A complete guide to how the NBA is structured by conferences, divisions, playoffs, & play-in format
30 NBA teams divided into two conferences and six divisions with the top six in each conference qualify automatically for playoffsPlay-in tournament determines final two seeds per conferenceBest-of-seven series decide conference and league championsSixteen Australians set to feature in NBA 2025–26 season
At least 16 Australian men’s basketballers will compete for the ultimate prize in professional basketball — the National Basketball Association’s “World Championship”.
This is a detailed in-depth guide to how the NBA is structured by Eastern and Western Conferences and the divisions within each conference.
The top teams in each conference make it into the playoffs for a best-of-seven series with the two conference winners competing for the NBA Championship.
Find NBA Scores here and the NBA 2025-26 Schedule here. This is how to watch every NBA game in Australia.
National Basketball Association Structure
The NBA is split into:
2 Conferences: Eastern and Western.Each conference has three divisions.Each division has five teams.
These divisions mainly exist for scheduling, standings tiebreakers, and historical rivalries, they don’t directly determine playoff qualification, which is based on conference standings.
Eastern ConferenceAtlantic DivisionBoston CelticsBrooklyn NetsNew York KnicksPhiladelphia 76ersToronto Raptors
Geography:
Centred around the U.S. Northeast and Canada.Historic rivalries: Celtics–76ers, Knicks–Celtics.Central DivisionChicago BullsCleveland CavaliersDetroit PistonsIndiana PacersMilwaukee Bucks
Geography:
Midwest-based teams.Chicago–Detroit and Cleveland–Indiana are key rivalries.Produced multiple champions (Bulls, Pistons, Bucks).
Chicago Bulls Championship banners during the Emirates NBA Cup game on November 22, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images.Southeast DivisionAtlanta HawksCharlotte HornetsMiami HeatOrlando MagicWashington Wizards
Geography:
Geographically spread through the U.S. Southeast.Miami Heat are the most decorated franchise in this group.Western ConferenceNorthwest DivisionDenver NuggetsMinnesota TimberwolvesOklahoma City ThunderPortland Trail BlazersUtah Jazz
Geography:
Teams across mountain and plains regions.Nuggets and Thunder are recent contenders.
Oklahoma City Thunder Western Conference Champions banner before the Indiana Pacers against the Oklahoma City Thunder game during Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 5, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Photo by Morgan Givens/NBAE via Getty Images)Pacific DivisionGolden State WarriorsLos Angeles ClippersLos Angeles LakersPhoenix SunsSacramento Kings
Geography:
Heavy California presence (four of five teams).Features some of the league’s biggest brands and rivalries, Lakers vs. Warriors, Lakers vs. Clippers.Southwest DivisionDallas MavericksHouston RocketsMemphis GrizzliesNew Orleans PelicansSan Antonio Spurs
Geography:
Based in Texas and the U.S. South.Three Texas teams create natural rivalries (Mavs–Rockets–Spurs aka ‘The Texas Triangle’).NBA Playoff and Play-In System (as of 2025–26)Regular Season (82 games)Each team plays 82 games total.Opponents are mostly from within the same conference but include inter-conference games too.Divisions matter mainly for scheduling and tie-breaking, not for automatic playoff spots.Conference Standings
Teams are ranked 1–15 in their conference based on regular-season record (wins/losses), not by division.
Top 6 teams in each conference automatically enter the playoffs.Teams ranked 7–10 enter the Play-In Tournament to qualify for he playoffs.Teams ranked 11–15 willsee their seasons end with no playoffs.Tie-Breaker Rules (when teams have same record)Head-to-head recordDivision winner (if applicable)Division record (if same division)Conference recordPoint differential and other stats if still tiedPlay-In Tournament
Introduced permanently in 2021, it determines the final two playoff spots (the 7th and 8th seeds) in each conference.
Wilson basketball with SoFi Play-In Tournament signage prior to the game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images.Play-In Format:Game 1: 7th seed hosts 8th seed, the winner becomes the 7th seed.Game 2: 9th seed hosts 10th seed, the loser is eliminated.Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, the winner becomes the 8th seed.
Each conference ends up with 8 playoff teams (6 auto + 2 play-in).
The NBA Playoffs (16 Teams Total)
Each conference’s top 8 teams are seeded 1 through 8.
First Round Matchups
All series are best-of-seven. Winners advance through:
First RoundConference SemifinalsConference Finals
Each conference champion then moves on to the
The NBA FinalsEastern Conference Champion vs Western Conference ChampionBest-of-seven series to decide the NBA Champion.Home-court advantage goes to the team with the better regular-season record.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy after defeating the Indiana Pacers 103-91 in Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 22, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.