The 2026 NBA Playoffs Start This Weekend, and Here's Everything You Need to Know
The regular season is done. The bracket is locked. And starting this Tuesday, the Play-In Tournament gets underway to determine the final four spots in a 20-team postseason field. The first round itself tips off on Saturday, April 18, and we finally have the game times and matchups for opening weekend.
Play-In Tournament: Four Days, Eight Teams, One Chance
The Play-In runs from Tuesday through Friday this week, and it's do-or-die basketball. On Tuesday, April 14, the Hornets take on the Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, with the loser packing it in for the season. That same night at 10 p.m. ET, the Suns face the winner of the Trail Blazers/Clippers matchup, with the victor grabbing the West No. 7 seed.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiWednesday, April 15 brings the Eastern Conference action: 76ers versus Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime, with the winner getting the East No. 7 seed. The Trail Blazers/Clippers loser plays the Warriors at 10 p.m. ET that same night, and a loss sends you home.
Friday, April 17 wraps it up with two elimination games. The 76ers/Magic winner takes on the Hornets/Heat winner for the East No. 8 seed at 7:30 p.m. ET, while a TBD matchup at 10 p.m. ET decides the West No. 8 seed.
First Round Starts Saturday: Four Games We Already Know
Opening weekend of the first round is stacked. On Saturday, April 18, the No. 4 Cavaliers face the No. 5 Raptors at 1 p.m. ET on Prime Video. The No. 3 Nuggets take on the No. 6 Timberwolves at 3:30 p.m. ET, and the Knicks host the Hawks in a No. 3 versus No. 6 matchup at 6 p.m. ET on Prime. The marquee game comes at 8:30 p.m. ET: Lakers versus Rockets on ABC and fubo, which marks the first playoff meeting between LeBron James and Kevin Durant since the 2018 NBA Finals.
Worth noting: the Nuggets and Timberwolves are squaring off in the postseason for the third time in four years. That's a rivalry with some real history.
Sunday, April 19 belongs to the top seeds. The Celtics host their No. 7 opponent at 1 p.m. ET on ABC, the Thunder welcome their No. 8 seed at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, the Pistons host their No. 8 at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and the Spurs take on their No. 7 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.
What's Coming Next
The rest of the first-round schedule drops in the coming days. The second round tips off May 2-4, and the Finals begin June 3. If we get a Game 7, it goes down June 19. This is just the beginning.
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