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The 2026 NBA playoffs are set. All first-round matchups are locked in after a dramatic Play-In Tournament, and, now, the hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy ramps up off Saturday, April 18 with four series-opening games.
The Play-In Tournament delivered plenty of excitemetn before a single first-round playoff game was played. The Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers locked up the No. 7 seeds in the West and East, respectively, earlier in the week before a doubleheader on Friday, April 17 determined the final two playoff berths in each conference.
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The Orlando Magic knocked out the Charlotte Hornets early Friday night, building a 31-point halftime lead on their Southeast division rivals before cruising to a 121-90 victory. The Magic land the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.
The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors seemed headed for a tight battle for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, but the Suns pulled away down the stretch for a 111-96 win to send Steph Curry and the Warroirs packing. The Suns’ prize for winning? A date with the No. 1 seed, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the bracket now finalized, its’ time to ask: could the Magic and Suns shock the world and knock out the No. 1 seeds? Here is a look at some of the biggest first-round upsets in NBA playoff history, a reminder that anything can happen in the postseason.
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NBA champions through the years
2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)
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NBA champions through the years
2025: Oklahoma City Thunder (beat Indiana Pacers in seven games)
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NBA champions through the years
2024: Boston Celtics (beat Dallas Mavericks in five games)
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NBA champions through the years
2023: Denver Nuggets (beat Miami Heat in five games)
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NBA champions through the years
2022: Golden State Warriors (beat Boston Celtics in six games)
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NBA champions…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/stunning-nba-first-round-upsets-100421810.html
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Publish date : 2026-04-18 10:04:00
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