The opening weekend of the 2026 NBA playoffs saw several notable performances, including the Toronto Raptors' loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where Brandon Ingram was held to just nine shots in a game against the Cavaliers. Ingram's performance was attributed to his team's leading scorer, averaging 16.7 shots per game in the regular season. However, the Cavaliers managed to keep him out of the spots where he typically damages opponents, particularly after halftime. The New York Knicks' best players, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, had solid games in their win against the Hawks, but Josh Hart's contributions to New York's championship contender were overlooked. The Houston Rockets' performance was also criticized for being unimaginative and lacking leadership from their head coach Ime Udoka. The Lakers' performance also highlighted a lack of development from their younger core players. Despite a strong case for LeBron James for the Los Angeles Lakers, there are concerns about the team's offensive approach and lack of creativity from their young players.