Playoffs: bracket moves

The 2026 National Basketball Association playoffs have reached the first road-game turn, with four first-round series tied 1-1 and four others already at 2-0. (nba.com) As of Thursday, April 23, Cleveland leads Toronto 2-0, Oklahoma City leads Phoenix 2-0, and the Los Angeles Lakers lead Houston 2-0. Detroit-Orlando, Boston-Philadelphia, New York-Atlanta, Denver-Minnesota, and San Antonio-Portland are split 1-1 or headed into that swing. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) The bracket was finalized after the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament ran from April 14 through April 17, and the first round began on April 18. The eight matchups are Pistons-Magic, Celtics-76ers, Knicks-Hawks, Cavaliers-Raptors, Thunder-Suns, Spurs-Trail Blazers, Nuggets-Timberwolves, and Lakers-Rockets. (nba.com) (cbssports.com) The next shift comes on the road. Game 3s on Thursday, April 23, are Knicks at Hawks at 7 p.m. Eastern, Cavaliers at Raptors at 8 p.m. Eastern, and Nuggets at Timberwolves at 9:30 p.m. Eastern, all on Prime Video. (cbssports.com) Friday, April 24, brings Celtics at 76ers at 7 p.m. Eastern, Lakers at Rockets at 8 p.m. Eastern, and Spurs at Trail Blazers at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, also on Prime Video. Saturday, April 25, starts with Pistons at Magic at 1 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock, and Thunder at Suns at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC. (nba.com) (sportingnews.com) This is the first postseason under the league’s new split TV setup. Early rounds are divided among ABC and ESPN, NBC and Peacock, and Prime Video, while the National Basketball Association Finals remain on ABC. (sportingnews.com) The first round can run through May 3, depending on whether any series need seven games. The Finals are scheduled to begin June 3 and can extend to June 19. (cbssports.com) (sportingnews.com) One injury is already hanging over the bracket. NBA.com reported Wednesday that Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams left Game 2 against Phoenix with a left hamstring injury after the Thunder moved to a 2-0 series lead. (nba.com) The next three days will decide whether the bracket tightens or starts to break open. Teams with 2-0 leads can push opponents to the edge in Game 3, while the four 1-1 series are now down to a best-of-five. (nba.com)