The 2026 NBA postseason is scheduled to start on April 18, six days after the regular season ends. The play-in tournament to determine the final two spots in each conference will take place from April 14 to April 17.
Here’s the current NBA playoff bracket if the season ended today:
NBA Playoff Bracket: Eastern Conference
NBA Playoff Bracket: Western Conference
When do the NBA Playoffs Begin?
The 2026 NBA playoffs begin on April 18.
The 2025-26 regular season ends on April 12.
How Many Teams Make the NBA Playoffs?
A total of 16 teams make the NBA playoffs, featuring eight from each conference.
The final two spots in each conference are determined by the play-in tournament, which takes place the week between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
How Does the Play-In Tournament Work?
The current play-in tournament has been in place since 2021 to reduce tanking, as more teams have a chance to make the playoffs.
The team that finishes the regular season as the No. 7 seed in its conference will host the No. 8 seed. The winner will claim the No. 7 seed and face the No. 2 seed in Round 1, while the loser will get one more opportunity to notch a postseason berth.
The loser of the 7-8 matchup will host the winner of the 9-10 play-in tournament game. That will be a winner-take-all matchup with the victorious squad earning the No. 8 seed and a Round 1 series against the No. 1 team in the conference.
How Many Rounds in the NBA Playoffs?
There are four rounds in the NBA playoffs: the first round, the conference semifinals, the conference finals, and the NBA Finals.
A best-of-seven series determines the winner of each round.
NBA Playoffs Odds
When the stakes increase on the court, they can increase at the online sportsbook with NBA playoff odds. From the play-in tournament through the NBA Finals, BetMGM is the premier destination for NBA betting.
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