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Recap: Thunder advance, Magic, Nuggets win

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder advanced to the second round by finishing their sweep of the Suns.

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 Monday’s action.

The Magic defeated the Pistons 94-88 in a defensive slugfest, led by Desmond Bane (22 pts, 5 3PM), earning a 3-1 lead in the series. They have a chance to become the seventh No. 8 seed to overcome a No. 1 seed on Wednesday.

The Thunder advanced to the second round by beating the Suns 122-113, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts) and crew earned their third first round sweep in three years.

The Nuggets controlled the game against the Timberwolves, winning 125-113 behind Nikola Jokić (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk).

What we know about Monday’s games:

  • The Magic earned a 3-1 lead, while the Thunder advanced to the second round and the Nuggets cut their disadvantage to 3-2.
  • Postgame Pressers:
  • Magic-Pistons will reconvene Wednesday (7 ET, Prime), while Nuggets-Timberwolves will be back on Thursday.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:40 ET

Postgame Presser: Timberwolves-Nuggets

APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:35 ET

Monday’s results

Nikola Jokić (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk) is your top performer of the night.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:23 ET

Nuggets win to return to force Game 6

125-113, as the Nuggets forced 25 turnovers and dominated inside with 62 points in the paint to outlast the Timberwolves.

Nikola Jokić (27 pts, 12 reb, 16 ast, 2 blk) was in command, doing all that on just 16 shots.

Julius Randle (26 pts) led six Wolves in double figures in defeat.

This series will be back in action on Thursday.

“Tonight was the only thing that mattered,” said Cameron Johnson (18 pts). “Everybody came out with the same mindset, the same focus.”

APRIL 28, 2026 / 1:03 ET

One time for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:42 ET

Postgame Presser: Thunder-Suns

APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:32 ET

What a pass from the Joker

Nikola Jokić (18 pts, 11 reb, 15 ast) just spun an absolute dime to Christian Braun for the slam, as the Nuggets open up a 94-72 lead over the Timberwolves with just under a minute remaining in the third quarter.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:15 ET

Thunder advance to the second round

131-122, sparked by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 5 ast), Chet Holmgren (22 pts, 8 reb, 2 stl) and Ajay Mitchell (18 pts, team-high +23).

Oklahoma City led by as many as 15 in a contest that saw nine lead changes and six ties. It’s their third-straight first round sweep in the last three years.

Collin Gillespie (20 pts, 6 3PM) was the top scorer for the Suns.

APRIL 28, 2026 / 12:07 ET

One time for Jamal Cain

Just a classic posterization here.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:45 ET

Denver up 60-51 at the break

Nikola Jokić (13 pts, 6 reb, 10 ast) knocked down a 3-pointer as the second quarter wound down, while Jamal Murray (10 pts) is doing his thing.

Julius Randle (12 pts, 3 reb) is the top scorer for the Timberwolves, who have committed 14 turnovers so far.

“It’s a dogfight. That’s just how it’s going to be,” said Spencer Jones (9 pts). “We’re just being really physical.”

APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:30 ET

Thunder lead 106-98 after three

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts, 5 ast) has the Thunder on the verge of advancing to the second round, as they lead the Suns with one quarter to go.

Oklahoma City is 15-of-30 from 3-point range so far, outdoing Phoenix, which is 13-of-29 (44.8%).

APRIL 27, 2026 / 11:11 ET

Postgame Presser: Pistons-Magic

APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:57 ET

Orlando wins, takes 3-1 lead

94-88, led by Desmond Bane (22 pts), Franz Wagner (19 pts) and Paolo Banchero (18 pts, 8 reb).

The Magic shot just 32.8% from the field, but forced 20 turnovers by the Pistons and won the rebounding battle 69-63 to earn 10 more field goal attempts on the night. Detroit shot 39.8% from the field in this defensive struggle.

Wendell Carter Jr. (12 pts, 11 reb) played Jalen Duren (12 pts, 8 reb) to a standstill, leaving the Pistons searching for a scoring advantage from their secondary players.

Cade Cunningham (25 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast) fought his way to a reasonable night, but Tobias Harris (20 pts) and Duren were the only other scorers to crack double digits. The Pistons were just 6-of-30 (20%) from 3-point range.

A No. 8 seed has upset a No. 1 seed six times in NBA history.

  • 2023: Heat over Bucks (4-1)
  • 2012: 76ers over Bulls (4-2)
  • 2011: Grizzlies over Spurs (4-2)
  • 2007: Warriors over Mavericks (4-2)
  • 1999: Knicks over Heat (3-2)
  • 1994: Nuggets over SuperSonics (3-2)

Can the Pistons become the seventh? The series will reconvene on Wednesday at 7 ET.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:47 ET

Thunder lead Suns 75-67 at the break

Phoenix is fighting to stay alive, but Oklahoma City is relentless. The Thunder are outshooting the Suns 61.4% to 59.5% from the field, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (17 pts on nine shots).

Collin Gillespie (17 pts) leads the Suns in scoring.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:45 ET

‘The bank is open late’

Desmond Bane (22 pts) just kissed a 3-pointer off the glass to give the Magic a 92-86 lead with 1:16 to go in the fourth.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:33 ET

Pistons and Magic going down to the wire

87-85 with 4:14 to go, as these two tough Eastern Conference squads battle it out.

The game is getting physical late. Catch the finish on NBC and Peacock!

APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:21 ET

Jamal Cain hits the trampoline

Oh my, Jamal Cain just detonated all over Jalen Duren. A 121.5 on the Dunk Score Scale!

“He just kept going up,” said Austin Rivers. “The arena is still buzzing.”

82-77 Magic with 7:41 to go in the fourth quarter.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 10:05 ET

Thunder lead Suns early

30-26 Oklahoma City, but Collin Gillespie (11 pts on 4-of-4 shooting) and Dillon Brooks (9 pts) are going off for Phoenix.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:47 ET

Pistons start the third on a run

63-58 Magic with 6:29 to go in the third quarter, after Orlando started the quarter on a 9-2 run.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:30 ET

Magic lead 54-52 at the break

It’s been a back-and-forth battle in the Kia Center so far tonight, with both teams holding double-digit leads in the first half.

Franz Wagner (17 pts on 12 shots) is the lead scorer for Orlando, while Cade Cunningham (16 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast) is the top man for Detroit.

The Pistons have 12 giveaways so far — nearing their average of 17 for the series. Orlando’s taken advantage to the tune of a 19-3 advantage in points off turnovers.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 9:05 ET

Detroit takes a lead

46-37 Pistons with 4:36 to go in the first half.

Tobias Harris (10 pts on 4-of-5 shooting) has been crucial early for Detroit, steadying them during Orlando’s early surge and providing consistent scoring.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:44 ET

Pistons lead after one

Detroit battled back to take a 27-26 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Cade Cunningham (10 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) took command of the Pistons’ attack despite four turnovers, while Franz Wagner (8 pts, 3 stl) leads the Magic in scoring.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:20 ET

Detroit can’t keep possession

Seven turnovers in the first six minutes for the Pistons, including on five straight possessions. Orlando has an early 12-3 lead in points of turnovers.

19-10 Orlando with 6:13 to go in the first.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 8:13 ET

Magic force an early timeout

12-5 Orlando to start the contest on NBC and Peacock, with Wendell Carter Jr. and Desmond Bane knocking down early 3-pointers.

Bane hit seven 3-pointers in Game 3 — Detroit would like to avoid seeing that again.

Carter Jr.’s confidence is a bellwether for this series. He’s been threatening to outdo the All-Star Jalen Duren — if that happens, we could have an upset.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:45 ET

Starting Lineups: Pistons-Magic, Game 4

Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons look to even their 2026 NBA Playoffs first-round series against the Orlando Magic on NBC and Peacock at 8 ET.

Detroit:

  • PG Cade Cunningham
  • SG Duncan Robinson
  • SF Ausar Thompson
  • PF Tobias Harris
  • C Jalen Duren

Orlando:

  • PG Jalen Suggs
  • SG Desmond Bane
  • SF Franz Wagner
  • PF Paolo Banchero
  • C Wendell Carter Jr.

Watch the matchup between Wendell Carter Jr. and Jalen Duren tonight — Carter had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Game 3, dominating the pivot battle.

APRIL 27, 2026 / 7:30 ET

Monday’s injury report

Kevin Huerter is available for the Pistons, while Jonathan Isaac is out for the Magic.

Jalen Williams is out for the Thunder. Jordan Goodwin is questionable for the Suns, while Mark Williams is out.

Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards are out for the Timberwolves. Aaron Gordon is questionable for the Nuggets, while Peyton Watson is out.

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