The 2026 NBA postseason is scheduled to start on Saturday, April 18, six days after the regular season ends. The play-in tournament to determine the final two spots in each conference will take place from April 14 to April 17.
Here’s the current NBA playoff bracket if the season ended today:
NBA Playoff Bracket: Eastern Conference
NBA Playoff Bracket: Western Conference
When do the NBA Playoffs Begin?
The 2026 NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 18.
The 2025-26 regular season ends on Sunday, April 12.
How Many Teams Make the NBA Playoffs?
A total of 16 teams make the NBA playoffs, featuring eight from each conference.
The final two spots in each conference are determined by the play-in tournament, which takes place the week between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
How Does the Play-In Tournament Work?
The current play-in tournament has been in place since 2021 to reduce tanking, as more teams have a chance to make the playoffs.
The team that finishes the regular season as the No. 7 seed in its conference will host the No. 8 seed. The winner will claim the No. 7 seed and face the No. 2 seed in Round 1, while the loser will get one more opportunity to notch a postseason berth.
The loser of the 7-8 matchup will host the winner of the 9-10 play-in tournament game. That will be a winner-take-all matchup, with the victorious squad earning the No. 8 seed and a Round 1 series against the No. 1 team in the conference.
How Many Rounds in the NBA Playoffs?
There are four rounds in the NBA playoffs: the first round, the conference semifinals, the conference finals, and the NBA Finals.
A best-of-seven series determines the winner of each round.
