NBA Playoff Outlook as 2026 Finals Approaches

Don’t let the calendar deceive you. As we reach mid-December in the NBA season, it’s impossible to ignore the growing sample size. Teams that aren’t contenders are starting to fade, while legitimate championship contenders are distinguishing themselves from the pack.

With the NBA Cup Finals on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to take a step back and assess the playoff picture as it currently stands. Here’s how the brackets would look if the season were to end today:

2026 NBA Playoff Picture

Eastern Conference Bracket

• (1) Pistons vs. (8) Cavaliers
• (2) Knicks vs. (7) 76ers
• (3) Celtics vs. (6) Heat
• (4) Magic vs. (5) Raptors

Western Conference Bracket

• (1) Thunder vs. (8) Warriors
• (2) Nuggets vs. (7) Suns
• (3) Rockets vs. (6) Timberwolves
• (4) Lakers vs. (5) Spurs

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Detroit Pistons (20-5)
2. New York Knicks (18-7)
3. Boston Celtics (15-10)
4. Orlando Magic (15-11)
5. Toronto Raptors (15-11)
6. Miami Heat (14-11)
7. Philadelphia 76ers (14-11)
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-12)
9. Atlanta Hawks (15-12)
10. Milwaukee Bucks (11-16)
11. Chicago Bulls (10-15)
12. Charlotte Hornets (8-18)
13. Brooklyn Nets (7-18)
14. Indiana Pacers (6-20)
15. Washington Wizards (4-20)

Western Conference Standings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-2)
2. Denver Nuggets (18-6)
3. Houston Rockets (16-6)
4. Los Angeles Lakers (18-7)
5. San Antonio Spurs (18-7)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9)
7. Phoenix Suns (14-12)
8. Golden State Warriors (13-14)
9. Memphis Grizzlies (11-14)
10. Dallas Mavericks (10-16)
11. Portland Trail Blazers (10-16)
12. Utah Jazz (9-15)
13. LA Clippers (6-19)
14. Sacramento Kings (6-20)
15. New Orleans Pelicans (5-22)

NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket

Eastern Conference

• (7) 76ers vs. (8) Cavs
• (9) Hawks vs. (10) Bucks

Western Conference

• (7) Suns vs. (8) Warriors
• (9) Grizzlies vs. (10) Mavs

Key Dates to Remember

• April 14-17: NBA Play-In Tournament
• April 18: NBA playoffs begin
• May 5-6: NBA conference semifinals kick off
• May 20: NBA conference finals commence
• June 5: NBA Finals begin (projected)

How many teams qualify for the NBA playoffs?

In total, 16 teams will reach the NBA playoffs, with eight from each conference. The top six seeds in both conferences progress based on their regular-season records, while the final two spots in each conference result from the NBA Play-In Tournament.

When do the NBA Playoffs commence?

The playoffs for the 2026 season are scheduled to start on April 18, following a short break after the end of the regular season on April 12.

How is the Play-In Tournament structured?

The Play-In Tournament, established in 2021 to keep teams competitive and minimize tanking, decides the last two playoff spots in each conference. The No. 7 seed faces the No. 8 seed, with the winner earning the No. 7 position and a seed against the No. 2 team. The losing team gets an additional chance to continue competing.

The 7 vs. 8 loser will host the winner of the 9 vs. 10 game. The victor of that last Play-In match secures the No. 8 seed, facing the conference’s top seed in the first round.

How many playoff rounds are there?

The NBA postseason comprises four rounds: the first round, conference semifinals, conference finals, and the NBA Finals, with each round determined by a best-of-seven series.