NBA Playoff Picture 2026, Updated Bracket, Standings After Spurs Clinch Spot

For the first time since 2019, the San Antonio Spurs are headed to the playoffs.

The Spurs clinched their spot in the 2026 playoffs with a 101-100 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night, as Victor Wembanyama connected on a game-winning jumper with one second left in the fourth quarter.

As San Antonio improved to 52-18 with the win, here's an updated look at the standings in each conference.

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (55-15) — Clinched playoff berth
2. San Antonio Spurs (52-18) — Clinched playoff berth
3. Los Angeles Lakers (45-25)
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (43-27)
5. Houston Rockets (41-27)
6. Denver Nuggets (42-28)
7. Phoenix Suns (39-31)
8. Los Angeles Clippers (34-36)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (34-36)
10. Golden State Warriors (33-36)
11. Memphis Grizzlies (24-44)
12. New Orleans Pelicans (25-46)
13. Dallas Mavericks (23-47)
14. Utah Jazz (20-49) — Eliminated
15. Sacramento Kings (18-52) — Eliminated

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons (50-19)
2. Boston Celtics (46-23)
3. New York Knicks (45-25)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (43-27)
5. Toronto Raptors (39-29)
6. Atlanta Hawks (38-31)
7. Orlando Magic (38-31)
8. Miami Heat (38-32)
9. Philadelphia 76ers (37-32)
10. Charlotte Hornets (36-34)
11. Milwaukee Bucks (28-40)
12. Chicago Bulls (28-42)
13. Brooklyn Nets (17-52) — Eliminated
14. Washington Wizards (16-53) — Eliminated
15. Indiana Pacers (15-55) — Eliminated

After consecutive 22-60 finishes in 2023 and 2024, the Spurs improved to 34-48 during their 2024-25 campaign. Considering Wembanyama missed significant time last season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, it wasn't difficult to imagine San Antonio climbing further up the Western Conference standings.

The Spurs immediately establishing themselves as a threat to win the West and compete for a championship is a surprise, though.

San Antonio owns the No. 3 defensive rating and No. 4 offensive rating in the league, representing the only team to rank within the top four of both categories (via NBA.com).

The Spurs' prowess on both ends of the floor can be largely attributed to its young core including Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Castle has remained sharp after winning Rookie of the Year last season, while Harper has met expectations as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

De'Aaron Fox has also thrived throughout his first full season on the Spurs, averaging 19.0 points and 6.3 assists per game on 49.0/34.4/75.9 shooting splits. Fox was selected as an All-Star for the first time in his career.

As for Wembanyama, he's improved his efficiency on offense while remaining an imposing defensive force. The 22-year-old is recording 24.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 2.9 assists per game while compiling a career-high 62.2 true shooting percentage.

Wembanyama also owns the best individual net rating of any player in the association (via NBA.com).

Now, he'll be leading the Spurs back to the postseason.