The 2026 NBA playoffs began on April 17, with the Oklahoma City Thunder favored to win again. Experts predict the Nuggets and Celtics as strong contenders for the title.
Key points
2026 NBA playoffs began on April 17
Oklahoma City Thunder favored to repeat as champions
Experts predict Nuggets and Celtics as strong contenders
Over half of the 30 teams made the playoffs
NBA Draft Lottery set for May 10
Oklahoma City ThunderDenver NuggetsBoston Celtics
The 2026 NBA playoffs tipped off Saturday, April 17, with the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder the heavy favorite to repeat.
Just more than half of the league’s 30 teams made the playoffs, which leaves 14 sitting home during postseason play and looking ahead to the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery drawing on May 10.
But fans from those states not represented in this year’s playoffs still have a rooting interest in someone … but who?
Well, once again, the good folks at BetOnline have gathered data to give us the answer for all 50 states.
Before we get to the breakdown, here are a couple of nuggets unearthed by the site’s geotagged X data. The following info was gathered by tracking tweets, hashtags, and direct keyword phrases about who fans think will win the 2026 NBA title.
70% of the states think a team from the West will win the NBA title
Pretty safe and wise call by basketball fans. Talent-wise, the East’s top teams (Pistons, T-Wolves) simply aren’t as good as the West’s best.
So if the Thunder don’t repeat, it will likely be the Spurs or the Nuggets to win it all.
That’s the same call from me to you.
Now, the picks by state (map below):
San Antonio Spurs (16)
Fans of all ages believe the young Spurs have the talent to take down the reigning champion Thunder.
I say they are a year away. San Antonio: Your 2027 NBA champions!
States picking the Spurs: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia
Oklahoma City Thunder (12)
NBA: Teams with highest championship chances entering February
NBA: Teams with highest championship chances entering February
States picking the Thunder: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington
They’ll be smiling again in Oklahoma City this offseason after winning a second straight title.
Boston Celtics (9)
States picking the Celtics: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Boston will try to add to its NBA record of championships by claiming its 19th.
I think the Celtics get past the Pistons or Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, though, they’ll face one of the West’s three terrific teams: Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Denver. Any one of those teams will beat Boston in the NBA Finals.
Denver Nuggets (4)
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
States picking the Nuggets: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming
Denver’s peak is however high Nikola Jokic can lead them. He’s the league MVP and should be solid in the playoffs, but the path to the Finals is so tough that most signs point to a second-round exit against San Antonio.
Cleveland Cavaliers (3)
States picking the Cavs:Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia
If Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell can get hot and stay that way throughout the postseason, the preseason favorite to win the East could make the Finals.
