Stunning NBA first-round upsets we still can't believe happened
NBA first-round playoff upsets can change legacies overnight. These are some of the biggest early bracket busters in NBA postseason history.
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. 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 .