With one week remaining 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. The action is set to heat up as teams battle for positioning in the standings down the stretch.
Eleven games are scheduled for Sunday in the NBA, with several key matchups and a couple of Western Conference clinching scenarios to monitor throughout the evening.
What are the matchups on Sunday?
Playoff Picture
Which teams have clinched a playoff berth?
Western Conference:
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Oklahoma City Thunder (61-16)
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San Antonio Spurs (59-19)
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Los Angeles Lakers (50-27)
Eastern Conference:
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Cleveland Cavaliers (48-29)
Which teams have been eliminated from postseason contention?
Western Conference:
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Memphis Grizzlies (25-52)
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New Orleans Pelicans (25-53)
Eastern Conference:
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Washington Wizards (17-60)
Western Conference Scenarios
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The Timberwolves can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a loss by the Suns
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The Suns are locked into the play-in tournament with a loss and a win by the Timberwolves
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: 2026 NBA Playoffs: Clinching scenarios and standings on April 5