Early Tuesday, the Orlando Magic defeated the Detroit Pistons 112-101 in Game 1 of the 2026 Eastern Conference playoffs.
Cade Cunningham scored a game-high 39 points for the Pistons. His performance wasn’t enough to secure a win. The Pistons are now down 1-0 in this best-of-seven series.
The Magic showcased their depth with five players scoring in double figures. This balanced attack proved crucial against a Pistons team that has struggled historically in playoff games.
As of midday, observers noted that the Pistons have not won a home playoff game since 2008. They have lost their last ten home playoff games—an NBA record.
Despite having spent most of the regular season with the best record in the East, Detroit is now looking to avoid becoming only the third No. 1 seed to lose to an No. 8 seed in playoff history.
Game 2 is scheduled for April 22 at 7 p.m. ET. The stakes are high as both teams aim to shift momentum.
The Pistons’ coach, J.B. Bickerstaff, stated, “We’re at our best when we’re full.” Yet, they will need to find answers quickly if they want to turn this series around.
Details remain unconfirmed about how the Magic will prepare for Game 2, especially considering they advanced through the NBA Play-In Tournament to earn their spot as the eighth seed.
