When is the 2026 NBA Draft lottery? Time, format and how to watch

When is the 2026 NBA Draft lottery? Time, format and how to watch

With the 2026 NBA Draft lottery less than 24 hours away, all eyes are on which franchise will claim the prized No. 1 overall pick, a game-changing selection that could alter the trajectory of a team for years to come.

The NBA Draft lottery uses a randomized drawing to establish the order of the first 14 picks, and for teams looking for help on a much-needed rebuild, landing a top lottery pick can transform a franchise’s outlook. The drawing determines the top four selections, while the remaining lottery teams are assigned picks 5-14 based on their regular-season records, in reverse order.

Picks 15 through 30 in the first round, as well as every selection in the second round, are also assigned in reverse order of the regular-season standings.

This year, the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each enter the lottery with the top odds at 14% apiece to land the No. 1 pick. However, the lottery is notorious for its unpredictability, and teams with lower odds have often leapfrogged their way into top selections in past years.

Here’s what you need to know as the NBA Draft lottery unfolds.

More: What teams are in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery? Odds, past winners

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.

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NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

1 / 5

NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Moondog performs during the first quarter of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena.

2 / 5

NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

A member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team performs during a time out during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

3 / 5

NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Cleveland Brows player Myles Garrett riles up the crowd during the first half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

4 / 5

NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

A fan waves a towel during the second half of game one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.

5 / 5

NBA playoffs fans, dancers, cheerleaders and mascots bring the energy

Fans arrive to watch warmups before game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena.

When is the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

• Date: Sunday, May 10
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC
• Location: McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago, Illinois)

What teams will participate in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?

The 14 NBA teams that did not qualify for the 2026 NBA Playoffs are eligible for the NBA Draft lottery.

What is the format for the NBA Draft Lottery?

Teams with the worst regular-season records each have a 14% chance of landing the coveted No. 1 overall pick. This system is designed to discourage intentional losing, commonly referred to as "tanking," while still providing struggling franchises with a legitimate shot at a franchise-altering selection. The lottery employs a suspenseful random drawing to determine the order of the first four picks in the NBA Draft. Once those top four spots are set, the remaining lottery teams select in reverse order of their regular-season records, ensuring a balanced, competitive draft process that keeps fan bases engaged and hopeful.

Who won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery?

The Dallas Mavericks captured the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history.

What teams are in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery?

Teams are listed according to their regular-season records and their odds of securing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery.

• Washington Wizards | Record: 17-65 | Lottery odds: 14%
• Indiana Pacers | Record: 19-63 | Lottery odds: 14%
• Brooklyn Nets | Record: 20-62 | Lottery odds: 14%
• Sacramento Kings | Record: 22-60 | Lottery odds: 11.5%
• Utah Jazz | Record: 22-60 | Lottery odds: 11.5%
• Memphis Grizzlies | Record: 25-57 | Lottery odds: 9%
• Atlanta Hawks ( via New Orleans Pelicans) | Record: 26-56 | Lottery odds: 6.8%
• Dallas Mavericks | Record: 26-56 | Lottery odds: 6.7%
• Chicago Bulls | Record: 31-51 | Lottery odds: 4.5%
• Milwaukee Bucks : 32-50 : 3%

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Draft lottery date, time, TV and what to know about format