NBA Playoffs Live Updates, Scores: Pistons Seek to Avoid Elimination in Game 5 vs. Magic

Detroit looks to keep hope alive against Orlando, ahead of Game 5 between the Cavaliers and Raptors. The Rockets also face elimination in the late game against the Lakers.

Apr 19, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in the second half during the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Two NBA franchises that entered the playoffs with high expectations face do-or-die Game 5s on Wednesday night.

First up: the Pistons. The East’s No. 1 seed has been pushed to the brink by the eighth-seeded Magic, and will need to win three consecutive games to advance to the second round. Wednesday’s middle game will break a tie between the No. 4 Cavaliers and No. 5 Raptors, with the series back in Cleveland after each team held serve at home. And at night, the Lakers will look to knock out the Rockets in a gentleman’s sweep after Houston scored a win in Game 4.

Check back here throughout the night for the latest scores, insights and big plays for all three of Wednesday’s games.

NBA playoffs live updates, scores, highlights for Pistons vs. Magic Game 5

NBA playoff schedule, broadcast information for Wednesday, April 29

LeBron James has led the Lakers to the brink of a series win over the Rockets without his two costars, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Pistons vs. Magic (1–3), Game 5

• Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101
• Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83
• Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105
• Game 4: Magic 94, Pistons 88
• Game 5: Wednesday, April 29, 7 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

It all comes down to this for the East’s top team. After a spectacular regular season, Detroit has come out flat and has struggled to get anything going offensively, even in its one win against Orlando. Should the Magic win, they’d become just the seventh No. 8 seed to win a series against the No. 1, the last being the Heat against the Bucks in 2023.

Cavaliers vs. Raptors (2–2), Game 5

• Game 1: Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113
• Game 2: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
• Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
• Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavaliers 89
• Game 5: Wednesday, April 29, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Cleveland’s impressive offense dominated its first two home games, while Toronto found some scoring punch in Game 3 and saw its defense put the clamps down on the Cavs in Game 4 to even things up and take all of the momentum in the series. Rocket Arena was not kind to the Raptors in Games 1 and 2. We’ll see if they can carry over what worked at home as the series heads back there.

Lakers vs. Rockets (3–1), Game 5

• Game 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98
• Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94
• Game 3: Lakers 112, Rockets 108
• Game 4: Rockets 115, Lakers 96
• Game 5: Wednesday, April 29, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Houston wasn’t blown out by Los Angeles in the first three games of the series, but could not get over the hump. They broke through in Game 4 to keep the series alive, but still have an uphill climb to reach the second round, and they’ll once again be without Kevin Durant, while the Lakers are getting closer to Austin Reaves’s return. He remains questionable for Wednesday night’s game.

---

More NBA Playoffs From Sports Illustrated

Listen to SI’s NBA podcast, Open Floor, below or on Apple and Spotify. Watch the show on SI’s YouTube channel.