The Denver Nuggets travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves for Game 3, with both squads looking to secure a 2-1 series lead.
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’ve got a triple-header on one of the best basketball days of the year!
What we know about Thursday’s Game 3s:
Knicks-Hawks heads to Atlanta with the series tied 1-1 (7:00 p.m. ET, Prime). Dating back to the regular season, three of the five matchups between these teams have been decided by one possession.
Cavs look to take commanding 3-0 lead, while the Raptors look to bounce back at home (8:00 p.m. ET, Prime). After back-to-back double–digit victories, the Cavaliers look to become the first team to take a 3-0 lead this postseason. Toronto will be playing their first home playoff game since 2022.
Pivotal game 3 heads to Minnesota as Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets take on Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves (9:30 p.m. ET, Prime). Since the start of the 2022–23 season, no matchup has been more frequent than Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: 30 meetings across the regular season and playoffs, split evenly at 15–15.
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.
CJ MCCOLLUM. CLUTCH SHOT.
ATL UP 1. 12.5 SECONDS LEFT. KNICKS BALL ON PRIME. pic.twitter.com/79Pua3E6t8
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
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.
THE HAWKS HOLD ON.
ATLANTA TAKES A 2-1 SERIES LEAD OVER NEW YORK! pic.twitter.com/6PFw4Tgcol
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
SCENES pic.twitter.com/K3sY5cKPFQ
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026
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.
JALEN BRUNSON PUTS THE KNICKS AHEAD.@nyknicks 108@ATLHawks 105
WHAT A PLAY FROM THE CAPTAIN. pic.twitter.com/6yIs3I3G3t
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
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.
COUNT IT. @JHarden13 | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/meG8ZZPsBs
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 24, 2026
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.
OG ANUNOBY, HOW ⁉️
2-POINT GAME IN ATLANTA WITH UNDER 4 TO GO!
GET TO PRIME FOR THE GAME 3 FINISH. pic.twitter.com/cwfPmo7l22
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
Toughhhh bucket JJ pic.twitter.com/qEMShaICJ8
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026
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!
NEW YORK IS STORMING BACK.
Miles McBride (12 PTS, 4-8 3PM) cuts ATL’s lead to 4 👌 pic.twitter.com/fccBhuevwv
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
Jonathan Kuminga is going off with a team-high 21 points off Atlanta’s bench.
That was TOUGH, JK 😤
Hawks looking to take a 2-1 series lead on Prime! pic.twitter.com/XsGjwQF6Kw
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
APRIL 23, 2026 / 9:24 ET
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.
CMB FINISHES THAT 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/MNqnMN4PpP
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 24, 2026
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.
Evan Mobley with POWER.
Close game in the 2Q of Game 3 of CLE/TOR 🍿 pic.twitter.com/sBOnUtTqBY
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
THAT’S WHAT WE CALL HUSTLE. @jaylontyson | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/hB4rV3ufWW
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 24, 2026
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.
TOWNS FROM LONG RANGE. pic.twitter.com/4zlUAPuUzv
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 24, 2026
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 BRUNSON FOR 17.
KNICKS BACK WITHIN 4 IN THE 3Q ‼️ pic.twitter.com/3vCkhinsZz
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
Jalen Johnson (15 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (14 pts, 3 3PM) are starting to click for the Hawks.
Jalen with a pair of CRAFTY reverse layups, one with each hand pic.twitter.com/fBdCSDi9N0
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026
3 threes in the 3rd for NAW 👨🍳👨🍳👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/sg7QrEPKvV
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026
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.
Dyson’s turn for a putback jam 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/MsMW2k3KlW
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026
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.
RJ BARRETT: 3-3 from deep to start the game 🎯
He leads all scorers with 11 on Prime! pic.twitter.com/gae6Gi3j5j
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
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.
AVAILABLE. 🐜 pic.twitter.com/oKwqcHsSHi
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 24, 2026
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 SAID NOT HERE 😤‼️ pic.twitter.com/VNlKxT6leZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 24, 2026
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.
🪣 First bucket. @JHarden13 ➡️ @spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/mq8ffe7XEC
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 24, 2026
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).
ended the 2Q on a 12-2 run pic.twitter.com/dHGhTfHcm0
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 24, 2026
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.
PUTTING ON A SHOW IN ATL.
CJ McCollum in the 1H: 16 PTS, 6-10 FGM
Hawks lead by 8 at the break 👏 pic.twitter.com/eIeBybBPR8
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
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.
BIG O Steal & Slam 🛠️ pic.twitter.com/iDFQkF7pW9
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 23, 2026
Onyeka Okongwu (4 pts, 1 stl, 2 blk) has the Atlanta crowd on their feet.
ONYEKA OKONGWU 🤯
MY GOODNESS. pic.twitter.com/D2iRrLTvPe
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2026
BIG O-M-G pic.twitter.com/pa8C64K4Sw
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 24, 2026
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.
HOT START FOR JONATHAN KUMINGA 🎯
10 PTS
4-4 FGM
Atlanta leads New York after the 1Q on Prime! pic.twitter.com/k6h5yyCr6a
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2026
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.
Dyson touches the paint and finds Jalen for 3 🎯 pic.twitter.com/nyGl9W5LOL
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 23, 2026
OG Anunoby (7 pts, 1 stl, 1 blk) and Jalen Johnson (5 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl) are bringing the energy.
HART & HUSTLE 💪
Josh Hart doing Josh Hart things! pic.twitter.com/tEwCEgOrzk
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2026
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.
Brunson SPIN & SCORE.
McCollum SIDESTEP TRIPLE.
Knicks (1-1) Hawks Game 3 is LIVE on Prime 🍿 pic.twitter.com/HH8TTwBo2m
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2026
APRIL 23, 2026 / 6:30 ET
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
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.