The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons are battling in Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Playoffs first round series on NBC Sports Network and Peacock.
We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Saturday’s action.
Our slate today begins with Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic hosting Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons (1 ET) on NBC Sports Network and Peacock, followed by Thunder-Suns (3:30 ET), Knicks-Hawks (6 ET), both on NBC and Peacock, and Nuggets-Timberwolves (9 ET) on ABC.
What we know about Saturday’s games:
- Teams that earn a 2-1 lead go on to win an NBA Playoffs series 80% of the time.
- With a 3-1 lead, it’s 95.6% of the time, with 13 teams recovering from such a gap in NBA history.
- With a 3-0 lead, it’s been 100% — no team has ever come back to overcome that deficit, with the 2023 Boston Celtics being the last team to tie things up. The 2003 Trail Blazers, 1994 Nuggets and 1951 Knicks also forced a seventh game.
APRIL 25, 2026 / 1:55 ET
Magic step into the lead
48-44 with 4:44 to go in the first half, as the Magic earn a small advantage.
Desmond Bane (14 pts) leads all scorers so far, while Jalen Suggs (5 pts) hit this one from Fort Lauderdale.
Jalen Suggs from the Kia Center logo ! https://t.co/DfbyK6OtvJ pic.twitter.com/5ouNw4mzWA
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 25, 2026
APRIL 25, 2026 / 1:45 ET
Still tied after one
26-all after the first quarter, as these physical Eastern Conference squads feel each other out.
“There’s that quick crossover.” 👌
Cade showing off the handles in Game 3! https://t.co/rsYT7vEKEh pic.twitter.com/1wGyDkoQCt
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026
APRIL 25, 2026 / 1:20 ET
Pistons and Magic dueling early
18-all with 4:56 to go in the first, as the Pistons use a 10-2 to tie the game up.
Detroit’s shooting 57.1% from the field so far, while Orlando’s at 41.2%. Can the Magic offense hold up under the Pistons’ defensive pressure?
APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:30 ET
Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons are seeking to reclaim homecourt advantage in Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Playoffs first round series with the Orlando Magic.
All stats from Thursday’s Game 2, which the Pistons won 98-83.
Detroit (1-1):
- PG Cade Cunningham (27 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast)
- SG Duncan Robinson (10 pts, 3 3PM)
- SF Ausar Thompson (11 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk)
- PF Tobias Harris (16 pts, 11 reb)
- C Jalen Duren (11 pts, 9 reb)
Orlando (1-1):
- PG Jalen Suggs (19 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast)
- SG Desmond Bane (12 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast)
- SF Franz Wagner (12 pts, 7 reb)
- PF Paolo Banchero (18 pts, 8 reb)
- C Wendell Carter Jr. (3 pts, 2 blk)
Keep an eye on Anthony Black off the Magic bench. He was held to 5 pts on 1-of-6 shooting in Game 2, as the team was kept to 33% from the field — well below his season average of 15.0 ppg.
APRIL 25, 2026 / 12:15 ET
Saturday’s injury report
Jonathan Isaac remains out for the Magic.
Isaiah Joe is doubtful for the Thunder, while Thomas Sorber and Jalen Williams are out.
Grayson Allen and Jordan Goodwin are questionable for the Suns, while Mark Williams is out.
Jock Landale is out for the Hawks.
Aaron Gordon is questionable for the Nuggets, while Peyton Watson is out.
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