The NBA playoffs begin this weekend, with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder facing off after finishing the regular season with a 64-18 record. The Detroit Pistons, also top-seeded in the East, improved significantly with a 60-22 record.
On the other side of the playoff bracket, the top-seeded Detroit Pistons (60-22) have been one of the East's biggest success stories, improving their win total by an astounding 16 games from last season.
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
1 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards' Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
3 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
4 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets' Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns' Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.
6 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.
7 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks' OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
8 / 8
Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.
NBA playoffs first round schedule
All times Eastern
Saturday, April 18
Game 1: Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers, 1 p.m. | Prime Video
Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets, 3:30 p.m. | Prime Video
Game 1: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, 6 p.m. | Prime Video
Game 1: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m. | ABC
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), shown here during a March 15, 2026 game, is trying to recover from a collapsed lung in time for the start of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2), shown here during a March 15, 2026 game, is trying to recover from a collapsed lung in time for the start of the 2026 NBA playoffs.
Sunday, April 19
Game 1: Eastern Conf. No. 7 seed at Boston Celtics, 1 p.m. | ABC
What is the Oklahoma City Thunder's record in the 2026 NBA regular season?
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished the 2026 NBA regular season with a league-best record of 64-18.
How many games did the Detroit Pistons improve from last season?
The Detroit Pistons improved their win total by 16 games from the previous season.
When do the NBA playoffs start in 2026?
The NBA playoffs are set to begin this weekend.
Who is the reigning MVP leading the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning MVP leading the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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