April 8, 2026Updated April 9, 2026, 10:38 p.m. ET
The NBA’s annual play-in tournament is less than a week away. We know, we’re shocked, too. However, despite the proximity to the end of the regular season, there are only a few teams currently locked into their seeds in the Eastern and Western conferences.
It’s still largely a mish-mosh of what-ifs and maybes that could shape the NBA’s postseason, with five teams in the Eastern Conference fighting it out to ensure they avoid the play-in.
Here are the current NBA standings and what the NBA postseason and play-in tournament would look like if the season ended today.
NBA Eastern Conference standings
(Through Thursday, April 9)
*- clinched conference; d- clinched division; x-clinched playoff berth
- *-Detroit Pistons: 58-22
- x-Boston Celtics: 54-26 (4 GB)
- x-New York Knicks: 52-28 (6 GB)
- x-Cleveland Cavaliers: 51-29 (7 GB)
- Toronto Raptors: 45-35 (13 GB)
- Atlanta Hawks: 45-35 (13 GB)
- Orlando Magic: 44-36 (14 GB)
- Philadelphia 76ers: 43-37 (15 GB)
- Charlotte Hornets: 43-37 (15 GB)
- Miami Heat: 41-39 (17 GB)
The Bucks, Bulls, Nets, Pacers and Wizards have been eliminated from postseason contention.
NBA Western Conference standings
(Through Wednesday, April 8)
*- clinched conference; d- clinched division; x-clinched playoff berth
- *-Oklahoma City Thunder: 64-16
- d-San Antonio Spurs: 61-19 (3 GB)
- x-Denver Nuggets: 52-28 (12 GB)
- d-Los Angeles Lakers: 50-29 (13.5 GB)
- x-Houston Rockets: 50-29 (13.5 GB)
- x-Minnesota Timberwolves: 47-33 (17 GB)
- Phoenix Suns: 44-36 (20 GB)
- Los Angeles Clippers: 41-39 (23 GB)
- Portland Trail Blazers: 40-40 (24 GB)
- Golden State Warriors: 37-42 (26.5 GB)
The Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings and Jazz have been eliminated from postseason contention.
NBA playoffs bracket
(Through Thursday, April 9)
Eastern Conference
- (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors
- (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks
- (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
Western Conference
- (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets
- (3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
- (2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Play-In Winner
NBA Play-In Tournament
(Through Thursday, April 9)
Eastern Conference
- (7) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
- (9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (10) Miami Heat
Western Conference
- (7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) Los Angeles Clippers
- (9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors
When do the NBA playoffs begin?
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins Tuesday, April 14 and finishes Friday, April 17.
The NBA playoffs begin the very next day, Saturday, April 18, featuring eight teams in each conference after two teams from both the East and West are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Wednesday, June 3.
Which upcoming games could impact the postseason standings?
With just five days left in the regular season, every game matters, but there are a few games that could have serious impact on the end-of-season standings.
Wednesday, April 8
- Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
- Oklahoma City Thunder at LA Clippers
- Thunder can clinch top seed with win or Spurs loss
Thursday, April 9
- Miami Heat at Toronto Raptors
- Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
Friday, April 10
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks
- Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks
- Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers
Sunday, April 12
- Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
- Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers
- Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs