CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers desperately want to exorcise their postseason demons, and the franchise’s mission begins in earnest as a best-of-seven first-round playoff series begins against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, April 18, in Cleveland.
The fourth-seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, the Cavs went 0-3 against the fifth-seeded Raptors during the 2025-26 regular season, but all three matchups were long before Cleveland acquired point guard James Harden in a blockbuster trade on Feb. 3. The Cavs believe Harden better positions them for success, yet everyone involved knows the postseason is needed to adequately test the theory.
Tipoff for Game 1 between the Cavs (52-30) and Raptors (46-36) is scheduled for 1 p.m. Check back here for updates throughout the showdown:
Below is some pregame information.
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert delivers message to Cavaliers fans prior to Game 1
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert tweeted a message directed toward Cavaliers fans on the morning of April 18.
Here it is:
Cavs injury report vs. Raptors for Game 1
The Cavs ruled out backup center Thomas Bryant (left calf strain) for Game 1. Bryant missed the final four games of the regular season with the injury.
Toronto Raptors injury report vs. Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 1. Raptors rule out Immanuel Quickley
The Raptors listed starting point guard Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring strain) as questionable to play in Game 1. But during pregame media availability, Raptors coach Darko Rajaković said Quickley has been ruled out for Game 1.
Quickley left the Raptors’ regular-season finale April 12 against the Brooklyn Nets with right hamstring tightness. The next day, the Raptors announced Quickley had undergone medical imaging, leading him to be diagnosed with “a mild hamstring strain.” At the time, the Raptors described Quickley’s status as day to day.
Cavaliers starters vs. Raptors in Game 1
Here are the Cavs’ starters for Game 1:
Raptors starters vs. Cavs in Game 1
Here are the Raptors’ starters for Game 1:
How to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors. TV, streaming and radio info for Game 1 of Cavs playoffs
Game 1 between the Cavs and Raptors will be televised nationally by Prime Video. The local radio broadcast can be heard via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Cavs vs. Raptors prediction
Our Game 1 predictions can be found here.
And our series predictions can be found here.
Cavaliers, Raptors 2026 playoffs schedule
Here is the schedule for the Cavs-Raptors series, with the dates and times the NBA has announced thus far:
Eastern Conference playoff bracket 2026
Recent Cavs playoff history
This is the fourth consecutive season the Cavs have made the playoffs.
Here are the results from their previous three playoff appearances:
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers injury report, live updates vs Raptors, NBA playoffs Game 1
Reporting by Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
