The 2026 NBA Playoffs Are Here: Full Schedule, Bracket, and Play-In Games You Can't Miss
The NBA regular season wrapped on Sunday with all 30 teams fighting for their playoff lives, and the bracket is locked in. In the East, the Raptors grabbed the No. 5 seed and the last guaranteed spot in the playoffs after beating the Nets, sending the 76ers and Magic to the play-in tournament. Out West, the Nuggets claimed the No. 3 seed with a win over the Spurs, while the Lakers landed at No. 4 and will face the Rockets in the first round.
Play-In Tournament: The Battle for Entry
The play-in games are already underway on Prime. On Tuesday, April 14, the Hornets survived overtime against the Heat 127-126, and the Trail Blazers took down the Suns 114-110 to punch their tickets.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiTwo more qualifying games go down Wednesday, April 15: the Magic visit the 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Warriors head to the Clippers at 10 p.m. ET. The losers of those matchups will get one more shot on Friday, April 17, when the Hornets face the Magic-76ers loser at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Suns take on the Warriors-Clippers winner at 10 p.m. ET.
First Round Playoff Action Kicks Off Saturday
Game 1s start rolling Saturday, April 18. The Raptors visit the Cavaliers at 1 p.m. ET on Prime, the Timberwolves head to Denver at 3:30 p.m. ET on Prime, the Hawks travel to the Knicks at 6 p.m. ET on Prime, and the Rockets visit the Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Sunday, April 19 brings the rest of the East and West matchups. The play-in winners will visit the Celtics at 1 p.m. ET on ABC and the Thunder at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Pistons host a play-in winner at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and the Trail Blazers visit the Spurs at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
Your Complete Eastern Conference Matchups
- No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 8 play-in winner
- No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 play-in winner
- No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Hawks
- No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Raptors
Your Complete Western Conference Matchups
- No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 play-in winner
- No. 2 Spurs vs. No. 7 Trail Blazers
- No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Timberwolves
- No. 4 Lakers vs. No. 5 Rockets
Full series schedules with game times and broadcast details are locked in across all platforms from Prime to NBC to ESPN. The first round runs through early May with the bracket set. Mark your calendars, buckle up, and get ready for the madness.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about .
View X conversation →This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.