NBA

This is how the NBA Play-In and Playoff matchups look in the Western and Eastern Conferences

NBA Play-In schedule, matchups and format explained as the final playoff spots and full bracket take shape in both conferences.

JOHN G. MABANGLO

Edward Gonzaga Roddy Cons

Update: Apr 13th, 2026 01:31 EDT

The 2026 NBA regular season came down to the wire, with playoff positioning and the final Play-In Tournament spots decided in dramatic fashion.

With the postseason picture now set, here’s a complete guide to how the Play-In works, when it tips off, and what the playoff bracket looks like in both conferences.

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The Play-In Tournament features teams that finish 7th through 10th in each conference. It determines the final two playoff spots, the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.

The format gives teams multiple chances to qualify while raising the stakes for those on the bubble.

Steph and Kawhi, in a win-or-go-home @SoFi Play-In clash!

Winner moves on to play for the West 8-seed.

🍿 #10 Warriors vs. #9 Clippers
📺 Wednesday, 10:00pm/et, Prime pic.twitter.com/ioiAjs8EXM
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026

When is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The 2026 Play-In Tournament runs from Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April 17. Once those games wrap up, the full playoff bracket will be locked in.

Teams that clinched and Play-In qualifiers

In the Western Conference, the top six teams that secured automatic playoff berths are the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Play-In field in the West includes the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.

In the Eastern Conference, the top six are the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks.

The East Play-In teams are the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat.

How the NBA Play-In Tournament works

Western Conference Play-In

(10) Golden State Warriors vs. (9) Los Angeles Clippers

The loser is eliminated. The winner advances to face the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game for the No. 8 seed.

(8) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (7) Phoenix Suns

The winner secures the No. 7 seed.

THE BRACKET IS SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/bqSnxeDnzv
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026

Western Conference playoff bracket

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

Eastern Conference Play-In

(10) Miami Heat vs. (9) Charlotte Hornets

The loser is eliminated. The winner advances to face the loser of the 7 vs. 8 matchup for the No. 8 seed.

(8) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

The winner locks in the No. 7 seed.

Eastern Conference playoff bracket

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