The playoffs often rewards experience, but Orlando Magic showed that resilience and physicality could level the playing field against the NBA’s elite teams; Yankee Scores reports…

Jalen Suggs’ Defensive Spark

As Cade Cunningham was trying to receive the pass, Jalen Suggs stole the ball and went down to slam dunk with a two-handed throw, while screaming.

Four minutes had passed into Game 1 when the Orlando Magic clearly showed to the top seed in the Eastern Conference that they did not fear them and would show Detroit some fight.

Jalen Suggs opened the game and scored 11 points to help his team get into Detroit and shock the Pistons 112-101, getting them a 1-0 advantage in the series.

playoff 🅿️ pic.twitter.com/E263gZhkSG

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 20, 2026

Suggs’ steal and dunk triggered a 15-2 run and helped the Magic build a 18-5 lead in the first quarter, despite Detroit’s best attempts to come back through Cunningham’s 39 points including his tying 3 in the third quarter that resulted in an equal score – 65-65.

It seemed like the Pistons came too slowly out of a long break that lasted one week and were not prepared for such an unexpected blow from the Magic.

Banchero’s First-Half Masterclass

Banchero added to Suggs’ great game and managed to score 17 out of his 23 points in the first half while providing accurate passes for his team to succeed against Detroit.

The Magic packed the paint area and restricted the All-Star Jalen Duren’s performance, giving him only eight points and seven rebounds during the game.

The good news for Detroit is that Cunningham claimed to feel well in his first playoff game after his lung collapsed on March 17, playing 40 minutes in this game, his fourth since returning from 11 straight absences.