The Detroit Pistons are kicking off their chase for an NBA title.
The 1-seed Pistons (60-22) are playing the 8-seed Orlando Magic (45-37) on Sunday, April 19, in Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
The game is scheduled for a start time of 6:30 p.m. ET, and will be on the TV channel NBC, with streaming available on Fubo (free trial) and Peacock.
This is the first game of a best-of-seven series, with the winner advancing to the second round to face the winner of the series between the 4-seed Cleveland Cavaliers and 5-seed Toronto Raptors.
The Magic advanced to the playoffs via the NBA Play-In Tournament, initially losing on the road to the Philadelphia 76ers before beating the Charlotte Hornets at home to earn the East’s No. 8 seed. The Pistons are 2-2 against the Magic this season.
Watch the NBA playoffs on Fubo
The Pistons are the 1-seed for the first time since 2007 and are looking to win their first NBA title since the 2003-04 season. They haven’t won a home playoff game since 2008 (10 straight losses, an NBA record), and last won a playoff series in 2008 against the Magic − in the conference semifinals, 4-1.
The Magic, meanwhile, are in the playoffs for the third consecutive season (lost 4-1 to Boston in 2025 and 4-3 to Cleveland in 2024), but haven’t won a playoff series since 2010. The Pistons are big favorites to win the series.
Here’s what you need to know about Game 1.
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 on Fubo, which offers a free trial and has ABC, NBC and ESPN. You can also stream NBC games on 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.
Who will Pistons play if they beat Magic?
The NBA does not re-seed after the first round of the playoffs, meaning the winner of the 1-8 series (Pistons-Magic) will face the winner of the 4-5 series (Cavaliers-Raptors).
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: What channel is Pistons vs Magic on today? Time, TV, stream for Game 1
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
