with a quartet of first-round games.
The Toronto Raptors opened the action with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a Sunday matinee, and the Los Angeles Lakers will have the opportunity to complete the series sweep against the Houston Rockets in the nightcap.
Here’s a look at Sunday’s results and top highlights, as well as the upcoming playoff schedule.
Toronto Raptors def. Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-89 (Series tied 2-2)
San Antonio Spurs def. Portland Trail Blazers, 114-93 (SA leads series 3-1)
Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7:00 p.m. ET (BOS leads series 2-1)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets, 9:30 p.m. ET (LAL leads series 3-0)
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic, 8:00 p.m. ET (ORL leads series 2-1)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, 9:30 p.m. ET (OKC leads series 3-0)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET (MIN leads series 3-1)
The Raptors won a defensive battle that saw both teams shoot under 40 percent from the field.
At halftime, the Raptors took a 38-36 lead into the locker room for an abnormally low-scoring first half. Cleveland initially looked to be pulling away in the third quarter before a late run by Toronto helped maintain the slight lead.
The Cavs later pulled ahead by eight points with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the Raptors refused to give up in front of their home fans. Toronto ended the game on a 17-5 run to tie the series.
Five players scored in double figures for the Raptors, led by 23 points apiece from Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. A similar effort can help Toronto keep the momentum when the teams meet for Game 5 in Cleveland on Wednesday.
The Spurs faced a 17-point halftime deficit before blitzing the Blazers with a second-half avalanche to secure the win. San Antonio outscored Portland 73-35 over the final two quarters.
Star center Victor Wembanyama was at his usual form in his return from a concussion that kept him out of Game 3. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year dropped 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals and a whopping seven blocks.
Veteran point guard De’Aaron Fox, who was held below 20 points in each of the first three games of the series, exploded for 28 points and seven assists in the victory.
This marked the largest playoff win for a team that trailed by 15 or more points at halftime. The Spurs will try to keep the momentum on their side and close things out in San Antonio in Tuesday’s Game 5.
