B/R

Examining 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket Picture, Race for Play-In Games and Top Seeds

Kristopher KnoxApr 3, 2026

The end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season is just over a week away. While the playoff picture isn't set yet, each passing day brings things a little more into focus.

We know, for example, which teams won't be in the postseason this year.

With five teams eliminated in each conference, only 20 teams still have a shot at reaching the NBA finals. Of course, some teams have a far better chance of getting there than others, and those forced to navigate the play-in tournament are significant long shots.

This means that the remaining regular-season games will carry intrigue, even if the postseason participants are set. Battles for top seeds, home court, playoff positioning, and to avoid the play-in remain alive.

Eastern Conference

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Minnesota TImberwolves v Detroit Pistons

Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

Pistons C Jalen Duren

Standings

1. Detroit Pistons 56-21

2. Boston Celtics 51-25

3. New York Knicks 49-28

4. Cleveland Cavaliers 48-29

5. Atlanta Hawks 44-33

6. Philadelphia 76ers 42-34

Play-In Line

7. Toronto Raptors 42-34

8. Charlotte Hornets 41-36

9. Orlando Magic 40-36

10. Miami Heat 40-37

Races to Watch

The Detroit Pistons are on the brink of clinching the No. 1 seed in the East. While the Boston Celtics are technically still alive for the top spot, their hopes are fading fast. Detroit's magic number is down to one, meaning a Pistons win or a Boston loss will give Detroit the top seed.

The good news for the Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers is that all three have cliched playoff berths and are close to securing home-court advantage in the opening round.

Cleveland clinched with its 118-111 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.

Things are extremely interesting at the back in the Eastern Conference playoff race, where all four current play-in teams still have a shot at avoiding the play-in tournament. There simply doesn't appear to be a significant gap between the East's second-tier playoff teams and those who will be lucky to sneak into the play-in.

The play-in tournament is structured as follows:

The No. 7 seed will host the No. 8 seed, with the winner securing the No. 7 seed in the playoffs and advancing. The No. 9 seed will host the No. 10 seed with the loser being eliminated. The loser of the 7-vs.-9 matchup will then face the winner of the 9-vs.-10 matchup with the winner of that game claiming the No. 8 seed and the loser being eliminated.

Western Conference

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Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Thunder G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Standings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder 61-16

2. San Antonio Spurs 58-18

3. Los Angeles Lakers 50-27

4. Denver Nuggets 49-28

5. Houston Rockets 47-29

6. Minnesota Timberwolves 47-30

Play-In Line

7. Phoenix Suns 42-35

8. Los Angeles Clippers 39-37

9. Portland Trail Blazers 40-38

10. Golden State Warriors 36-41

Races to Watch

The race for the top seed in the West remains alive and well, thanks to the surprisingly strong play of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio has surged down the stretch and is keeping pressure on the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

It'll also be interesting to see if the push for the top seed has an impact on this year's MVP race. Should the Spurs finish with a better record than OKC, it wouldn't be a shock to see Wembanyama claim the award over reigning MVP and current favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

While the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets are positioned to have home-court advantage in the opening round, their positions are not guaranteed. The Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves remain within striking distance. However, only the top five teams have clinched playoff spots.

Houston clinched with the Phoenix Suns' loss on Thursday night.

The battle for the top spot and the pushes for home-court advantage will be exciting. However, things aren't quite as intriguing toward the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture. Suns are currently the top play-in team, and they'll essentially need a perfect finish—and help—to avoid the play-in tournament this year.