5 teams to watch for in the NBA Playoffs

The NBA Playoffs always feel like a different sport compared to the regular season. The games slow down, every possession carries weight, with the margin for error becoming razor-thin. It’s where reputations are built or broken, and where even the smallest moments can swing an entire series.

This year, the playoff picture is especially exciting. There’s a good mix of proven contenders who know what it takes to go deep, alongside younger teams hungry to make a statement. Some squads have been dominant all season, while others have quietly built momentum at just the right time. And as history has shown, that momentum can be just as dangerous as talent.

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What really makes the playoffs so unpredictable is how quickly things can change. A hot shooting night, a defensive adjustment, or one standout performance can flip the script entirely. Depth starts to matter more, coaching decisions come under the spotlight, and the pressure can either sharpen a team, or expose its weaknesses.

With that in mind, this list highlights five teams that feel especially worth watching. They might not all be the obvious favorites, but each one has something that could make them a serious factor—whether it’s star power, chemistry, or the ability to rise when it matters most.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 64–18, 1st in West

Oklahoma City secured the NBA’s best overall record for the 2025–26 season, finishing at 64-18. While the team’s offense was potent, ranking 5th in scoring at 119.0 points per game, their true dominance lay in their efficiency, as they led the league with a massive +11.1 point differential.

MVP-favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the attack, averaging 31.1 points and 6.6 assists. The young core remained elite, as Chet Holmgren contributed 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, while Jalen Williams matched that scoring output with 17.1 points of his own. Although the team monitored minor late-season injuries resting Gilgeous-Alexander, Holmgren, and Williams for the regular-season finale, a refreshed OKC roster remains the definitive team to beat heading into the 2026 Playoffs

2. San Antonio Spurs – 62–20, 2nd in West

San Antonio’s backcourt underwent a massive transformation this season, headlined by the blockbuster acquisition of De’Aaron Fox, who averaged 18.6 points and 6.2 assists. Supporting him was rookie phenom Stephon Castle, who exceeded expectations by averaging 16.7 points and 7.4 assists in his debut year. This duo provided the consistent playmaking that allowed Victor Wembanyama to thrive as both a scoring threat (25.0 PPG) and a defensive anchor (3.1 BPG).

Coach Gregg Popovich’s focus on health paid off, as the Spurs entered the postseason with their core intact and peak momentum following a late-season winning streak. San Antonio’s league-leading defense (111.5 rating) will be the focal point as they enter their first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers. With Wembanyama’s historic shot-blocking and Castle’s playmaking growth, the Spurs are one of the most dangerous lower seeds in the 2026 bracket.

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3. Detroit Pistons – 60–22, 1st in East

Detroit emerged as one of the league’s most improved teams, securing the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference. While they didn’t lead the league in scoring, averaging 111.4 points per game, they were powered by a breakout season from All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, who averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists. In the frontcourt, Jalen Duren remained a double-double machine, averaging 14.2 points and 11.4 rebounds, while Ausar Thompson (9.9 PPG) provided elite perimeter defense.

The Pistons faced a late-season hurdle when Cunningham sat out due to knee and hip soreness, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff remained cautious to ensure his star’s availability for the postseason. Unlike the 1st-seeded Celtics, Detroit had to fight through a crowded middle-pack to avoid the Play-In Tournament. With a healthy Cunningham returning to lead a core of Duren and Thompson, Detroit enters their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers as a formidable underdog.

4. Boston Celtics – 56–26, 2nd in East

The Boston Celtics enter the 2026 NBA Playoffs as the team to beat, securing the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed with a dominant 63-19 record. Under coach Joe Mazzulla, Boston maintained its “gold standard” defense, allowing a league-low 107.2 points per game.

The “Jaybird” duo remains the league’s most lethal pairing. Jayson Tatum led the charge with an MVP-caliber season, averaging 21.8 points and 10.0 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown provided elite two-way play with 28.7 points per game. Despite losing Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks, the Celtics’ depth shone through. Role players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard reached new heights, and Neemias Queta provided reliable interior energy off the bench. With a healthy core and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, the Celtics are the clear favorites to return to the Finals.

5. New York Knicks – 53–29, 3rd in East

The New York Knicks head into the 2026 postseason as one of the most balanced threats in the Eastern Conference. While they maintain a gritty identity, their offense has reached new heights, led by All-Star Jalen Brunson, who averaged 26 points and 3.3 assists per game.

The blockbuster acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns has paid massive dividends, with the big man providing 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds to give New York an elite inside-out game. Defensively, OG Anunoby remains the “X-factor,” contributing 16.7 points and lockdown coverage when on the floor. Though Anunoby is currently day-to-day with a late-season ankle sprain, head coach Tom Thibodeau is optimistic about having his full starting unit available.

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Conclusion

Each of these five teams combined outstanding stats and talent with good health at the season’s end. That makes the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons, Celtics and Knicks the outfits to watch once the 2026 playoffs tip off.