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NBA Playoffs: Play-In Tournament Kicks Off This Week!
13 Apr
Summary
- NBA playoffs begin April 18, with first-round matchups to be set.
- Western Conference seeding sees Spurs, Thunder at the top.
- Eastern Conference sees tight races for top-six playoff spot.
The 2026 NBA regular season concludes this Sunday, with all teams playing their final games. This final day will determine crucial playoff seeding, including two first-round series matchups (3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5) in each conference, along with the initial Play-In Tournament games. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs have secured the top two seeds. The Houston Rockets are confirmed as the fifth seed, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be the sixth seed. The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are set to participate in the Play-In Tournament, occupying the seventh and tenth seeds, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference sees the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat locked into the ninth and tenth Play-In positions, though their order may still change. A tight competition is underway for seeds five through ten, with significant implications on Sunday's outcomes. The Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers are actively competing for the final guaranteed top-six playoff spot, avoiding the Play-In Tournament. The Play-In Tournament is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, running through Friday, after which the main playoff bracket commences on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
