NBA Playoffs 2024: Known Schedule, Bracket Picture Before Final Games of Season

The 10 best teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences will vie for a chance to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy as world champions of the 2023-24 NBA season when the league playoffs kick off with the play-in tournament on April 16.

Who are the teams clinging to their opportunity to advance and who sits atop each conference, both the clear favorites to win the title and the teams with the most pressure on them to succeed?

Find out with this preview of this year's playoffs.

NBA Playoffs Schedule

Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Boston, MA - April 11: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum looks to take a shot against the New York Knicks in the first quarter. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Play-in Tournament

April 16-19, 2024

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First Round Schedule

Play begins April 20

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Conference Finals Schedule

Begins May 21-22, but can be moved up to May 19-20 if the prior series end early

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NBA Finals Schedule

• Thursday, June 6: Game One
• Sunday, June 9: Game Two
• Wednesday, June 12: Game Three
• Friday, June 14: Game Four
• Monday, June 17: Game Five (if needed)
• Thursday, June 20: Game Six (if needed)
• Sunday, June 23: Game Seven (if needed)

Eastern Conference Bracket

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 12, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Bracket as of April 13:

10 Atlanta Hawks vs. 9 Chicago Bulls*

8 Miami Heat vs. 7 Philadelphia 76ers**

*Winner of 9 vs. 10 plays the loser of 7 vs. 8 for the eighth seed

**Winner of 7 vs. 8 is the seventh seed

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1 Boston Celtics vs. 8 TBD

2 Milwaukee Bucks vs. 7 TBD

3 New York Knicks vs. 6 Indiana Pacers

4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5 Orlando Magic

Western Conference Bracket

Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images

DENVER, CO - APRIL 10: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 10, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Bracket as of April 13:

9 Sacramento Kings vs. 10 Golden State Warriors

7 Phoenix Suns vs. 8 Los Angeles Lakers

*Winner of 9 vs. 10 plays the loser of 7 vs. 8 for the eighth seed

**Winner of 7 vs. 8 is the seventh seed

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1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8 TBD

2 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. 7 TBD

3 Denver Nuggets vs. 6 New Orleans Pelicans

4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. 5 Dallas Mavericks

Play-in Tournament an Inevitability for the Lakers

Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC -  APRIL 4: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers prepares to shoot a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on April 4, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2023-24 NBA season with championship aspirations, especially following their appearance in the Western Conference Championship last year.

Instead, the season has been one of ups and downs, a rollercoaster ride of emotions for fans and players alike, all of whom have seen lofty expectations devolve into hopes of merely making the dance.

The team is locked into the play-in tournament, with either an eighth or ninth seed possible, at least keeping their hopes of a return to the conference title series alive for the time being.

Los Angeles was adversely affected by injuries throughout the season, including those to Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, and Gabe Vincent. All missed time this season, hampering the team's ability to field consistent depth behind its stars.

The blame extends beyond the team's injury woes and into their inability to win meaningful games against teams similarly competing for their postseason lives.

The team can still succeed deep into the playoffs.

This year's squad is not wholly different from the squad that was one series victory away from an NBA Finals appearance and, given the experience and depth of the team, should not be counted out.

Unless the team gets similar performances from James and Austin Reaves, a key contributor in last year's postseason push, as they did a year ago it will be tough to imagine them making it back.

If they do not, expect to see changes in LA as the organization seeks its 18th NBA title. It's an understandable possibility, too, given the many offseason moves the team made in an attempt to make a championship season a possibility.