March 20, 2026, 12:23 p.m. ET
With less than four weeks left to play 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.
With 11-14 games remaining on the schedule, 25 teams remain in contention to qualify for the postseason, via either a playoff berth or a spot in the play-in tournament. The action is set to heat up as teams battle for playoff positioning down the stretch.
Six games are scheduled for Friday, with several key matchups in the standings and an Eastern Conference clinching scenario to monitor throughout the evening.
What are the matchups on Friday?Updated StandingsWhich teams have clinched a playoff berth?
Western Conference:
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Oklahoma City Thunder (55-15)San Antonio Spurs (52-18)Which teams have been eliminated from postseason contention?
Eastern Conference:
Brooklyn Nets (17-52)Washington Wizards (16-53)Indiana Pacers (15-55)
Western Conference:
Utah Jazz (21-49)Sacramento Kings (18-53)Eastern Conference Scenarios for FridayThe Pistons can clinch a playoff berth with a win