The 2026 NBA Playoffs opened with a thunderclap on Sunday night, and the home teams delivered a collective statement across all four tip-offs. From Boston's Garden to the AT&T Center in San Antonio, higher seeds controlled from wire to wire, setting an emphatic tone for what promises to be a dramatic first round. But it was a 22-year-old Frenchman in silver and black who stole the night's biggest headline.
Victor Wembanyama was absolutely mesmerizing in San Antonio, pouring in 35 points to dismantle the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-98, in Game 1 of their West first-round series. The Spurs' transcendent big man imposed his will from the opening tip, and San Antonio never looked back after building a nine-point lead heading into halftime. Portland's Deni Avdija was a genuine bright spot in a losing effort, finishing with a remarkable 30 points and 10 rebounds — a double-double that on any other night might have drawn the loudest applause in the building. But Wembanyama's gravity, length, and offensive artistry were simply too much for the Blazers to contain, and the Spurs hold a 1-0 series lead.
In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander served notice that the Thunder have no intention of being pushed around in their postseason pursuit. SGA authored a composed, surgical 25-point, 7-assist outing as OKC blew out the Phoenix Suns, 119-84, in a game that was essentially decided before halftime — the Thunder outscored Phoenix 35-20 in the opening quarter and never once let their foot off the gas. Devin Booker battled hard for 23 points, but the Suns could never manufacture the defensive stops or offensive rhythm needed to make it a contest. Oklahoma City leads the West first-round series 1-0, and if Sunday was any indication, Phoenix has serious problems to solve before Game 2.
Up in Boston, Jayson Tatum made the Philadelphia 76ers feel every bit like an underdog from the moment the ball was tipped. Tatum was brilliant, finishing with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists as the Celtics dismantled the Sixers, 123-91, in a performance that was dominant nearly from start to finish. Boston erupted for 33 first-quarter points to seize control and never let Philadelphia breathe. Tyrese Maxey gave the Sixers something to build on with 21 points and 8 assists, but the Celtics' length, depth, and defensive cohesion suffocated Philadelphia at every turn. Boston leads the East first-round series 1-0.
The most competitive game of the night unfolded in Detroit, where Cade Cunningham turned in a jaw-dropping, 39-point performance that ultimately wasn't enough to save the Pistons at home. Cunningham was relentless — attacking downhill, hitting from deep, and refusing to let Detroit fold — but Orlando held on for a 112-101 victory to claim the early series edge. Paolo Banchero anchored the Magic with 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Orlando's defense tightened in the crucial third and fourth quarters to deny Detroit any real momentum swings. Cunningham's effort was the kind of showing that will haunt a loss, but the Magic depart Motown with a 1-0 series lead in the East first round.
Sunday belonged entirely to the favorites, but playoff series have a way of turning quickly. With all four Game 2s on the horizon, expect the road teams — particularly a desperate Pistons squad behind a fired-up Cunningham — to respond with urgency.
