The Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2026 NBA playoffs with a 126-113 home victory over the Toronto Raptors on April 18, 2026, as Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points and James Harden contributed 22 points and 10 assists in his Cleveland playoff debut.
How the Cavaliers controlled the Raptors’ offense
After allowing Toronto to shoot well in the first half, Cleveland held the Raptors to 59 points in the second half, including just 22 in the third quarter, disrupting their transition game and forcing them into half-court sets where the Cavs’ backcourt excelled. Mitchell and Harden combined to score or assist on 82 of Cleveland’s 126 points, representing 65% of the team’s offensive output. Toronto’s struggles were compounded by the absence of guard Immanuel Quickley, who missed Game 1 with a hamstring injury sustained during the regular-season finale.
What the Knicks did differently against the Hawks
Later the same day, the Novel York Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 by limiting them to just 47 points in the first half, a stark contrast to the Hawks’ recent offensive form that had seen them average nearly 123 points per game with top-five efficiency after the All-Star break. Jalen Brunson led New York with 28 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 25, and the Knicks’ defensive intensity in the opening 24 minutes set the tone for the series.
What to watch in Game 2 of each series
In the Cavaliers-Raptors matchup, Toronto will demand to adjust offensively without Quickley, relying more on Scottie Barnes, who shot 6-of-14 for 21 points with five turnovers in Game 1, to create rhythm and pace. For the Knicks-Hawks series, Atlanta must find ways to break New York’s defensive pressure early, as their inability to score in the first half of Game 1 exposed vulnerabilities when forced into half-court offense against a disciplined Knicks scheme.
Why did the Cavaliers hold the Raptors to just 22 points in the third quarter?
Cleveland disrupted Toronto’s transition offense by improving their defensive communication and rebounding, forcing the Raptors into half-court sets where Mitchell and Harden could exploit mismatches and control the tempo.
Can the Hawks adjust to the Knicks’ defensive approach in Game 2?
Yes, but they will need to improve ball movement and reduce turnovers to avoid falling into the same first-half scoring drought that limited them to 47 points in Game 1.