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

After missing the playoffs in each of the last two years, the Atlanta Hawks have earned their way back into the postseason.

After Friday's 124-102 home win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Hawks improved to 46-35 and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.

Here are the updated standings in each conference after the Hawks punched their ticket to the playoffs.

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons (59-22) — Clinched No. 1 seed
2. Boston Celtics (55-26) — Clinched playoff berth
3. New York Knicks (53-28) — Clinched playoff berth
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-30) — Clinched playoff berth
5. Atlanta Hawks (46-35) — Clinched playoff berth
6. Toronto Raptors (45-36) 
7. Orlando Magic (45-36)
8. Philadelphia 76ers (44-37)
9. Charlotte Hornets (43-38) — Clinched play-in
10. Miami Heat (42-39) — Clinched play-in
11. Milwaukee Bucks (32-49) — Eliminated
12. Chicago Bulls (31-50) — Eliminated
13. Brooklyn Nets (20-61) — Eliminated
14. Indiana Pacers (19-62) — Eliminated
15. Washington Wizards (17-64) — Eliminated

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-16) — Clinched playoff berth
2. San Antonio Spurs (62-19) — Clinched playoff berth
3. Denver Nuggets (53-28) — Clinched playoff berth
4. Los Angeles Lakers (52-29) — Clinched playoff berth
5. Houston Rockets (51-30) — Clinched playoff berth
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (48-33) — Clinched playoff berth
7. Phoenix Suns (44-37) — Clinched play-in
8. Portland Trail Blazers (41-40) — Clinched play-in
9. Los Angeles Clippers (41-40) — Clinched play-in
10. Golden State Warriors (37-44) — Clinched play-in
11. New Orleans Pelicans (26-55) — Eliminated
12. Memphis Grizzlies (25-56) — Eliminated
13. Dallas Mavericks (25-56) — Eliminated
14. Sacramento Kings (22-59) — Eliminated
15. Utah Jazz (22-59) — Eliminated

The Hawks reshaped their future when they traded former franchise point guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards on Jan. 9. Atlanta was 18-21 at the time of the trade, but the team eventually found its groove.

While playing through first-time All-Star forward Jalen Johnson, the Hawks became one of the league's most potent offensive teams, ranking sixth in the NBA with 118.5 points per game. After a few injury-riddled seasons, Johnson managed to play in 72 games this year and averaged a near-triple-double with 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists.

The Hawks also got a career year from sharpshooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who went from averaging 9.4 points last year with the Minnesota Timberwolves to averaging 20.8 points in his first season in Atlanta. The seven-year veteran had never averaged more than 13 points in a season.

Veteran guard CJ McCollum, who was acquired as part of the Young trade, was a strong addition to the Hawks. He's averaged 18.7 points since his arrival and brought a steady presence to the team as it turned things around.

When Atlanta got on the right track, the team put together a season-best 11-game win streak from Feb. 22 to March 18. If the Hawks can stick with their winning formula, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.

Atlanta will try to finish the regular season strong when it returns to action on Sunday at the Miami Heat. The Hawks' postseason will either begin on Saturday, April 18 or Sunday, April 19.