{"id":709101,"date":"2026-04-12T16:36:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/709101\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:36:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:36:44","slug":"final-day-15-games-10-seeds-to-fill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/709101\/","title":{"rendered":"Final day. 15 games. 10 seeds to fill."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks face the Miami Heat with playoff seeding on the line Sunday night.<\/p>\n

81 games in.<\/p>\n

10 postseason seeds still to be decided, including the third seed out West and last guaranteed Playoff spot in the East.<\/p>\n

With all 30 teams in action to close up the regular season, read on for all the stakes and scenarios of Sunday\u2019s finale.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

April 12, 2026<\/p>\n

What\u2019s At Stake: Sunday\u2019s 15-game slate will decide the remaining half of the postseason bracket<\/p>\n

Three Teams, One Seed: One final game for\u00a0the Raptors, Magic and Sixers to grab the last guaranteed Playoff spot<\/p>\n

East\u2019s Ending: Hawks, Hornets and Heat can all shift seeds Sunday<\/p>\n

Last Stand Out West:\u00a0Lakers, Nuggets both have eyes on 3-seed on final day<\/p>\n

Rest Of The West: 8th seed up for grabs between Blazers & Clippers, while Flagg finishes rookie campaign<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

One final full slate\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Sunday<\/p>\n

All 30 teams are in action on the season\u2019s final day, featuring an ESPN doubleheader with the Magic visiting the Celtics (6 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>), followed by the Spurs hosting the Nuggets (8:30 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

After today, the postseason begins<\/a> with the SoFi Play-In Tournament, Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April 17. The First Round of the NBA Playoffs begins Saturday, April 18.<\/p>\n

1. SUNDAY\u2019S STAKES: 10 SEEDS STILL TO BE SOLIDIFIED TODAY<\/p>\n

The final 15 games of the regular season will determine 10 of the 20 postseason seeds.<\/p>\n

\"Playoff<\/p>\n

Half the field\u2019s seedings could change hands on Sunday. Here\u2019s a breakdown of each team\u2019s scenarios.<\/p>\n

Eastern Conference:<\/p>\n

Locked-In Seeds: No. 1 Pistons, No. 2 Celtics, No. 3 Knicks, No. 4 Celtics
\nNo. 5 Hawks enter Sunday with a chance to finish either No. 5 or No. 6
\nNo. 6 Raptors enter Sunday with a chance to finish No. 5-8
\nNo. 7 Magic & No. 8 Sixers: Each enter Sunday with a chance to finish No. 6-8
\nNo. 9 Hornets & No. 10 Heat: Each enter Sunday with a chance to finish No. 9 or No. 10<\/p>\n

\"East<\/p>\n

Western Conference:<\/p>\n

Locked-In Seeds: No. 1 Thunder, No. 2 Spurs, No. 5 Rockets, No. 6 Wolves, No. 7 Suns, No. 10 Warriors
\nNo. 3 Nuggets & No. 4 Lakers: Each enter Sunday with a chance to finish No. 3 or No. 4
\nNo. 8 Blazers & No. 9 Clippers: Each enter Sunday with a chance to finish No. 8 or No. 9<\/p>\n

\"West<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a visual index of which teams can finish at each seed:<\/p>\n

\"Seeding<\/p>\n

2. THREE-FOR-ONE: FINAL GAME DECIDES FATES OF RAPTORS, MAGIC & SIXERS\u00a0
\n\"Brandon<\/p>\n

NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Three postseason teams.<\/p>\n

One Playoff spot.<\/p>\n

The most eventful seeding battle of this Playoff Picture goes down at 6 ET today, with the Raptors, Magic and Sixers all on-court. Here\u2019s who has an edge:<\/p>\n

Nets at No. 6 Raptors (League Pass): Toronto is the only team in this scenario controlling its own destiny, with the added benefit of home court advantage.<\/p>\n

Win & In: Toronto\u2019s easiest path to the Playoffs is straightforward, as the Raptors can clinch their first Playoff berth since 2021-22 by defeating the Nets
\nDinos\u2019 All-Star Duo: Two-time All-Star forwards Brandon Ingram (21.4 ppg) and Scottie Barnes (7.4 rpg) \u2013 selected as teammates for the first time this year \u2013\u00a0have supported Toronto\u2019s two-way success this season (top-5 defense, 112.2)<\/p>\n

\"Desmond<\/p>\n

Brian Babineau\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

No. 7 Magic at No. 2 Celtics (ESPN): A sixth straight win and a Raptors loss would guarantee the Magic\u2019s third consecutive Playoff appearance.<\/p>\n

But unlike Toronto and Philly, Orlando has to do it on the road, in an arena they haven\u2019t won in since 2022.<\/p>\n

Orlando\u2019s Outlook: Paolo Banchero (22.2 ppg) and new addition Desmond Bane (20.2 ppg) have paced the offense, while Franz Wagner (ankle) is getting healthy at the right time, playing in five of six April games<\/p>\n

Standing in Orlando\u2019s way is a Boston squad that\u2019s taken two of three head-to-head matchups this season, all back in November.<\/p>\n

\"Tyrese<\/p>\n

Mitchell Leff\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bucks at No. 8 Sixers (League Pass): Philly\u2019s path to a Playoff seed is the most uphill, needing a win and losses from both the Raptors and Magic Sunday. Working in the Sixers\u2019 favor is their 3-0 record against the Bucks this season.<\/p>\n

Max Scoring: Tyrese Maxey (28.4 ppg) has kept his name among the league\u2019s top-5 scorers for a majority of the season, while also getting it done defensively (1.9 stl, T-3rd)
\nPG\u2019s Return: Paul George has also been a bright spot for Philly since returning from suspension, averaging 22.1 ppg in nine games<\/p>\n

3. EAST\u2019S ENDING: HAWKS, HORNETS & HEAT ALL IN FLUX SUNDAY
\n\"Jalen<\/p>\n

Adam Hagy\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how the other six East postseason teams close out the regular season \u2014 all tipping at 6 ET on League Pass \u2014 with three still fighting to determine their seeds.<\/p>\n

No. 5 Hawks at No. 10 Heat: Atlanta is locked into the Playoffs for the first time in four years, but its seed and First Round opponent is still up in the air.<\/p>\n

Where To? A win would match the 5-seed Hawks up with the 4-seed Cavs again, a team they\u2019ve seen twice in the final week of the season. A loss could send them to New York as the 6-seed
\nJJ & NAW: Atlanta\u2019s 17-4 stretch run has been fueled by Jalen Johnson\u2019s rise as a triple-double threat and Nickeil Alexander-Walker\u2019s career-high 20.8 ppg (+11.4 ppg from last season)
\nSouth Beach Switch? The Heat will face the Hornets in the East Play-In Tournament\u2019s 9\/10 game, and still have a chance to host that showdown with a win and a Charlotte loss today<\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

Kenneth Richmond\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

No. 9 Hornets at No. 3 Knicks: The Hornets can secure the 9-seed and hosting duties in their Play-In matchup with a win today at MSG.<\/p>\n

Buzzing Back: Charlotte has gone 32-16 since Jan. 1 after an 11-22 start, earning its first season over .500 since 2021-22. A win today would clinch the franchise\u2019s best record (44-38) since 2015-16
\nNY\u2019s Moment: Led by Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns, Mike Brown\u2019s clutch Knicks (fewest clutch losses in the East) are eager to take their next step to New York\u2019s first Finals appearance since 1998-99<\/p>\n

No. 1 Pistons at Pacers: East-leading Detroit needs one more victory to secure its first 60-win season in 20 years.<\/p>\n

Resilience & Rise: Detroit has returned to full strength with its engine, Cade Cunningham, back from a collapsed lung, and Jalen Duren capping his breakout All-Star season anchoring the NBA\u2019s 2nd-best defense (108.8)<\/p>\n

Wizards at No. 4 Cavaliers: Cleveland returns to the Playoffs with home court advantage for the fourth straight season.<\/p>\n

This time around, the Cavs lead with the dynamic duo of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Cleveland is tied for the league\u2019s 5th-best record (20-9) since Harden\u2019s Feb. 7 arrival<\/p>\n

4. WEST\u2019S LAST STAND: NUGGETS, LAKERS SETTLE 3-SEED ON FINAL DAY
\n\"Jamal<\/p>\n

Sean M. Haffey + Bart Young\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

No. 3 Nuggets at No. 2 Spurs (8:30 ET, ESPN): Denver will try to close the regular season with a 12th straight win to clinch the 3-seed, against a 2-seed Spurs team its beaten twice in the last month (2-1 overall).<\/p>\n

Denver\u2019s Duo: Nikola Joki\u0107 is fueling the longest win streak of his Nuggets career, finishing the season as the league-leader in rebounds (12.9) and assists (10.9)
\nFrench Renaissance: Victor Wembanyama\u2019s 2025-26 Spurs (62-19) are the first team to go from 60+ losses to 60+ wins in a two-year span<\/p>\n

Jazz at No. 4 Lakers (8:30 ET, League Pass): To move from 4th to 3rd on the season\u2019s final day, LeBron James and the Lakers will need a third consecutive win and to get some help in San Antonio.<\/p>\n

41-year-old James is averaging 28.0 ppg, 7.7 rpb and 12.7 apg in his last 3 games (2-1), the first player age 40 or older with such numbers over a three-game span
\nFinal Run\u2019s R\u00e9sum\u00e9: L.A.\u2019s earned two straight W\u2019s against West Play-In teams in the Warriors and Suns to claim home court advantage, and goes for a season sweep of Utah today<\/p>\n

5. REST OF WEST: BLAZERS & CLIPS SORT OUT FINAL SPOT, FLAGG\u2019S ROOKIE FINISH
\n\"Deni<\/p>\n

Cameron Browne\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Blazers hold the final puzzle piece of the 2026 Playoff Picture.<\/p>\n

Seven remaining West postseason teams finish their regular seasons on League Pass during tonight\u2019s 8:30 ET wave of games, with one seed left to sort.<\/p>\n

Kings at No. 8 Blazers: After defeating their direct competition for the 8-seed Friday in the Clippers, the Blazers need one more win to clinch it, hosting a Kings team they\u2019ve gone 3-0 against.<\/p>\n

No. 10 Warriors at No. 9 Clippers: Facing the Dubs squad who they currently line up with in the 9\/10 Play-In game, a Clips win and a Blazers loss would send LA to Phoenix for the 7\/8 Play-In.<\/p>\n

Klaw\u2019s Mark: Kawhi Leonard can put the final touches on a career year (27.9 ppg), as the Clippers look to complete the largest single-season turnaround in NBA history (6-21 to 42-40)<\/p>\n

\"Kawhi<\/p>\n

Ryan Sun\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

No. 7 Suns at No. 1 Thunder: The top team in the West for the third straight year, OKC seeks its second consecutive 65+ win season.<\/p>\n

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (out today) has secured his fourth straight season of 30+ ppg on 50 FG% or better, the first such streak since Michael Jordan, while Chet Holmgren anchored the league\u2019s top defense (106.1) for the second consecutive season
\nDestination, Desert: The Suns await an opponent for the 7\/8 Play-In game they\u2019ll host, with Devin Booker netting 30+ points in five of his last six games<\/p>\n

Grizzlies at No. 5 Rockets: Kevin Durant and Houston have won eight of their last 10 games to lock up 5th in the West, with Amen Thompson coming off a career-high 41-point outing.<\/p>\n

Pelicans at No. 6 Wolves: Houston\u2019s two losses in the last 10 games have both come at the hands of the 6-seed Wolves, led by career-best numbers from Anthony Edwards (28.8 ppg), while also showcasing their depth during Ant\u2019s recent knee injury.<\/p>\n

\"Cooper<\/p>\n

Juan Ocampo\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Bulls at Mavericks: Cooper Flagg (1,463 pts, 462 reb, 315 ast, 83 stl) puts the finishing touches on a historic rookie season, hosting the Bulls while looking to join Michael Jordan as the only rookies since 1973-74 to lead their teams in total points, rebounds, assists and steals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks face the Miami Heat with playoff seeding on the line Sunday night.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":709102,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3778],"tags":[19484,88604,208,7,225,144,185,295,189,3881,6,86761],"class_list":{"0":"post-709101","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-miami-heat","8":"tag-19484","9":"tag-april-12","10":"tag-atlanta-hawks","11":"tag-basketball","12":"tag-cooper-flagg","13":"tag-heat","14":"tag-lebron-james","15":"tag-miami","16":"tag-miami-heat","17":"tag-miamiheat","18":"tag-nba","19":"tag-starting-5-newsletter"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/116392716864569878","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/709101","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=709101"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/709101\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/709102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=709101"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=709101"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=709101"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}