The 2025-2026 NBA regular season has concluded, setting the top six seeds for the playoffs. The Oklahoma City Thunder enter as the top-ranked team, aiming for a second consecutive championship, with play-in tournaments starting soon.
The 2025-2026 NBA regular season has ended. The Eastern and Western Conferencesā top six seeds are set with the conferenceās play in tournaments starting on Tuesday. The play in tournament games will be worth watching, as anything can happen. Here are the rankings for each of the 2026 NBA playoff teams.
MORE: NBA playoff bracket set ahead of play-in tournament starting on Tuesday, April 14
The Thunder are ready to start the journey to a second consecutive NBA championship. The team returns to the playoffs and enters the playoffs as the leagueās top-ranked team. This season, Oklahoma City finished 5th in offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive efficiency. In round one, they will face the Western Conferenceās eighth seed.
The Spurs finished the regular season with the second-most wins in the NBA. They kept superstar Victor Wembanyama healthy throughout the season, and this was the sole difference maker compared to previous seasons. San Antonio ended the season 3rd in offensive efficiency and 8th in defensive efficiency. They will begin the first round of the playoffs against the Western Conferenceās seventh seed (PHO/POR).
Detroit was unstoppable throughout the regular season. Cade Cunningham has blossomed into a superstar and led the team. When Cade Cunningham missed time, due to a collapsed lung, from March 17th to April 7th, the team didnāt slow down. Cunningham returned on April 8th and played in three games as the season ended. The Pistons need their start at full health to make a deep run. Detroitās first-round matchup will be against the Eastern Conferenceās eighth seed.
No Taum, no problem. Head coach Joe Mazzulla got the best from his roster throughout the season. They were one of the leagueās top teams throughout the regular season. When Tatum returned in early March, he gave the team an immediate boost. In the first round, the Celtics will face the Eastern Conferenceās seventh seed (PHI/ORL).
The veteran squad did what they needed to do. They did their best to keep the roster healthy and won games in crunch time. The Nuggets ended the regular season with 12 consecutive victories. This season, Denver ranked 1st in offensive efficiency. However, the defense was 21st in defensive efficiency, and the team must improve its defense in the playoffs. Denver will face Minnesota in the first round.
Defense once again led New York to an outstanding season. The Knicks are one of the leagueās top defensive teams and proved to be a difficult matchup for any opponent. As the playoffs begin, New York will be aiming for a second consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. This season, the Knicks ranked 10th in offensive efficiency and 5th in defensive efficiency. They will face Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs.
The Lakers played great basketball throughout the regular season. They faced adversity but persevered when it mattered most. Luka Doncic suffered a hamstring injury on April 2nd and missed the rest of the regular season. Heās set to be re-evaluated on Tuesday, and Los Angeles needs Doncic if they want a chance to reach the Western Conference Finals. Los Angeles faces Houston in the first round.
Kevin Durant flourished in his first season, 18th overall, with Houston. He led the Rockets in points per game and offensive efficiency. The team will rely on its veteran superstar in the playoffs. This season, Houston ranked 18th in offensive efficiency and 4th in defensive efficiency. The Rockets will face off with the Lakers in the first round.
Cleveland searched for consistency when the season started. However, once the team hit its stride, they were tough the rest of the way. This season, Cleveland ranked 4th in offensive efficiency and 15th in defensive efficiency. The Cavaliers must see increased defensive production in the playoffs. In round one, the Cavaliers will meet the Raptors.
Minnesota held its own throughout the regular season. When superstar Anthony Edwards dealt with a knee injury, the team was careful with how they handled his playing time. They monitored his usage in March as well as April. Minnesota was 7th in offensive efficiency and 12th in defensive efficiency. The team has its work cut out for them in a round one matchup with Denver.
The team kept its core healthy and was one of the best stories of the regular season. After finishing last season 30-52, the Raptors improved to 46-36. They ended the season 21st in offensive efficiency and 9th in defensive efficiency. Toronto faces Cleveland in the first round.
Atlanta moved Trae Young at the trade deadline and went on a great run. After trading Young on January 9th, the Hawks went 28-15. They ended the season 6th in offensive efficiency and 18th in defensive efficiency. Atlanta faces New York in the first round of the playoffs.
Phoenix hovered around sixth place in the Western Conference throughout the season. Unfortunately, they never found a way to move out of seventh place. During the regular season, the defense ranked 6th in efficiency and was the teamās calling card over its 26thāranked offense. If they survive the play-in tournament, they will face San Antonio.
In the previous two seasons, Orlando ranked 1st and 5th in defensive efficiency. This season, the defense slipped to 13th. However, the Magicās ability to keep the roster healthy saw their offensive efficiency jump to 15th after finishing 28th (2024-2025) and 24th (2023-2024) in the previous two seasons. Orlandoās defense must improve, as they will face Boston if they survive the play-in tournament.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid
Philadelphia will face Orlando in the playoff tournament and must be at its best. The 76ers dealt with injuries throughout the season and were without Paul George for 25 games. Joel Embiid failed to play 40 games for a third consecutive season and is dealing with an abdominal injury. If they lose to Orlando on Wednesday, it may be time to clean the roster and build around Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
Charlotte is the most interesting team heading into the playoffs. After playing inconsistent basketball, the team righted the ship starting on January 22nd. From January 22nd until the end of the regular season, the Hornets went 28-10. They ended the regular season two games out of the Eastern Conferenceās sixth seed. They will be a favorite to survive the play-in tournament.
Theyāre in the playoffs in the tournament, but head coach Erik Spoelstra has been one of the gameās best at getting the most out of his rosters. Miami finished the regular season 2nd in offensive efficiency and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
The Clippers got hot to end the regular season, but their roster lacks the necessary depth to make a deep playoff run. They face Golden State on Wednesday in the Western Conference playoff tournament. Los Angeles finished the regular season 24th in offensive efficiency and 10th in defensive efficiency.
This young Portland team is playing with house money. They find ways to win, but the roster isnāt overwhelming. They finished the regular season 17th in offensive efficiency and 16th in defensive efficiency. If, and itās a big if, they were to survive the play-in tournament, they would face off against the Spurs in the first round.
This may be it for the Warriors roster, led by Steve Kerr, that features Steph Curry and Draymond Green. The early-season loss of Jimmy Butler was devastating, and the front office was unable to find an answer to replace his production. The team faces the Clippers on Wednesday and will need a miracle to pull off a victory.
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The top-ranked team in the 2026 NBA playoffs is the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by the San Antonio Spurs.
The 2026 NBA play-in tournaments start on Tuesday, April 14.
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished 5th in offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive efficiency during the 2025-2026 season.
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