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NBA

How do ties work in the NBA standings? The tiebreaker rules explained

With each of the league’s teams down to just a few remaining regular season games, there are still several playoff and Play-In tournament spots on the line.

With each of the league’s teams down to just a few remaining regular season games, there are still several playoff and Play-In tournament spots on the line.
David BerdingGetty

As we approach the end of the NBA’s regular season, the postseason tiebreaker has taken center stage. With a number of teams entrenched in a battle for a playoff spot, there is no margin for error at this point, meaning we’re in for a wild ride as we enter the home stretch, but what are the tiebreaker requirements and which teams have already secured one ahead of the 2023 NBA Playoffs? Let’s find out!

How do the NBA tiebreaker rules work?

To be clear, a tiebreaker comes into effect when two teams have the same record heading into the postseason. In terms of exactly how they break down, here’s what the NBA has to say about how the process works as it relates to determining who gets the spot in the playoffs or Play-In tournament and who doesn’t:

  • Head-to-head record
  • Division leader over team not leading division
  • Higher winning percentage within division if teams share a division
  • Higher winning percentage in conference games
  • Higher winning percentage vs. playoff teams in own conference
  • Higher winning percentage vs. playoff teams in other conference
  • Higher point differential (points scored vs. points allowed)

Interestingly, there are scenarios in which three teams can have the same record. In that case the league stipulates the following be used in order to differentiate between the teams:

  • Division leader over team not leading division
  • Head-to-head record
  • Higher winning percentage within division if teams share a division
  • Higher winning percentage in conference games
  • Higher winning percentage vs. playoff teams in own conference
  • Higher winning percentage vs. playoff teams in other conference
  • Higher point differential (points scored vs. points allowed)

What’s the current situation in the NBA’s standings (As of March 31st)

Eastern Conference

SeedTeamRecordGames Back
1Milwaukee Bucks *55-22 -
2Boston Celtics *54-241.5
3Philadelphia 76ers *51-264
4Cleveland Cavaliers *48-307.5
5New York Knicks 45-3310.5
6Brooklyn Nets42-3513
7Miami Heat 40-3715
8Atlanta Hawks 38-3917
9Toronto Raptors 38-3917
10Chicago Bulls37-4018
-Washington Wizards 34-4321
-Indiana Pacers 34-4421.5
-Orlando Magic 33-4422
EliminatedCharlotte Hornets26-5229.5
EliminatedDetroit Pistons 16-6139

*secured NBA Playoff spot

Western Conference

SeedTeamRecordGames Back
1Denver Nuggets *51-26-
2Memphis Grizzlies *49-282
3Sacramento Kings *47-304
4Phoenix Suns42-359
5Los Angeles Clippers41-3710.5
6Golden State Warriors41-3710.5
7Los Angeles Lakers39-3812
8New Orleans Pelicans39-3812
9Minnesota Timberwolves39-3912.5
10Oklahoma City Thunder38-4013.5
11Dallas Mavericks37-4014
12Utah Jazz36-4115
EliminatedPortland Trail Blazers32-45 19
EliminatedSan Antonio Spurs19-58 32
EliminatedHouston Rockets19-59 32.5

*secured NBA Playoff spot