NBA play-in and first-round playoff predictions from our expert staff

The best time of the NBA season has finally arrived.

This week, we'll sort out the NBA play-in tournament and who gets the right to face the top two seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. Then, starting this weekend, the actual 2026 NBA playoffs will begin with the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder trying to defend their title against expected comers like the Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks. Or, even, perhaps a surprise down the line.

Rest assured, this postseason should not be short on drama.

Below, you will find our expert predictions on who we expect to advance through the play-in and who we foresee winning in the ensuing first round of this NBA season's playoffs.

Here's a look at our respective crystal balls for the 2026 NBA postseason:

Play-in Tournament

Miami Heat (10) at Charlotte Hornets (9): East No. 9 vs. No. 10 game

Nov 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) looks on in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Hornets

I don't think the Hornets make a deep playoff run by any means, but they've been one of the NBA's best teams since January. It would all feel like a giant waste of time if they couldn't at least get through the play-in. They're also definitely the most serious squad of the East play-in teams, which, yes, feels really weird to say out loud.

Bryan Kalbrosky: Hornets

Prince Grimes: Hornets

Of the eight play-in teams, I give Charlotte the best chance to advance and actually make noise in the playoffs. I'm not picking them to pull off the 1-8 upset over Detroit, but that would be a fascinating series between two of the hottest teams in the NBA, with recent beef to boot.

Portland Trail Blazers (8) at Phoenix Suns (7): West No. 7 seed game

Dec 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Suns

Bryan Kalbrosky: Suns

Prince Grimes: Trail Blazers

Orlando Magic (8) at Philadelphia 76ers (7): East No. 7 seed game

Mar 24, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: 76ers

Bryan Kalbrosky: Magic

Prince Grimes: Magic

Golden State Warriors (10) at L.A. Clippers (9): West No. 9 vs. No. 10 game

Feb 11, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts to his winning basket against the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Clippers

Bryan Kalbrosky: Clippers

Prince Grimes: Clippers

East and West No. 8 seed games

Robert Zeglinski: Hornets over Magic; Clippers over Trail Blazers

Bryan Kalbrosky: Hornets over 76ers; Clippers over Trail Blazers

In the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers get to keep their lottery pick rather than trade it to the Chicago Bulls if they do not advance to the playoffs. The Clippers, meanwhile, owe their pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder no matter what happens in the play-in tournament. It is better for them if it is not a lottery pick that is traded out.

Prince Grimes: Hornets over 76ers; Clippers over Suns

Eastern Conference First Round

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Charlotte Hornets

Oct 9, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) gestures to teammate against Milwaukee Bucks forward Amir Coffey (17) in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Pistons in 5

Bryan Kalbrosky: Pistons in 5

Prince Grimes: Pistons in 6

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers/Orlando Magic

Mar 14, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during warmups before a game against the Washington Wizards at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Celtics in 5 over 76ers

Bryan Kalbrosky: Celtics in 5 over 76ers

Prince Grimes: Celtics in 5 over Magic

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks celebrates a three-point basket against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 16, 2025 in New York City.

Robert Zeglinski: Knicks in 6

Bryan Kalbrosky: Knicks in 5

Prince Grimes: Knicks in 6

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors

May 6, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game two of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Cavaliers in 6

Bryan Kalbrosky: Cavaliers in 6

Prince Grimes: Cavaliers in 5

Western Conference First Round

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Portland Trail Blazers/L.A. Clippers

Jan 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) gestures to teammates in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Thunder in 4 over Trail Blazers

Bryan Kalbrosky: Thunder in 4 over Clippers

Prince Grimes: Thunder in 4 over Clippers

(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Phoenix Suns

Victor Wembanyama isn't shy about expressing his desires.

Robert Zeglinski: Spurs in 6 over Suns

Bryan Kalbrosky: Spurs in 4 over Suns

What will Victor Wembanyama do in his first playoff appearance? The sky is truly the limit when the lights are the brightest, and he seems destined for greatness in this postseason and beyond.

Prince Grimes: Spurs in 4 over Trail Blazers

(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

Mar 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) celebrates with forward Aaron Gordon (32) and center Nikola Jokic (15) against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Nuggets in 5

Bryan Kalbrosky: Nuggets in 5

Prince Grimes: Nuggets in 6

The Wolves going from back-to-back WCFs to potential first-round elimination is something worth examining and asking questions about where they go from here. Because drastic changes around Anthony Edwards are probably necessary in order to get this team past the top-end talent in the West.

(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets

Feb 25, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) celebrates with center Alperen Sengun (28) after a play during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Robert Zeglinski: Rockets in 6

The basketball itself will probably be mid a lot of the time, but there is something intriguing about Lakers-Rockets. With the Lakers' Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves injuries, this series is effectively late-stage LeBron James and a bunch of role players and late-stage Kevin Durant and (mostly) a bunch of role players. Which, huh. We couldn't get any LeBron-Steph Curry this year, so I hope this series is a worthy fallback.

Bryan Kalbrosky: Rockets in 5

Prince Grimes: Rockets in 6

This article originally appeared on For The Win: NBA play-in and first-round expert predictions: Who advances in 2026?