NBA Play-In Tournament Predictions 2026: Picks for Every Game

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The 2025-26 NBA regular season has come to a close, leading us to a Play-In Tournament field that was largely determined well before the 82nd game of the season. Now that the matchups are set, it’s time to predict how the matchups will unfold.

Let’s dive into our 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Predictions.

(8) Portland Trail Blazers vs (7) Phoenix Suns

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The Phoenix Suns went 2-1 in their head-to-head meetings against the Portland Trail Blazers during the regular season, posting a +7 point differential. It is worth noting, however, that Devin Booker didn’t play in either of the two February matchups and Deni Avdija played just 1 minute in the two contests.

One key in this matchup will be what Phoenix gets out of Devin Booker. He scored 30-plus points in 24 regular-season games, but the Suns posted just a .500 record when it happened. Portland’s physicality could also pose a real problem for Phoenix, especially since so many of its key players are banged-up. In a tight game, we’re picking the Trail Blazers to pull off the surprise on the road.

• Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers 121, Phoenix Suns 118

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(10) Golden State Warriors vs (9) Los Angeles Clippers

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An NBA Play-In Tournament battle between Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard, that’s a recipe for greatness. The stakes are even higher since this is an elimination game, with the loser’s season coming to an end and the winner battling for the No. 8 seed against the loser of the first play-in game.

Ordinarily, it’s not wise to pick against Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a game of this magnitude. However, what Kawhi Leonard has done for the Los Angeles Clippers as of late is absurd. In his final 35 games, Leonard averaged 27.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 37.4 percent from the perimeter and 51.1 percent from the field. Let’s also remember that he’s averaged 27.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game in the playoffs since 2015. Since Golden State isn’t well-equipped to stop Los Angeles where it’s most vulnerable, Leonard can single-handedly win this game.

• Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers 114, Golden State Warriors 108

(10) Los Angeles Clippers vs (7) Phoenix Suns

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It’s worth revisiting the turnaround by the Clippers this season. Back on Dec. 18, the team lost by 21 points to the Oklahoma City Thunder to fall to 6-21. They finished the season winning 36of their last 55 games, a .655 winning percentage that puts them in the same company as the likes of the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. That’s how dominant Leonard has been. It will continue on the road in Phoenix, where he’ll take out Devin Booker and the Suns to clinch the Clippers’ spot as the No. 8 seed.

• Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers 110, Phoenix Suns 103

(8) Orlando Magic vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers

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The Philadelphia 76ers will be without Joel Embiid in this one, which certainly makes this matchup against the Orlando Magic more intriguing. With that said, Philadelphia does have the home-court advantage and it’s not like Tyrese Maxey (28.3 PPG and 6.6 APG) isn’t capable of carrying the 76ers to the win. Neither of these teams is all that impressive, demonstrated by the fact that the 76ers (18-33) and Magic (23-30) both had awful records against winning teams. What Orlando does bring to the table is more experience playing in close games, and this team ended its season winning five of its last six. We see the momentum continuing on Wednesday, with Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero overcoming a scoring clinic by Maxey.

• Prediction: Orlando Magic 110, Philadelphia 76ers 105

(10) Miami Heat vs (9) Charlotte Hornets

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Not many anticipated the Charlotte Hornets would be the No. 9 seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament this year, but big improvements from Brandon Miller paired with the stellar play of rookie Kn Knueppel now have them on the doorstep of making it to the first round. As for the Miami Heat, they got cold down the stretch with a 3-10 record before two cheap wins to close out the regular season. We see too many scoring threats for Miami to handle, giving Charlotte’s fans the experience of seeing the Hornets win a playoff game at home.

• Prediction: Charlotte Hornets 122, Miami Heat 115

(9) Charlotte Hornets vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers

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LaMelo Ball will get his moment in the NBA Play-In Tournament, coming through with a strong performance to send the Hornets to a first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Tyrese Maxey will do everything he can for Philadelphia, combining for 70-plus points in these two games. It will just not be enough, with Embiid’s appendectomy proving to be the reason why the 76ers suffer another early playoff exit.

• Prediction: Charlotte Hornets 114, Philadelphia 76ers 110

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