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What NBA playoff coaches are on the hot seat? These five can't afford early exit
TL;DR
Several NBA coaches are at risk of being fired if their teams exit the playoffs early. The pressure is high as playoff performance often determines job security for coaches.
Key points
- NBA coaches face high pressure during playoffs.
- Poor playoff performance can lead to immediate firings.
- Coaches' job security is often tied to postseason results.
- Last season saw two playoff teams fire their coaches.
- Five coaches are currently at risk for early playoff exits.
The end for an NBA coach can be brutal and sudden, even for teams that make the playoffs. Last year, two playoff teams even got rid of their coach right before the postseason began. It's not the profession for those seeking job security.
No such turmoil occurred to close the 2025-26 NBA regular season, but there is nonetheless a group of coaches still coaching as of Thursday, April 16 that could be fired soon if the high-stakes games of the 2026 NBA playoffs don't go their way.
A team's playoff ledger relative to expectations often supersedes the number of wins accrued over the months-long slog preceding the postseason. Those that fall short under these bright lights are eventually discarded, and NBA coaches have traditionally been among the most dispensable.
Here are five coaches currently in the NBA's postseason who are on the hot seat, especially if their team were to suffer an early exit from the playoffs:
As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.
See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.
Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets blocks a shot from Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers slam dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket while guarded by Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a three-point shot over Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after defeating the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball ahead of Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball while guarded by Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court while guarded by Simone Fontecchio #0 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a shot under pressure from Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball over Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat late in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Interim head coach Tiago Splitter of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball in the first half while guarded by Simone Fontecchio #0 of the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers lays up a shot ahead of Oso Ighodaro #11 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket while guarded by Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.
See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.
Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
As the NBA Play‑In Tournament unfolds, every possession carries extra weight with postseason spots on the line.
See the action and emotion from across the tournament as teams battle through high‑stakes games.
Above, LaMelo Ball #1 celebrates with Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after scoring and drawing a foul against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets blocks a shot from Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
4 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Shaedon Sharpe #17 of the Portland Trail Blazers slam dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket while guarded by Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a three-point shot over Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after defeating the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball ahead of Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball while guarded by Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
12 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
13 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets guards Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts in overtime against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets brings the ball up court while guarded by Simone Fontecchio #0 of the Miami Heat in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers attempts a shot under pressure from Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball over Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat late in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Interim head coach Tiago Splitter of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
19 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball in the first half while guarded by Simone Fontecchio #0 of the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
20 / 21
NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers lays up a shot ahead of Oso Ighodaro #11 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 14, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Suns 114-110.
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NBA Play-In Tournament photos showcase final push to the postseason
Norman Powell #24 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket while guarded by Brandon Miller #24 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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1. Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic
The fifth-year coach could be coaching for his job when the Magic face the Charlotte Hornets to close out the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Even a first-round exit to the top-seeded Detroit Pistons might lead to Mosley's firing after a disjointed season in which the trio of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane struggled to gel together offensively. Orlando spent four first-round draft picks on Bane last offseason to be a contender, not relegated to play-in fodder, and Mosley might pay the price in the days ahead.
2. Tiago Splitter, Portland Trail Blazers
The interim Blazers coach isn't on this list because of his performance. He just led Portland to its first playoff appearance since 2021 after starting the season with coach Chauncey Billups arrested following the first game as part of federal indictments related to illegal gambling. But new owner Tom Dundon has not committed to hiring Splitter, nor officially parted ways with Billups, and it will make for a complicated situation whenever the Blazers' season ends.
Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka talks with forward Kevin Durant (7) during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on April 10, 2026.
3. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
Among NBA teams to qualify for the postseason, only the Charlotte Hornets had a worse crunch time NET rating during the regular season than the Rockets. Despite the addition of Kevin Durant last offseason, their halfcourt offense has devolved at key moments and Udoka has thus far not adjusted well to the flaws or the absence of injured point guard Fred Van Vleet. Losing in the first round to the injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers would mean Houston dropped a series in which it almost certainly got out-coached given the personnel discrepancies.
4. Mike Brown, New York Knicks
Brown is only in his first season with the Knicks and the team finished with two more regular-season wins than it did a year ago under former coach Tom Thibodeau. But the expectations are high in New York. A first-round exit against the Atlanta Hawks, combined with the reality that Brown was not the top choice for Knicks' brass to begin with last offseason, could lead to a quick change on the bench.
5. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers
Nurse hasn't succeeded with the Sixers like he once did with the Toronto Raptors, in large part because of injuries and roster construction. Getting out of the play-in tournament after a bounce-back regular season might be enough to give Nurse another year, particularly since Paul George and Joel Embiid again missed large chunks of the season. But Nurse would probably be wise to not get swept by the Celtics in the first round, just to be safe.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA playoff coach hot seat rankings: Why these coaches can't lose quick
Q&A
Which NBA coaches are currently on the hot seat for the 2026 playoffs?
Five coaches are identified as being on the hot seat, facing potential dismissal if their teams perform poorly in the playoffs.
What factors contribute to NBA coaches being fired during the playoffs?
Coaches are often fired based on their team's playoff performance relative to expectations, rather than their overall win-loss record.
How does playoff performance impact NBA coaching job security?
Playoff performance is critical; coaches who fail to meet expectations during high-stakes games are at risk of losing their jobs.
What happened to NBA coaches in the previous season's playoffs?
Last season, two playoff teams fired their coaches just before the postseason, highlighting the precarious nature of coaching in the NBA.