2026 NBA playoffs and play-in: Matchups, schedule, brackets are set after conclusion of regular season

6 days ago 8

The NBA season concluded on Sunday with all 30 teams in action and playoff seeding at stake.

In the East, the Raptors secured the No. 5 seed and the final unclaimed guaranteed spot in the playoff field with a win over the Nets, relegating the 76ers and Magic to the play-in.

In the West, the Nuggets secured the No. 3 seed with a win over the Spurs, sending the Lakers to the No. 4 seed and a matchup with the Rockets.

The playoff field is set, and the first set of games are on the schedule.

NBA playoff schedule for first set of games:

Saturday, April 18

(5) Raptors at (4) Cavaliers, 1 p.m. | Amazon Prime
(6) Timberwolves at (3) Nuggets, 3:30 p.m. | Amazon Prime
(6) Hawks at (3) Knicks, 6 p.m. | Amazon Prime
(5) Rockets at (4) Lakers, 8:30 p.m. | ABC

Sunday, April 19

Play-in winner at (2) Celtics, 1 p.m. | ABC
Play-in winner at (1) Thunder 3:30 p.m. | ABC
Play-in winner at (1) Pistons, 6:30 p.m. | NBC
Play-in winner vs. (2) Spurs, 9 p.m. | NBC

Play-In Tournament schedule (all games on Prime)

Tuesday, April 14

East: (10) Heat vs. (9) Hornets, 7:30 p.m. ET
West: (8) Trail Blazers vs. (7) Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m. ET

Wednesday, April 15

East: (8) Magic vs. (7) 76ers, 7:30 p.m. ET
West: (10) Golden State Warriors vs. (9) Clippers, 10 p.m. ET

Playoff bracket

Eastern Conference

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) play-in winner
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) play-In winner
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets