NBA Playoffs 2026: First-Round Matchups and Play-In Tournament Details

The 2025-26 NBA regular season has concluded, finalizing the teams and matchups for the upcoming playoffs and play-in tournament. The Detroit Pistons secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Oklahoma City Thunder claimed the top spot in the Western Conference for the second consecutive year.

In the Eastern Conference, the play-in tournament features the No. 8 Orlando Magic facing the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, with the 76ers favored by 1.5 points. Additionally, the No. 10 Miami Heat will play against the No. 9 Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets favored by 5.5 points. The winners of these games will advance to the playoffs, with the Pistons and Boston Celtics awaiting their opponents.

The Western Conference play-in tournament includes the No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers versus the No. 7 Phoenix Suns, with the Suns favored by 4.5 points. The No. 10 Golden State Warriors will take on the No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers, with the Clippers favored by 4.5 points. Victors from these matchups will proceed to face the top-seeded Thunder and second-seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

First-round playoff series are also set. In the East, the No. 3 New York Knicks will face the No. 6 Atlanta Hawks, with the Knicks favored at -300. The No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers will play the No. 5 Toronto Raptors, with the Cavaliers favored at -700. In the West, the No. 3 Denver Nuggets will compete against the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, with the Nuggets favored at -350. The No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers will face the No. 5 Houston Rockets, with the Rockets favored at -800.

The play-in tournament begins on April 14, with the first round of the playoffs commencing on April 18. Fans can anticipate a series of competitive games as teams vie for the championship.