Cavs Take Commanding Lead in East Playoffs vs Raptors in 2026

The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Toronto Raptors in their first playoff game, securing a 13-point win with standout performances from Donovan Mitchell and James Harden.

NBA Playoffs Begin with Cavs-Raptors Showdown The 2026 NBA playoffs kicked off on Saturday, with our experts providing comprehensive coverage of every game leading up to the Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors set the tone, as the Cavs cruised to a 13-point victory at home. This convincing win marked the beginning of the East playoffs, with the Cavs and Raptors facing off in the first round. ## Notable Performances from Mitchell and Harden Donovan Mitchell led all players with an impressive 32 points, while James Harden made his Cleveland playoff debut with 22 points and 10 assists. Max Strus, who had been sidelined for the first 67 games of the season due to a left foot injury, made a significant impact off the bench with 24 points. Harden's debut was marked by a strong performance, demonstrating his value to the Cavaliers' lineup. ## Knicks-Hawks Matchup to Watch The New York Knicks will host the Atlanta Hawks at 6 p.m. ET, with the Hawks missing star player Trae Young. Jalen Johnson and the reconfigured Hawks will aim to cause an upset, but the Knicks' strong lineup may be too much to handle. The outcome of this game will be closely watched as the East playoffs continue. ## Cavs Take 1-0 Lead in Series The first game of this series went in favor of the Cavaliers, who capitalized on the Raptors' hot-shooting first half by limiting them to just 59 points in the second half. This marked a significant advantage for Cleveland, as the team's superstar duo dictated the pace of the game. The Cavs' backcourt, featuring Mitchell and Harden, proved too much for the Raptors to handle, especially with the absence of guard Immanuel Quickley. The Cavaliers' combination of scoring and assists led to 65% of their total points, a testament to their effectiveness. ## Raptors Look to Regroup for Game 2 After a dominant performance from the Cavaliers, the Raptors will need to make significant adjustments to stay competitive. Quickley's absence loomed large in Game 1, as the Raptors struggled to find any rhythm in the second half. The team will look to kick-start their transition game and find a way to keep pace with the Cavaliers, who will be aiming to build on their winning momentum. ## Game 2 Preview The Raptors and Cavaliers will face off again in Game 2 on Monday at 7:00 p.m. ET, with NBC and Peacock broadcasting the match. The Raptors will be looking to regroup and make adjustments to their strategy, while the Cavaliers will aim to build on their winning start to the series. The stage is set for an intriguing matchup in Game 2.