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

The Los Angeles Lakers are officially getting a second shot at making a playoff run behind Luka Dončić and LeBron James.

The Lakers clinched a spot in the 2026 NBA Playoffs on Tuesday with the Phoenix Suns' 115-111 loss to the Orlando Magic.

Here's a look at the updated NBA standings now that the Lakers are officially in the playoff race.

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Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (60-16) — Clinched playoff berth
2. San Antonio Spurs (57-18) — Clinched playoff berth
3. Los Angeles Lakers (49-26) — Clinched playoff berth
4. Denver Nuggets (49-28) — Clinched playoff berth
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (46-29)
6. Houston Rockets (45-29)
7. Phoenix Suns (42-34)
8. Los Angeles Clippers (39-36)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (38-38) — Clinched play-in berth
10. Golden State Warriors (36-39) — Clinched play-in berth
11. Memphis Grizzlies (25-50) — Eliminated
12. New Orleans Pelicans (25-51) — Eliminated
13. Dallas Mavericks (24-51) — Eliminated
14. Utah Jazz (21-55) — Eliminated
15. Sacramento Kings (19-57) — Eliminated

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons (54-21) — clinched playoffs
2. Boston Celtics (50-25) — clinched postseason
3. New York Knicks (48-27) — clinched postseason
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (47-28) — clinched play-in
5. Toronto Raptors (42-32) — clinched play-in
6. Atlanta Hawks (43-33) — clinched play-in
7. Philadelphia 76ers (41-34) — clinched play-in
8. Orlando Magic (40-35) — clinched play-in
9. Miami Heat (40-36) — clinched play-in
10. Charlotte Hornets (39-36) — clinched play-in
11. Milwaukee Bucks (29-45) — eliminated
12. Chicago Bulls (29-46) — eliminated
13. Brooklyn Nets (18-57) — eliminated
14. Washington Wizards (17-58) — eliminated
15. Indiana Pacers (17-58) — eliminated

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Both Dončić and James were limited by injuries last spring as the Lakers were eliminated in five games during a first-round matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers are hoping for a different result from a second playoff run with Dončić, who led the NBA in scoring with 33.7 points per game through the first 62 contests of the season.

James has missed more time due to injury, but he's still contributing 20.9 points and 7.0 assists when available.

The Lakers have also benefitted from a career-best season for Austin Reaves, who is averaging 23.5 points per game. Marcus Smart has been stepping up on defense, while Deandre Ayton has been accepting more limited usage while becoming a reliable closer.

Keeping Dončić and James healthy down the stretch will be key to the Lakers' hopes of taking advantage of that depth and making a deeper run now that Los Angeles is officially back in the postseason.