NBA playoff schedule for the 2025/2026 season.
progresifjaya.co.id, JAKARTA – The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament has concluded. Four teams from the Western and Eastern Conferences have secured the final playoff spots. A total of 16 teams will compete in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with the first round starting Saturday, April 18, 2026, US time.
The first round will run from April 18 to May 3, if the tournament reaches seven games (best of seven). The semifinals and finals will then follow, with the schedule adjusting for the results of the first round.
The 2026 NBA Finals will then be held on June 3, 2026, with Game 4 scheduled for June 10, 2026, and Games 5-7 scheduled for June 13-19, 2026, if necessary.
Eastern Conference Playoffs
Detroit Pistons (1) vs Orlando Magic (8)
The Detroit Pistons (60-22) became division champions for the first time in 18 years. As the top seed, the Detroit Pistons had to wait for the eighth team to advance through the play-in. The Orlando Magic (45-37) secured their place as the final playoff team after defeating the Charlotte Hornets 121-90.
Boston Celtics (2) vs Philadelphia 76ers (7)
The Boston Celtics (56-26) hold the record for having made the playoffs for 12 consecutive seasons. Despite major changes in their starting lineup, the Boston Celtics remain a solid top-two seed starting in 2022. The Boston Celtics will meet either the Philadelphia 76ers or the Sixers (45-37), who qualified through the play-in after defeating the Orlando Magic 109-97 on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
New York Knicks (3) vs Atlanta Hawks (6)
The New York Knicks (53-29) achieved their best winning record in 13 seasons during Mike Brown’s first season as coach. The New York Knicks will face the Atlanta Hawks (46-36), who are in the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. The New York Knicks have been eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season.
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs Toronto Raptors (5)
The Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30) will face the Toronto Raptors (46-36) in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the top seed but were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors achieved their best record and made their first playoff appearance in three seasons.
Western Conference Ceiling
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs Phoenix Suns (8)
The Oklahoma City Thunder or OKC (64-18) continue to dominate the league with the best regular-season record. This is a great step toward defending their title. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns (45-37) advanced to the playoffs via the play-in route by defeating the Golden State Warriors 111-96. The Phoenix Suns’ victory ensured they were the final playoff team from the Western Conference, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs Portland Trail Blazers (7)
The San Antonio Spurs (62-20) are having a sensational season. This is their first playoff appearance after a seven-season absence. They also boast their best winning record since 2017. The San Antonio Spurs will face the Blazers (42-33), who are fighting for a playoff berth via the play-in route after defeating the Phoenix Suns 114-110.
Denver Nuggets (3) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
The Denver Nuggets (54-28) took over the top three in early March. This team still shows potential as a title contender. In each of the previous three seasons, the Denver Nuggets reached at least the semifinals, including the 2021 championship. The Denver Nuggets will face the Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33), who finished in the Western Conference finals for two consecutive seasons.
Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs Houston Rockets (5)
The LA Lakers (53-29) have won their most games since 2011. However, they have also been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets (52-30) have achieved the same winning streak as last season, each time they went seven games to lose in the first round of the playoffs.
Writer/Editor: Bembo
