The Orlando Magic stunned top-seeded Detroit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round, defeating the Pistons 112-101 on April 19, 2026, and will visit Little Caesars Arena for Game 2 on April 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Orlando entered the series as the No. 8 seed (45-37) after surviving the play-in; Detroit finished atop the East at 60-22. Paolo Banchero paced the Magic in the opener while Cade Cunningham scored 39 for Detroit. Detroit’s All-Star center Jalen Duren was limited in Game 1, raising questions about the Pistons’ interior attack despite the team leading the NBA in points in the paint during the regular season. Oddsmakers still favor Detroit — spreads around 8-9 points and a Pistons moneyline near -410 — but Detroit has lost 10 straight playoff home games, a troubling trend as it tries to avoid an 0-2 hole. The series will be carried across the NBA’s new multi-platform rights landscape, with games split among ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video (finals remain on ABC).

April 22 — The Portland Trail Blazers rallied from 14 points down to beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-103 in Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series, tying the best-of-seven at 1-1. Scoot Henderson led Portland with a season-high 31 points, Jrue Holiday added 16 and Robert Williams III’s late putback dunk sealed the win. The game’s turning point came 8:57 into the second quarter when Spurs star Victor Wembanyama hit his face on the court after contact and was removed under the NBA’s concussion protocol; he was later diagnosed with a concussion and did not return. Wembanyama, who was unanimously named Defensive Player of the Year on April 20 after leading the league in blocks and posting career highs in points and rebounds, faces an uncertain timeline for clearance ahead of Game 3 on Friday in Portland. San Antonio say they will follow protocol; coaches noted the team went 12-6 without him during the regular season and must rely on depth if he misses time. The series shifts to Portland for Games 3 and 4.

Edmonton rallied for a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of their first-round NHL playoff series on Monday, April 20-21, 2026. Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen scored twice apiece, with Kapanen netting the winner with 1:54 remaining. Leon Draisaitl returned from a 14-game absence with a lower-body injury and recorded two assists. Connor McDavid was held without a point. The Ducks, making their first postseason trip since 2018, staged a second-period comeback — Troy Terry had two goals and an assist and Leo Carlsson added a goal and an assist — but Anaheim could not hold a third-period lead. Goalies Connor Ingram (Edmonton) made 25 saves; Lukas Dostal (Anaheim) had 30. Oilers fourth-line centre Adam Henrique left Game 1 with a lower-body injury and was ruled out for Game 2. The best-of-seven series shifts to Game 2 at Rogers Place on Wednesday, April 22, with momentum and lineup health both likely to shape the matchup.

The Minnesota Timberwolves rallied from a 19-point first-quarter deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 119-114 in Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series on April 21 in Denver, tying the best-of-seven at 1-1. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points and 10 rebounds despite playing through a sore right knee; Julius Randle added 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Donte DiVincenzo contributed 16. Rudy Gobert’s rim protection helped stifle Nikola Jokić late — Jokić finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists on 8-for-20 shooting — and Minnesota outscored Denver 29-21 in the fourth quarter. Jaden McDaniels had 14 points and drew headlines after the game by calling the Nuggets “all bad defenders,” singling out stars including Jokić and Jamal Murray. The game came the same day Defensive Player of the Year voting was revealed; Gobert, a four-time winner, finished fourth in the ballots. The series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Thursday, April 23, with Denver expected to adjust after surrendering a sizable lead.

Chelsea FC Women will play all their Women’s Super League (WSL) home matches at Stamford Bridge from the 2026-27 season, the club announced on April 22, ending a nine-year spell at Kingsmeadow. The move, agreed after consultation with players, the club’s fan advisory board and partner groups, makes Stamford Bridge — a c.41,000-capacity stadium — the permanent league home for the eight-time WSL champions. Kingsmeadow (capacity c.4,850) will continue to be used for academy fixtures. The decision follows a trend among top WSL clubs — including Arsenal, Aston Villa and Leicester — moving league matches to their main grounds to boost visibility and attendances. Chelsea have already staged multiple women’s fixtures at Stamford Bridge this season, drawing crowds in excess of 30,000 at times. The club said venues for cup and European fixtures will be decided on a case-by-case basis and that alternative stadium options will be confirmed to avoid potential scheduling clashes with the men’s team.

Edmonton goaltender Connor Ingram recorded his first NHL playoff win on April 21, 2026, backstopping the Oilers to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 of their first-round series at Rogers Place. The 30-year-old from Saskatoon made 25 saves in the see-saw contest, becoming the third netminder to earn a win in his first post-season appearance for Edmonton after Jack Campbell (2023) and Andy Moog (1981). Ingram — who posted a 6-4-2 record over Edmonton’s final 15 regular-season games — had been acquired in October after stints with other organisations and rose to starter status following roster moves that included the December trade of Stuart Skinner. The Oilers have nominated Ingram for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy; he has been open about obsessive-compulsive disorder and time spent in the league’s player assistance program. Coach Kris Knoblauch and teammates, including Leon Draisaitl, praised Ingram’s composure and contributions in front of a loud playoff crowd.