With less than two 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
Six games are scheduled for Thursday, with several key matchups and a couple of clinching scenarios to monitor throughout the evening.<\/p>\n
What are the matchups on Thursday?Playoff PictureWhich teams have clinched a playoff berth?<\/p>\n
Western Conference:<\/p>\n
Oklahoma City Thunder (60-16)<\/p>\n
San Antonio Spurs (58-18)<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Lakers (50-26)<\/p>\n
Eastern Conference:<\/p>\n
Which teams have been eliminated from postseason contention?<\/p>\n
Western Conference:<\/p>\n
New Orleans Pelicans (25-51)<\/p>\n
Memphis Grizzlies (25-51)<\/p>\n
Eastern Conference:<\/p>\n
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Washington Wizards (17-59)<\/p>\n
Western Conference Scenarios<\/p>\n
The Rockets can clinch a playoff berth with a loss by the Suns<\/p>\n
Eastern Conference Scenarios<\/p>\n
The Cavaliers can clinch a playoff berth with a win<\/p>\n