VikingsTerritory Drops 2026 NBA Playoff Predictions

Troy Taormina

VikingsTerritory releases one NBA article per year, and that’s a playoff and Finals predictions article. Otherwise, we stick to football. But to continue the tradition, let’s get some playoff picks on record.

Our panel made its picks for the 2026 NBA postseason bracket.

Most NBA prediction batches this year will feel pretty similar, as the association has some clear frontrunners. Here’s how Janik Eckardt, Josh Frey, and Dustin Baker see the NBA playoffs.

3-4 Teams Sit at the Center of the 2026 Title Race

A winner from the Western Conference feels like a no-brainer, but we say not so fast.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and guard Stephon Castle react following a fourth-quarter sequence against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, with the moment unfolding on Jan 28, 2026 in Houston. The duo’s body language captures late-game intensity as San Antonio battles through a tight finish on the road. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.

First Round

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder over (8) Phoenix Suns in 5 games
(5) Houston Rockets over (4) Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games
(3) Denver Nuggets over (6) Minnesota Timberwolves in 7 games
(7) San Antonio Spurs over (2) Portland Trailblazers in 5 games

Our predicting trio was in complete harmony for the 1st-Round of the Western Conference, with the only caveat that the Lakers could, in theory, defeat the Rockets if Luka Doncic and/or Austin Reaves return mid-series. Los Angeles must steal a game early to keep hope alive and bank on Doncic’s possible return around Game 4 or Game 5 from his hamstring injury.

For Nuggets-Timberwolves, the group decided Denver’s offense would prevail against Minnesota’s defense.

Eastern Conference

(1) Detroit Pistons over (8) Orlando Magic in 5 games
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers over (5) Toronto Raptors in 6 games
(3) New York Knicks over (6) Atlanta Hawks in 6 games
(2) Boston Celtics over (7) Philadelphia 76ers in 5 games

Frey picked the Raptors over the Cavaliers; that was the only point of contention at all in Round 1. Philadelphia might have hopes of keeping the series against Boston competitive if Joel Embiid were healthy, but that’s rare.

Cleveland-Toronto should be, by far, the most exciting series in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Second Round

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder over (5) Houston Rockets in 5 games
(7) San Antonio Spurs over (3) Denver Nuggets in 7 games

Here’s where the real disagreement among our panel started. Eckardt picked the Nuggets to take down the Spurs in seven games, evidently not convinced that San Antonio is ready for complete stardom. He also noted that whoever won DEN-SA would reach the NBA Finals.

For OKC-HOU, the world will see that the Rockets benefited from playing a depleted Lakers team in Round 1.

Eastern Conference

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers over (1) Detroit Pistons in 7 games
(2) Boston Celtics over (3) New York Knicks in 7 games

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell handles the ball during second-quarter action against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center, navigating defensive pressure as the offense sets up, with the scene taking place on Feb 20, 2026 in Charlotte. Mitchell’s control and pacing guide Cleveland’s half-court attack in an Eastern Conference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.

Our first real upset? The Cavaliers over the Pistons. Detroit feels like one of the familiar upstart NBA teams that are obviously good but may not hold up on the grandest stage. Getting some early-exit redemption last year, the Cavaliers punched their ticket to the ECF.

Also noteworthy: Frey picked the Knicks to upset the Celtics but was overruled by Eckardt and Baker.

Conference Championships

Eastern Conference

(2) Boston Celtics over (4) Cleveland Cavaliers in 7 games

When Jayson Tataum got hurt last year, the world didn’t know if his Achilles would heal in time to play during the 2025-2026 NBA season. Well, the tendon did heal, and he returned with plenty of time to find regular season footing before the postseason.

This one will go the distance, but the Celtics’ three-point shooting will overwhelm the Cavaliers.

Western Conference

(2) San Antonio Spurs over (1) Oklahoma City Thunder in 7 games

This is must-see television. Baker picked the Thunder to take down the Spurs, and if that happened, he’d pick the Thunder over the Celtics in the Finals. But Frey and Eckardt outvoted him, picking the Spurs to reach the championship and put Victor Wembanyama on the league’s grandest stage in just Year No. 3.

So, in one for the ages, the Spurs outlast the Thunder, putting a damper on Oklahoma City’s plan for a dynasty.

NBA Finals

Boston Celtics over San Antonio Spurs in 7 games

The panel split here, with Frey taking the Spurs in seven, but Eckardt Baker rolling with the Celtics. Unsurprisingly, Jayson Tatum was the unanimous Finals MVP pick; the league will certainly give it to him this time around.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum celebrates alongside guard Derrick White after converting a basket against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, with the play unfolding on Apr 3, 2026 in Milwaukee. The exchange highlights Boston’s offensive rhythm as the Celtics push momentum in a matchup featuring two Eastern Conference contenders. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images.

The Ringer‘s Matt Dollinger picked the Celtics over the Thunder and explained, “Celtics over Thunder. I wanted to pick this before the season, but I chickened out and picked Joe Mazzulla to win Coach of the Year instead.”

“I’m as anti-Boston as you are legally allowed to be at The Ringer, but this always felt like a ‘No One Believes in Us Even Though We’re Sort of the Best Team’ season. They spent the season redefining their depth and underdog identity. If Tatum pulls off this level of a comeback, we’ll never hear the end of it. It’s happening.”

The betting market suggests a Thunder-Celtics final, with Oklahoma City prevailing.