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2026 NBA Playoffs

Recap: Hawks, Raptors and Timberwolves earn crucial Game 3 wins

Check out the best of Thursday's 2026 NBA Playoffs action, featuring Knicks-Hawks, Cavs-Raptors and Nuggets-Timberwolves.

Scottie Barnes dropped 33 points and 11 dimes in Toronto’s 126-104 win over Cleveland in Game 3. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)

We’re bringing you the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Thursday’s action.

We’re all done for the evening!

What we know about Thursday’s Game 3s:

  • Atlanta secured a 2-1 series lead behind CJ McCollum’s (23 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk) clutch bucket, Jalen Johnson (24 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk) and Jonathan Kuminga (21 pts, 4 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk).
  • The Raptors dominated Cleveland in their 126-104 win to avoid going down 3-0 in the series. Scottie Barnes (33 pts, 11 ast) and RJ Barrett (postseason career-high 33 pts, 6 3PM) cooked all night to help Toronto shoot 61% (14-23) from behind the arc, while Jamison Battle erupted for all 14 of his points (5-5 FG, 4 3PM) in the fourth quarter.
  • Minnesota handled business at home in their 17-point win to take a 2-1 series lead over the Nuggets. Jaden McDaniels (20 pts, 10 reb) and Ayo Dosunmu (25 pts, 9 ast) combined to shoot 19-for-28 from the field to help the Wolves outscore Denver in the paint (68-34) and on the fast break (21-7).

Thursday’s finals

Scottie Barnes (33 pts, 5 reb, 11 ast) and RJ Barrett (postseason career-high 33 pts) are your top performers of the night!

APRIL 24, 2026 / 12:41 ET

Knicks-Hawks Game 3 was🔥

The fourth quarter of this incredible Hawks’ win is worth the rewatch, but we’ll give you the best moments below.

APRIL 24, 2026 / 12:30 ET

Wolves win wire-to-wire Game 3

Ayo Dosunmu (25 pts, 3 reb, 9 ast), Jaden McDaniels (20 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk) and Anthony Edwards (17 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) fuel Minnesota’s dominant 113-96 victory over the Nuggets. The Wolves limit Denver to just 34% (28-82 FG) shooting overall, their worst field goal percentage of the entire 2025-26 season, in a game they never trailed.

Nikola Jokić (game-high 27 pts and 15 reb) and Jamal Murray (16 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast) lead the way for the Nuggets despite combining to shoot 12-for-43 on the night.

Denver will look to rally back to even the series at 2 games apiece on Saturday (8:30 p.m. on ABC).

APRIL 24, 2026 / 12:07 ET

Oh my, J-Mac

Jaden McDaniels has been in takeover mode on both ends of the floor, as he’s tallying 20 points on 9-for-13 shooting with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, one steal and one block in 40 minutes.

Minnesota leads Denver 107-94 with 1:42 remaining in the fourth.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 11:56 ET

Wolves eyeing wire-to-wire W

Minnesota has led the entire way in Game 3, and they’ve got a 98-81 edge over the Nuggets with 5:47 to go in the contest on Prime Video.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 11:37 ET

Hit the celly, Bones

Bones Hyland dances on Spencer Jones before dropping in his second 3 of the night. Minnesota is running and attacking the paint relentlessly, helping the Wolves take an 88-68 advantage over the Nuggets heading to the fourth quarter.

Ayo Dosunmu is up to a team-high 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting in 23 minutes off the bench.

Nikola Jokić (21 pts, 14 reb, 3 ast) and Jamal Murray (12 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast) lead the way for Denver.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 11:26 ET

Wolves maintaining edge in 3Q

Minnesota is up 75-54 with 4:26 to go in the third. Anthony Edwards (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) and Ayo Dosunmu (14 pts, 4 ast) pace five Wolves in double figures.

Nikola Jokić leads Denver with 17 points (5-20 FG) and 12 rebounds to go along with 3 assists and 2 steals.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 11:21 ET

Barnes, Barrett make Raptors history

Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett combine for 66 points in a historic performance for Toronto.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:59 ET

Highlights from Hawks’ W

Check out the best plays and moments from Atlanta’s thrilling victory against the Knicks to take a 2-1 series lead.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:53 ET

Wolves in complete control at half

Minnesota holds Denver to 31% shooting overall and 20% (3-15 3PM) from 3-point range to take a commanding 61-39 advantage at the break.

The Wolves’ defense has imposed their will through the first two quarters, resulting in 4 steals, 3 rejections and 9 forced turnovers for the Nuggets. Minnesota has massive leads in paint scoring (40-16) and on the fast break (14-1).

Nikola Jokić is doing a little bit of everything with 13 points (4-14 FG), 7 rebounds, one assist and 2 steals in 20 minutes of action.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:45 ET

Barnes, Barrett combine for 66 in W

Huge performances from Scottie Barnes (33 pts, 5 reb, 11 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk) and RJ Barrett (33 pts, 6 3PM, 5 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk) fuel Toronto’s 126-104 win over Cleveland in Game 3, helping the Raptors climb back in the series, down 2-1.

Jamison Battle scores all 14 of his points on 5-for-5 shooting and 4-for-4 from long range in the fourth quarter, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles pops for 22 points (11-15 FG), 8 boards, 2 assists, one steal and one block.

Six Cavs finish in double figures scoring, led by James Harden (18 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 8 TO), Evan Mobley (15 pts, 6 reb, 7 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk) and Donovan Mitchell (15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast).

Cleveland shoots 44% overall and just 31% (14-45 3PM) from 3, and Toronto scorches with 57% shooting from the field and 61% (14-23 3PM) from downtown.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:30 ET

Toronto closing in on first win

The Raptors have a 25-point lead over Cleveland with 1:34 left in the contest. Toronto gets back into the series in a big way at home.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:23 ET

Minnesota dominating early

The Wolves led 25-11 after one quarter, setting a new franchise record for lowest points allowed in a quarter during the playoffs.

Denver is shooting 23% overall and 18% from 3, and they trail Minnesota 32-20 with 8:56 remaining before halftime.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:18 ET

Raptors separating in 4Q

Toronto storms away for a 108-97 lead with 5:39 to go in the final frame, as Scottie Barnes (33 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk) and RJ Barrett (23 pts, 4 3PM) continue to cook at home.

James Harden (18 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast) and Evan Mobley (15 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast, 2 stl) pace things for the Cavs.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:09 ET

Wolves come out with force

Minnesota has jumped out to an 18-6 advantage with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter. Jaden McDaniels has a game-high 9 points on 4-for-6 shooting, while Anthony Edwards chips in 2 points, 3 boards and 3 dimes.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 10:03 ET

Tight game in Toronto

The Raptors have turned the Cavs over 20 total times, resulting in 17 points off for Toronto. Cleveland trails 83-81 heading to the third quarter.

The Cavs have six players in double figures, led by Max Strus (15 pts, 4 3PM) and Jaylon Tyson (13 pts, 3 3PM), while Scottie Barnes tallies a game-best 31 points and 9 assists.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:52 ET

Hawks take 2-1 series lead

CJ McCollum’s (23 pts, 5 reb, 2 stl, 2 blk) ice-cold jumper gives the Hawks a 109-108 win over the Knicks to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the series. Jalen Johnson dazzles with 24 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals and one block in 38 minutes, while Jonathan Kuminga adds 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting off the bench.

The Knicks had a chance at the end, but great defense from the Hawks seals the impressive victory. Jalen Brunson (26 pts, 4 ast, 2 stl), OG Anunoby (29 pts, 4 3PM, 9 reb, 3 blk) and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 pts, 17 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl, 3 blk) stuff the stat sheet in their second consecutive one-point defeat.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:45 ET

Knicks-Hawks is WILD

Jalen Brunson gets 3 the hard way, but CJ McCollum’s clutch bucket puts Atlanta up 109-108 in the closing seconds.

 

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:43 ET

Hoop & harm for Harden

James Harden has a team-high 13 points to go along with 4 boards and 3 dimes in 24 minutes, but the Cavs trail Toronto 69-66 midway through the third quarter.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:39 ET

OG nails the clutch 3

A triple from Miles McBride ties the game at 105-all with 1:16 to go in the game.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:32 ET

Knicks not done yet

New York has cut their deficit to just 5, 101-96, with 4:16 remaining in the contest on Prime Video!

Jonathan Kuminga is going off with a team-high 21 points off Atlanta’s bench.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:24 ET

Starting Lineups: Nuggets-Timberwolves, Game 3

The Nuggets are in Minnesota to take on the Wolves in Game 3 of their first round series on Amazon Prime, as the conference rivals each hope to snag a 2-1 lead. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

  • Denver Nuggets:
    • PG – Jamal Murray (30.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 7.0 apg)
    • SG – Christian Braun (14.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.0 spg)
    • SF – Cam Johnson (12.5 ppg, 1.5 apg)
    • PF – Spencer Jones (2.5 ppg in 9.6 mpg)
    • C – Nikola Jokić (24.5 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 9.5 apg)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves:
    • PG – Donte DiVincenzo (14.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.5 spg)
    • SG – Anthony Edwards (26.0 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.5 bpg)
    • SF – Jaden McDaniels (15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg)
    • PF – Julius Randle (20.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.0 apg)
    • C – Rudy Gobert (9.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 spg)

 

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:11 ET

Hawks up 8 heading to 4Q

Atlanta takes an 88-80 advantage over New York to the final quarter. CJ McCollum (18 pts, 2 stl) is the high Hawk, while Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby tally 21 points apiece for the Knicks.

Tune in live on Prime Video to catch the finish!

APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:08 ET

Cavs, Raps hustling hard

Scottie Barnes (15 pts, 5 ast) and RJ Barrett (13 pts, 3 3PM, 2 reb) are paving the way for Toronto, but Barnes and Brandon Ingram (5 pts, 2 stl) are dealing with foul trouble in the first half. Barnes has three, while Ingram just picked up his fourth.

Evan Mobley (9 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast), Donovan Mitchell (7 pts, 3 reb) and James Harden (7 pts, 2 ast) pace things for Cleveland, but they trail the Raptors 49-47 with 3:13 left before halftime.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:52 ET

KAT starting to cook

Karl-Anthony Towns is up to 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting with 10 rebounds, 2 dimes, one steal and one block.

The Knicks got to within 4 halfway through the third, but Atlanta has taken a 78-69 advantage with 4:40 remaining in the quarter. Jalen Brunson is now at a game-high 19 points in 26 minutes.

Jalen Johnson (15 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (14 pts, 3 3PM) are starting to click for the Hawks.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:40 ET

Hawks gaining ground in 3Q

Atlanta pushes their lead to 69-58 with 7:40 remaining in the third. CJ McCollum continues to lead all scorers with 16 points in 22 minutes.

Mikal Bridges (1 reb, 1 ast) and Josh Hart (8 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl) are both scoreless for New York on a combined 0-for-7 shooting and a -34 plus-minus rating.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:34 ET

Raptors, Barrett in rhythm

RJ Barrett and the Raptors have been lights out in the first quarter, as they’re shooting 76.9% (10-13 FG) overall and a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the arc. Toronto holds a 27-19 lead over Cleveland with 2:34 to go in the opening frame.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:27 ET

Ant good to go for G3

Anthony Edwards was listed as questionable with a lingering knee injury, but he’s active and ready to go for Minnesota in a crucial Game 3 matchup against Denver.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:22 ET

Cavs-Raptors underway on Prime Video

Toronto holds an early 13-10 lead with 7:13 remaining in the first quarter.

Scottie Barnes (6 pts, 1 ast, 1 blk) and Evan Mobley (1 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast), both top-four picks in the 2021 NBA Draft, continue their career-long battle in this series.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:16 ET

Knicks close 2Q strong

New York ends the first half on a 12-2 run to trim what was once an 18-point lead for Atlanta to just 8, 58-50, at halftime. Jalen Brunson tallies 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal, while OG Anunoby adds 10 points (2 3PM), 2 rebounds one steal and one block, but he’s been limited to 15 minutes due to foul trouble (3).

CJ McCollum is giving the home crowd everything they want, dropping a game-high 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting with two made 3s. Jalen Johnson (11 pts, 7 reb) and Jonathan Kuminga (11 pts, 3 reb) are the other two Hawks in double figures.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 8:02 ET

Hawks soaring in first half

Atlanta is shooting better than 54% from the field and 50% from 3-point range, helping the home squad grab a 50-36 advantage over New York with 4:11 to go in the first half.

Onyeka Okongwu (4 pts, 1 stl, 2 blk) has the Atlanta crowd on their feet.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 7:44 ET

Raining 3s in the ATL

Jonathan Kuminga catches fire with 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting and two made 3s off Atlanta’s bench, sparking a 33-21 edge for the Hawks after one quarter. Atlanta is shooting 6-for-8 (75%) from downtown, while New York is just 2-for-12 (16.7%) through 12 minutes.

Jalen Brunson (11 pts) and OG Anunoby (10 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk) are the engines so far for the Knicks.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 7:28 ET

Hawks feeling it in 1Q

Atlanta puts together a 9-2 run, forcing a timeout from New York. The Hawks lead 13-9 with 5:36 remaining in the opening quarter.

OG Anunoby (7 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk) and Jalen Johnson (5 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl) are bringing the energy.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 7:19 ET

Knicks-Hawks live on Prime!

New York is off to a 7-4 lead over Atlanta thanks to a quick 5 points from OG Anunoby, while CJ McCollum’s 3 points pace the Hawks.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 6:30 ET

Starting Lineups: Knicks-Hawks, Game 3

Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks host Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks for Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Playoffs first round series on Prime. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

  • New York:
    • PG – Jalen Brunson (28.5 ppg, 7.0 apg)
    • SG – Mikal Bridges (10.5 ppg, 30.0% on 5.0 3PA)
    • SF – OG Anunoby (16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.5 spg)
    • PF – Josh Hart (13.0 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.0 spg)
    • C – Karl-Anthony Towns (21.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg)
  • Atlanta:
    • PG – CJ McCollum (29.0 ppg, 36.8% on 9.5 3PA)
    • SG – Nickeil Alexander-Walker (13.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.0 bpg)
    • SF – Dyson Daniels (5.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 6.5 apg, 2.5 spg)
    • PF – Jalen Johnson (20.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.0 apg)
    • C – Onyeka Okongwu (17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 66.7% on 4.5 3PA)

APRIL 23, 2026 / 6:25 ET

Starting Lineups: Cavaliers-Raptors, Game 3

Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers face Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Playoffs first round series on Prime.

  • Cleveland:
    • PG – James Harden (23.6 ppg, 8.0 ast)
    • SG – Donovan Mitchell (27.9 ppg, 5.7 ast)
    • SF – Dean Wade (5.8 ppg, 36.2% on 3.3 3PA)
    • PF – Evan Mobley (18.2 ppg, 9.0 reb, 1.7 blk)
    • C – Jarrett Allen (15.4 ppg, 8.5 reb)
  •  Toronto:
    • PG – Ja’Kobe Walter (10.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)
    • SG – RJ Barrett (19.1 ppg, 49.1 FG%)
    • SF – Brandon Ingram (21.5 ppg, 38.2% on 4.6 3PA)
    • PF – Scottie Barnes (18.1 ppg, 7.5 reb, 5.6 ast)
    • C – Jakob Poeltl (10.7 ppg, 7.0 reb)

The Raptors won the season series over the Cavaliers 3-0, with a double-digit margin of victory in each game. All three occurred before Cleveland acquired James Harden.

APRIL 23, 2026 / 7:47 ET

Today’s injury report

Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is out for the Raptors.

Jock Landale (ankle) is out for the Hawks.

Anthony Edwards (right knee injury management) is questionable for the Timberwolves, while Jaylen Clark (illness) and Terrence Shannon, Jr. (illness) are both out.

Aaron Gordon (calf) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) have both been ruled out for the Nuggets.

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