With just three game days left in the 2025-26 regular season, teams are in the midst of heated battles in the standings ahead of the start of the NBA playoffs on April 18.
The top six teams in each conference will earn an outright playoff berth at the conclusion of the regular season. The next four teams will compete in the play-in tournament on April 14-17 for the last two seeds in each conference, respectively.
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After 10 teams were eliminated from contention, the 20 bound for the postseason are locked in, either via a playoff berth or a spot in the play-in tournament. In fact, only six teams have clinched their positions, leaving 14 of the 20 postseason seeds still to be decided.
Six games are scheduled for Thursday in the NBA, with several key matchups and an Eastern Conference clinching scenario to monitor throughout the evening.
What are the matchups on Thursday?
Playoff Picture
Which teams have clinched a playoff berth?
Western Conference:
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Oklahoma City Thunder (64-16)
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San Antonio Spurs (61-19)
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Los Angeles Lakers (50-29)
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Minnesota Timberwolves (47-33)
Eastern Conference:
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Cleveland Cavaliers (51-29)
Which teams have been eliminated from postseason contention?
Western Conference:
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New Orleans Pelicans (26-54)
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Memphis Grizzlies (25-55)
Eastern Conference:
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Washington Wizards (17-62)
Seeding Possibilities
Eastern Conference Scenarios
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The Celtics can clinch the Atlantic Division title with a win
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 2026 NBA Playoffs: Clinching scenarios and standings on April 9