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

There will be no play-in tournament for the Toronto Raptors.

Toronto clinched its spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs and the No. 5 seed on the final day of the regular season Sunday with a victory over the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta's loss to the Miami Heat.

While the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers were secured as the top four seeds in the Eastern Conference and the Hawks clinched either No. 5 or No. 6 heading into Sunday, the Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic still had a shot to secure the No. 6 seed.

The Raptors not only did so but also leapfrogged the Hawks in the process. Here's a look at the current postseason matchups.

Eastern Conference

Play-In Tournament

No. 7 Sixers (45-37) vs. No. 8 Magic (45-37)

No. 9 Hornets (44-38) vs. No. 10 Heat (43-39)

Playoff Matchups

No. 1 Pistons (60-22) vs. No. 8 (Play-In Team No. 2)

No. 2 Celtics (56-26) vs. No. 7 (Play-In Team No. 1)

No. 3 Knicks (53-29) vs. No. 6 Hawks (46-36)

No. 4 Cavs (52-30) vs. No. 5 Raptors (46-36)

Western Conference

Play-In Tournament

No. 7 Suns (45-37) vs. No. 8 Trail Blazers (42-40)

No. 9 Clippers (42-20) vs. No. 10 Warriors (37-45)

Playoff Matchups

No. 1 Thunder (64-18) vs. No. 8 (Play-In Team No. 2)

No. 2 Spurs (62-20) vs. No. 7 (Play-In Team No. 1)

No. 3 Nuggets (54-28) vs. No. 6 Timberwolves (49-33)

No. 4 Lakers (53-29) vs. No. 5 Rockets (52-30)

This marks quite the turnaround for the Raptors, who were 30-52 last season and haven't been to the playoffs since the 2021-22 campaign. They also haven't advanced past the first round since 2020, which was the year after they won the title with Kawhi Leonard leading the way.

This season's team surely won't be lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but it is a testament to head coach Darko Rajakovic and the players that they were able to exceed expectations and reach this point.

Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett are the two leading scorers and both came to Toronto via separate trades in past seasons. They have been ideal complements to Scottie Barnes, who came to the Raptors as the No. 4 overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft.

While that might not give the Raptors the star power to compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference in a playoff series, the trio has been consistent throughout the campaign. 

Ingram and Barrett can hit from the outside and attack off the bounce, while Barnes' versatility makes him a matchup nightmare and double-double threat every time he steps on the court.

Toronto will need all three of them to be dialed in if it is going to advance in the playoffs, but this is an impressive accomplishment on its own. Up next is a matchup with the Cavs in the playoffs. Toronto swept the season series, though all three games were played before December.