NBA 2026 Playoff Image Bracket Table Entering the NBA Cup Finals
Don’t let the calendar fool you. As we reached the middle of December in NBAthe sample size becomes too large to ignore. Contenders fade, contenders separate, and anomalies begin to look real.
On the eve of the NBA Cup Finals, it seems like a good time to take stock of how the league is faring. Keep reading to see what the NBA playoff picture would look like if the season ended today:
2026 NBA Playoffs Image
Eastern Conference Bracket
Western Conference bracket
- (1) Thunder vs. (8) Warriors
- (2) Nuggets vs. (7) Sons
- (3) Rockets vs. (6) Timberwolves
- (4) Lakers vs. (5) Spurs
Eastern Conference Standings
Western Conference standings
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
Other key dates
- April 14-17: NBA Play-In Tournament
- April 18: NBA playoffs begin
- 5-6. May: NBA conference semifinals begin
- May 20: The NBA Finals begin
- June 5: NBA Finals Begin (Predicted)
How many teams make the NBA playoffs?
Sixteen teams in total enter the NBA playoffs, eight teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences. The top six seeds in each conference advance based on their regular season record. The bottom two seeds in each conference determine the NBA Play-In Tournament.
When do the NBA playoffs start?
The 2026 NBA playoffs begin on April 18. 2025-26 regular season. ends on April 12, giving teams a short break before the postseason ends.
How does the Play-In tournament work?
The Play-In Tournament, introduced in 2021 to keep more teams competitive and reduce inventory, determines the final two playoff spots in each conference.
The 7th seed hosts the 8th seed, and the winner secures the 7th seed and a first-round matchup with the 2nd seed. The loser gets one more chance to make the postseason.
The loser of the 7 vs. 8 game will host the winner of the 9 vs. 10 matchup. The winner of that final Play-In game takes the 8th seed and gets a first round meeting with the conference’s top seed.
How many rounds are there in the NBA playoffs?
The NBA postseason includes four rounds: the first round, the conference semifinals, the conference finals, and the NBA finals. Each round is decided by a best-of-seven series.
2025-12-15 16:28:00
