The 2026 NBA playoffs are upon us.
As of this second, 20 groups are nonetheless alive for a shot on the Larry O’Brien trophy. Nonetheless, eight of these groups nonetheless have some work to do earlier than their playoff journeys can start in earnest. Issues kick off on Tuesday with the Play-In Match, as 4 groups within the Japanese Convention, and 4 groups within the Western Convention, vie for the ultimate two spots in every convention.
Right here is the schedule for the Play-In Match in addition to the First Spherical of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. And be warned, if you wish to watch all of the video games, you higher have Prime Video.
Right here’s the ultimate bracket for the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Bear in mind, the NBA doesn’t reseed.
Japanese Convention Play-In
The Japanese Convention Play-In match will get issues happening Tuesday, April 15. The Miami Warmth and the Charlotte Hornets sq. off within the first sport, with the loser eradicated from postseason competition. The winner will tackle the loser of Wednesday’s sport between No. 8 Orlando and No. 7 Philadelphia, with the winner of that sport securing the No. 7 seed within the East.
The loser of that second sport will drop to the No. 8 spot.
No. 10 Miami Warmth at No. 9 Charlotte Hornets: Tuesday, April 14 (7:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Loser eradicated
No. 8 Orlando Magic at No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers: Wednesday, April 15 (7:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Winner secures No. 7 seed in East
No. 7/No. 8 loser vs. No. 9/No. 10 winner: Friday, April 17 (7:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Winner secures No. 8 seed in East, loser eradicated
Western Convention Play-In
Over within the Western Convention, the Play-In Match begins with the Phoenix Suns internet hosting the Portland Path Blazers, with the winner of that sport on Tuesday securing the No. 7 seed. The loser will tackle the winner of Wednesday’s sport between No. 10 Golden State and No. 9 Los Angeles.
No. 8 Portland Path Blazers at No. 7 Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, April 14 ( 10:00 p.m., Prime Video)
Winner secures No. 7 seed in West
No. 10 Golden State Warriors at No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers: Wednesday, April 15 ( 10:00 p.m., Prime Video)
Loser eradicated
No. 7/No. 8 loser vs. No. 9/No. 10 winner: Friday, April 17 ( 10:00 p.m., Prime Video)
Winner secures No. 8 seed in West, loser eradicated
Japanese Convention Playoffs
Six groups are ready within the Japanese Convention, led by the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. They’ll tackle the No. 8 seed within the first spherical, whereas the Boston Celtics — who verify in because the No. 2 seed within the East — will tackle the No. 7 seed.
The opposite two first-round matchups are set: No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Atlanta, and No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 Toronto.
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 (TBD)
Sport 1: TBD at Detroit: Sunday, April 19 (6:30 p.m., NBC)
Sport 2: TBD at Detroit: TBD
Sport 3: Detroit at TBD: TBD
Sport 4: Detroit at TBD: TBD
Sport 5: TBD at Detroit: TBD*
Sport 6: Detroit at TBD: TBD*
Sport 7: TBD at Detroit: TBD*
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 (TBD)
Sport 1: TBD at Boston: Sunday, April 19 (1:00 p.m., ABC)
Sport 2: TBD at Boston: TBD
Sport 3: Boston at TBD: TBD
Sport 4: Boston at TBD: TBD
Sport 5: TBD at Boston: TBD*
Sport 6: Boston at TBD: TBD*
Sport 7: TBD at Boston: TBD*
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks
Sport 1: Atlanta at New York: Saturday, April 18 (6:00 p.m., Prime Video)
Sport 2: Atlanta at New York: TBD
Sport 3: New York at Atlanta: TBD
Sport 4: New York at Atlanta: TBD
Sport 5: Atlanta at New York: TBD*
Sport 6: New York at Atlanta: TBD*
Sport 7: Atlanta at New York: TBD*
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors
Sport 1: Toronto at Cleveland: Saturday, April 18 (1:00 p.m., Prime Video)
Sport 2: Toronto at Cleveland: TBD
Sport 3: Cleveland at Toronto: TBD
Sport 4: Cleveland at Toronto: TBD
Sport 5: Toronto at Cleveland: TBD*
Sport 6: Cleveland at Toronto: TBD*
Sport 7: Toronto at Cleveland: TBD*
Western Convention Playoffs
Over within the Western Convention, the defending champions are ready on the outcomes of the Play-In Match, because the Thunder may have home-court within the First Spherical towards the No. 8 seed. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs secured the No. 2 seed, and can tackle the No. 7 seed.
The opposite two matchups within the Western Convention are set. Within the first, No. 3 Denver will tackle No. 6 Minnesota, whereas within the second, No. 4 Los Angeles matches up towards No. 5 Houston.
No. 1 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. No. 8 (TBD)
Sport 1: TBD at Oklahoma Metropolis: Sunday, April 19 (3:30 p.m., ABC)
Sport 2: TBD at Oklahoma Metropolis: TBD
Sport 3: Oklahoma Metropolis at TBD: TBD
Sport 4: Oklahoma Metropolis at TBD: TBD
Sport 5: TBD at Oklahoma Metropolis: TBD*
Sport 6: Oklahoma Metropolis at TBD: TBD*
Sport 7: TBD at Oklahoma Metropolis: TBD*
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 (TBD)
Sport 1: TBD at San Antonio: Sunday, April 19 (9:00 p.m., NBC)
Sport 2: TBD at San Antonio: TBD
Sport 3: San Antonio at TBD: TBD
Sport 4: San Antonio at TBD: TBD
Sport 5: TBD at San Antonio: TBD*
Sport 6: San Antonio at TBD: TBD*
Sport 7: TBD at San Antonio: TBD*
No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
Sport 1: Minnesota at Denver: Saturday, April 18 (3:30 p.m., Prime Video)
Sport 2: Minnesota at Denver: TBD
Sport 3: Denver at Minnesota: TBD
Sport 4: Denver at Minnesota: TBD
Sport 5: Minnesota at Denver: TBD*
Sport 6: Denver at Minnesota: TBD*
Sport 7: Minnesota at Denver: TBD*
No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets
Sport 1: Houston at Los Angeles: Saturday, April 18 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
Sport 2: Houston at Los Angeles: TBD
Sport 3: Los Angeles at Houston: TBD
Sport 4: Los Angeles at Houston: TBD
Sport 5: Houston at Los Angeles: TBD*
Sport 6: Los Angeles at Houston: TBD*
Sport 7: Houston at Los Angeles: TBD*
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