Raptors clinch playoff spot, set to face Cavaliers in first round
The Raptors are back in the postseason after beating the Hawks, securing the No. 5 seed in the East.
The Toronto Raptors are heading back to the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2021–22 season. They locked in the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing ahead of the Atlanta Hawks, setting up a first-round matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who claimed the fourth spot.
CLINCHED ☑️ #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/VUTOYah7Ak
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 13, 2026
Tough test awaits Toronto
Toronto swept the Cavaliers in their regular-season meetings, although the two teams haven’t faced each other since November.
- (5) Raptors vs. (4) Cavaliers | Saturday, April 18 - 1:00 PM ET
The Raptors benefited from the tiebreaker over Atlanta, with both teams finishing at 46–36. Toronto held the edge by winning every head-to-head matchup during the season.
They closed out the regular season in dominant fashion, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 136–101. Scottie Barnes led the way with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, recording his third triple-double of the season.
📢 First Round: Game 1 Schedule ⬇️
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 13, 2026
The NBA Playoffs presented by @Google begin Saturday, April 18. pic.twitter.com/Xu2eiP8CXZ
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