The journey towards the NBA Finals has officially begun for the Detroit Pistons.
The Eastern Conference 1-seed Pistons (60-22) play the 8-seed Orlando Magic (45-37) on Sunday, April 19, in Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Pistons-Magic Game 1 has a tipoff start time of 6:30 p.m. ET, and on NBC for the TV channel. Streaming is available on Peacock.
The Pistons spent most of the regular season with the best record in the East, earning their first No. 1 seed since the 2006-07 season. Meanwhile, the Magic advanced through the NBA Play-In Tournament, beating the Charlotte Hornets on Friday to grab the 8-seed.
Watch the NBA Playoffs on Peacock
The Pistons are an overwhelming favorite to win the series, with the Magic losing 10 of their last 18 games while struggling down the stretch. The winner of this series plays the winner of the first-round series between the 4-seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the 5-seed Toronto Raptors.
We’ll have all the live updates from Game 1 of Magic-Pistons right here.
Pistons vs Magic live updates in Game 1 of playoffs
This section will be updated after tipoff.
Pistons last playoff series win was against Magic
The Pistons haven’t won a playoff series since 2008, when they beat the Magic in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals before losing to the Boston Celtics in six games in the conference finals.
Detroit made it back to the playoffs the next season but lost in the first round to the 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, the Magic won the East in 2009 but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.
Pistons have 10-game home playoff losing streak
The Pistons are looking to break a long losing streak tonight, having lost their last 10 home playoff games (an NBA record).
It has been 6,537 days since Detroit’s last home playoff win, which came in a 94-75 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals on May 26, 2008. The Celtics won that series in six games, and it was the last time the Pistons played in a playoff series beyond the first round.
Pistons vs Magic start time in Game 1 of playoffs
Pistons vs Magic channel in Game 1 of playoffs
Sunday’s Game 1 between the Pistons and Magic can be watched on NBC and streamed Peacock.
Watch the NBA Playoffs on Peacock
Pistons vs Magic odds in Game 1 of playoffs
The Pistons are big favorites in Game 1 against the Magic.
Odds provided by BetMGM as of Saturday afternoon.
Pistons injury report Game 1
Injury updates on players on the 15-man roster.
Magic injury report Game 1
Pistons vs Magic starting lineups today
Here’s the projected Pistons-Magic starting lineups in Game 1:
Pistons uniform Game 1 vs Magic
The Pistons will wear their white uniform, while the Magic will wear their Statement Edition uniform with black pinstripes and blue across the shoulders.
Pistons vs Magic prediction for playoff series
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press: The Magic are more than just Banchero and Wagner – Desmond Bane delivered an efficient season averaging more than 20 points and is capable of swinging a playoff game with a big performance. But the Pistons are deeper and have simply been better this season, on both ends. It shouldn’t be a long series. The pick: Pistons in 5.
Pistons playoff schedule vs Magic
Here’s the first-round schedule:
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Pistons vs Magic score updates, time, channel in Game 1 of NBA playoffs
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
