The NBA playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 18, following the Play-In Tournament that runs from Tuesday to Friday. The league will soon crown its 2025-26 champion.
TheĀ NBA regular seasonĀ is over, which means in a couple short months, the league will crown its 2025-26 champion.
East No. 8 at Pistons, 6:30 p.m. | NBC and Peacock
West No. 7 at Spurs, 9 p.m. | NBC and Peacock
When do the Cleveland Cavaliers play next?
The Cavaliers, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, start their first round seriesĀ at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.
Who do the Cavs play in the playoffs?
The Cavaliers will take on the No. 5 seed Toronto RaptorsĀ in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
When is the NBA-Play In Tournament?
The annual Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14. The tournament will run through Friday, April 17.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
The tournament is divided into two rounds:
Round 1
Game 1: No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed
Game 2: No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed
The No. 7 and No. 9 seeds play at home in the first round. The winner of Game 1 secures the No. 7 seed in its respective conference playoff bracket. The loser of Game 1 continues to the second round and hosts the winner of Game 2. The loser of Game 2 is eliminated from playoff contention.
Round 2
Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 winner
The winner of this game secures the No. 8 and final seed in the playoffs. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reaches for the ball against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 24, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reaches for the ball against the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 24, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario.
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament bracket
With all regular season games completed, the NBA standings are final, meaning the bracket of the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament is officially set:
(All times are Eastern)
Eastern Conference
No. 10 Miami Heat at No. 9 Charlotte Hornets, 7:30 p.m., April 14.
No. 8 Orlando Magic at No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers, 7:30 p.m., April 15.
No. 9/10 winner at No. 7/8 loser, 7:30 p.m., April 17.
Western Conference
No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7 Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m., April 14.
No. 10 Golden State Warriors at No. 9 L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m., April 15.
No. 9/10 winner at No. 7/8 loser, 10 p.m., April 17.
What are the dates for the NBA Play-In Tournament in 2026?
The NBA Play-In Tournament is scheduled to run from Tuesday to Friday of the week before the playoffs start.
When is the first game of the NBA playoffs in 2026?
The first game of the NBA playoffs in 2026 is set to take place on Saturday, April 18.
How can I watch the NBA playoffs in 2026?
Details on how to watch the NBA playoffs in 2026 will be available closer to the start date, typically through major sports networks and streaming services.
Who will be the teams competing in the 2026 NBA playoffs?
The teams competing in the 2026 NBA playoffs will be determined after the conclusion of the regular season and the Play-In Tournament.
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