Cavaliers overpower Raptors 126-113 in Game 1 of first-round series
cavaliers-overpower-raptors-game-1-2026-playoffs
The Cleveland Cavaliers opened the 2026 NBA Playoffs with a 126-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday afternoon at Rocket Arena, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series.
Fast start, strong finish
Cleveland set the tone with 35 points in the first quarter and added 36 more in the third, never allowing Toronto to regain control. The Cavaliers led by as much as 24 early in the fourth period; the Raptors’ largest advantage was five in the first half.
Mitchell paces balanced attack
Donovan Mitchell poured in a game-high 32 points to headline a multifaceted Cleveland offense that shot 54 percent from the field (44-of-81) and 50 percent from beyond the arc (16-of-32). Max Strus came off the bench to score 24 on 8-of-10 shooting, while James Harden delivered 22 points and 10 assists without a turnover.
Evan Mobley contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, and Jarrett Allen added 10 points and seven boards. Sam Merrill, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder and Dean Wade supplied key minutes, and rookie Jaylon Tyson recovered from early foul trouble to aid the second-half push.
Defense answers the call
Head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to stops and ball security as difference-making factors. Cleveland limited Toronto to zero dunks through three quarters and held Brandon Ingram to four points after halftime; the forward finished with 17. The Raptors, forced into long-range attempts, hit 13-of-27 three-pointers—above their regular output—yet still trailed throughout the final frame.
“Rebounds and turnovers are where they usually hurt opponents,” Atkinson told reporters postgame. “We matched their energy there and made them play a style they don’t prefer.”
Stat box
- Cavaliers: 44-of-81 FG (54 %), 16-of-32 3PT, 22-of-28 FT
- Raptors: 41-of-87 FG (47 %), 13-of-27 3PT, 18-of-23 FT
- Rebounds: Cleveland 42, Toronto 38
- Turnovers: Cleveland 10, Toronto 13
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night, again at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Source: Hoops Wire
