NBA playoff clinching scenarios for April 9: Celtics, Knicks, 76ers and seeding battles explained

With just days left in the regular season, Thursday night’s NBA slate carries major playoff implications. From Eastern Conference seeding battles to Western Conference positioning, contenders across the league have something real on the line.

NBA standings snapshot (as of April 9)

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons (No. 1 seed clinched)
2. Boston Celtics (Playoff berth clinched; in contention for No. 2 seed)
3. New York Knicks (Playoff berth clinched; seeding TBD)
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (Playoff berth clinched; seeding TBD)
5. Atlanta Hawks (Playoff contention; battling for top-6)
6. Toronto Raptors (Playoff contention; battling for top-6)
7. Orlando Magic (Play-in range; can still reach top-6)
8. Philadelphia 76ers (Play-in range; can still reach top-6)
9. Charlotte Hornets (Play-in contention)
10. Miami Heat (Play-in tournament clinched)

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1 seed clinched; home-court throughout playoffs)
2. San Antonio Spurs (No. 2 seed clinched)
3. Denver Nuggets (Playoff berth clinched; seeding TBD)
4. Los Angeles Lakers (Playoff berth clinched; seeding TBD)
5. Houston Rockets (Playoff berth clinched; seeding TBD)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 6 seed clinched)
7. Phoenix Suns (Play-in berth clinched; No. 7 seed range)
8. Los Angeles Clippers (Play-in berth clinched; seeding TBD)
9. Portland Trail Blazers (Play-in berth clinched; seeding TBD)
10. Golden State Warriors (Play-in berth clinched; No. 10 seed range)

Playoff-clinching scenarios and what’s at stake in the NBA tonight

Biggest game of the night: Boston Celtics at New York Knicks

This is easily the most important game of the night in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics have a chance to clinch the No. 2 seed and the New York Knicks are still fighting to move up or avoid slipping to No. 4.

What do the Celtics need to clinch No. 2 in the Eastern Conference? Simple.

• Celtics clinch the No. 2 seed with a win over the Knicks

With a win, Boston would avoid slipping to No. 3 and have home-court advantage in the second round. With both teams already playoff-bound, this one is all about who gets the easier path.

Playoff pressure: Philadelphia 76ers at Houston Rockets

This game has implications on both sides of the bracket. The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to avoid the play-in tournament while the Houston Rockets are battling for top-4 positioning in the West.

What’s at stake?

• If the 76ers win: They stay in control of a top-6 spot and avoid play-in danger
• If the 76ers lose: They risk slipping into the crowded 7–10 range
• If the Rockets win: They stay in the hunt for the No. 3 seed and home-court advantage
• If the Rockets lose: They could slide toward No. 5 and lose home-court in Round 1

This is one of the few games tonight where both teams have high stakes.

Seeding battle: Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors

This one is all about playoff vs. play-in positioning. Here are the scenarios. The Toronto Raptors are pushing for a top-6 seed (guaranteed playoff spot) while the Miami Heat are trying to climb within the play-in bracket.

• If the Raptors win: They stay on track for a top-6 seed and avoid the play-in
• If the Raptors lose: They risk slipping into the crowded play-in race
• If the Heat win: They keep hopes alive of climbing to No. 8 and gaining a major play-in advantage
• If the Heat lose: They’re likely stuck in the 9–10 range, facing a tougher path

The big picture in the Eastern Conference

While the Detroit Pistons have already locked up the No. 1 seed, the rest of the conference is still in flux. Just a few games separate the No. 5 seed from the No. 9 seed

Teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and Charlotte Hornets are all still fighting to either secure a guaranteed playoff spot or avoid dropping into the play-in altogether.

Western Conference ripple effects

Even without a head-to-head matchup between contenders, Thursday’s results will still impact the Western Conference race. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, and Houston Rockets are locked in a tight race for the No. 3–5 seeds, where home-court advantage is still up for grabs.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers are still battling for positioning within the play-in tournament, where the difference between No. 8 and No. 9 is massive.

Four days left in the NBA regular season

With the regular season ending April 12, every game now carries postseason consequences. Thursday night may not finalize the bracket, but it could lock in key seeds, push teams closer to clinching, or completely reshape the playoff picture.

With so little separating teams across both conferences, a single result could swing matchups, seeding, and playoff survival.

Related stories

NBA

From Kobe to Luka: Why athletes trust Europe for faster injury recovery

Spurs

Victor Wembanyama targets return as Spurs manage injury timeline

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.