NBA Playoffs 2026: An Overview of the 20 Teams Competing for the Championship
The 2026 NBA playoffs have officially commenced.
The concluding week of the regular season wrapped up on Sunday, with all 30 teams participating to finish the 82-game schedule. Some of the top seeds enhanced their already impressive performances, while struggling teams made their final attempts to secure a favorable position for the May 10 draft lottery.
As it stands, 20 teams are now confirmed and seeded to vie for the opportunity to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. The play-in tournament kicks off on Tuesday, featuring four teams from each conference competing for the final two playoff spots to face the No. 1 and 2 seeds.
Our NBA analysts provide insights on all 20 teams heading into the postseason, detailing their first-round and play-in matchups, significant questions, and key players to monitor throughout the journey to the 2026 Finals.
Note: Odds for the 2026 NBA playoffs are provided by DraftKings.
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | CHA | CLE | DEN
DET | GS | HOU | LAC | LAL
MIA | MIN | NYK | OKC | ORL
PHI | PHX | POR | SA | TOR
Playoff bracket, schedule, news
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons (60-22)
Round 1 matchup: No. 8 seed
BPI chance to make the NBA Finals: 38.6%
NBA title odds: +2200
What to watch for in Round 1:
This season has been one of the finest in franchise history, driven by the defensive prowess, intensity, and physicality that have characterized many successful Detroit teams. However, will the Eastern Conference’s top seed be able to generate sufficient offense to reach its first Finals since 2005? Cade Cunningham has fulfilled his potential as the 2021 No. 1 draft pick, yet the supporting cast remains largely untested. The team emerging from the play-in tournament as the 8-seed will challenge the Pistons to keep pace on the scoreboard. — Jamal Collier
One big question for the postseason:
Is Cunningham completely healthy? The Pistons maintained their momentum towards the end of the regular season, securing the best record in the conference without their star player. Cunningham regained his form with two games last week, but the prospects of a deep playoff run depend on his recovery from a collapsed lung. Although he fell short of the 65-game mark, Cunningham was among the league’s elite this season and appeared to be a strong candidate for All-NBA. Detroit requires him to perform at that level. — Collier
Player who can swing the first round:
Cunningham. I analyzed how much teams would decline without their top player, and the Pistons would only drop to fourth. However, a top player returning from injury may experience some awkwardness. Cunningham returned from a collapsed lung last Wednesday against a team that was tanking, and he performed well. Yet, tanking teams won’t provide the real test. When the Pistons face a team employing a lockdown defense, Cunningham must avoid forcing plays and continue to defend effectively on the other end. — Dean Oliver
They will consider this a successful postseason if…
They advance to the second round. While a conference finals appearance may seem like the minimum expectation, it is crucial to remember that this team is just two seasons removed from a dismal 14-win campaign. In 2024, the Thunder achieved the best record in the West with 57 wins, only to be eliminated by the Mavericks in the conference semifinals. Detroit opted against making significant moves at the trade deadline, partly to avoid rushing their development or imposing title expectations on a young team. — Vincent Goodwill
2. Boston Celtics (56-26)
Round 1 matchup: No. 7 seed
BPI chance to make the NBA Finals: 29.2%
NBA title odds: +550
What to watch for in Round 1:
How will Boston’s center rotation perform? Neemias Queta and Luka Garza have not been relied upon as significant contributors in the postseason, and veteran Nikola Vucevic has never advanced past the first round. For Boston to achieve the deep playoff run it anticipates, this frontcourt group will face scrutiny. — Tim Bontemps
One big question for the postseason:
What will Jayson Tatum’s performance be like? His return to play less than a year after tearing an Achilles has been remarkable, and he quickly earned a conference Player of the Week award. However, for Boston to be a genuine title contender, Tatum must return to a form closer to what he exhibited before the injury. — Bontemps
Player who can swing the first round:
Payton Pritchard. The Celtics are adept at adjusting to their opponents, but if there is a player whose performance can fluctuate, it is Pritchard. He has been among the 30 most inconsistent players this season, with 23 strong games and 17 poor performances (plus 37 average outings). If the Celtics encounter a fierce starting unit in Charlotte, they cannot afford a subpar game from Pritchard: Boston’s most significant loss of the season occurred against the Hornets on March 4, when Pritchard had his worst performance. — Dean Oliver
They will consider this a successful postseason if…
They reach the conference finals. Tatum’s return has given Boston a sense of playing with house money. He returned sooner than anticipated and appears to be a reasonable version of himself while alternating lead roles with MVP candidate Jaylen Brown. After being eliminated in the second round last season as defending champions, advancing to the top two in what was expected to be a “gap year” would represent a significant achievement for the franchise. However, further advancement remains a possibility in the East. — Goodwill
3. New York Knicks (53-29)
Round 1 matchup: Atlanta Hawks
BPI chance to make the NBA Finals: 18.5%
NBA title odds: +1800
What to watch for in Round 1:
Whether the Knicks can handle their business early and secure enough rest for a potential rematch with the Celtics. This would require Jalen Brunson to continue trusting his teammates, such as Josh Hart and, more crucially, Karl-Anthony Towns. Every decision the Knicks have made since last season has led to this moment. Firing Tom Thibodeau. Hiring Mike Brown. Not going all-in with a trade offer for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Treating the first round with the seriousness it deserves after experiencing lapses in focus this season would validate those decisions — for now. — Goodwill
One big question for the postseason:
Can Towns be the genuine second option New York requires? He has been more productive in the latter half of the season but has had to find his scoring opportunities off the glass rather than having the offense run through him. Towns and Brunson have developed chemistry recently, but the pressure on Towns is greater than on any other star player this postseason. — Goodwill
Player who can swing the first round:
Mitchell Robinson. The Knicks have performed well against weaker teams but have struggled against stronger opponents. Who declines the most? It’s Robinson, on both ends of the court. Strong defenses contain him effectively, and they are also willing to foul him and send him to the line, where his sub-50% free throw percentage means “hack-a-Mitchell” is a viable strategy from the outset. — Oliver
They will consider this a successful postseason if…
They reach the NBA Finals. Knicks owner James Dolan made it clear on New York radio in January that making the conference finals was merely sufficient to get Thibodeau fired. Defeating Boston, Detroit, Cleveland, or any other team is the bare minimum. The Knicks were constructed to win this season, and falling short could have repercussions. — Goodwill
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30)
Round 1 matchup: Toronto Raptors
BPI chance to make the NBA Finals: 5.1%
NBA title odds: +1600
What to watch for in Round 1:
This Cavaliers team may provide James Harden with his best opportunity to overcome past playoff disappointments, and the opening round will serve as the first test of how he manages this pressure. Harden’s history of playoff struggles will not be alleviated regardless of Cleveland’s opponent in the opening series, but it will be the first chance to observe this team under real pressure. How will Harden perform on a team where he does not need to shoulder much of the scoring load, and how will he and Donovan Mitchell collaborate on the court, particularly in clutch situations? — Collier
One big question for the postseason:
Did the Cavaliers’ core four have sufficient time to develop chemistry? Due to a series of unfortunate injuries, the quartet of Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen entered the final week of the regular season having played only six games together for a total of 76 minutes. The positive aspect for the Cavaliers is that they have outscored opponents by 35 points during those minutes, but this is a small sample size for Cleveland’s top players before they face playoff competition. — Collier
Player who can swing the first round:
James Harden. The key for Cleveland is to find a counter to Mitchell, who has such a significant impact on the Cavaliers’ success that when he struggles, the entire team falters. In their second-round exit last year, he had a couple of poor performances, and his teammates were unable to support him. The pivotal player for the Cavaliers this postseason could be Harden, Allen, or Mobley, but they need one of them to step up. — Oliver
They will consider this a successful postseason if…
They reach the conference finals. The Cavaliers have not advanced that far without LeBron James since 1992, and current franchise star Mitchell has never progressed past the second round. Acquiring Harden before the trade deadline has only increased expectations. — Goodwill
5. Toronto Raptors (46-36)
Round 1 matchup: Cleveland Cavaliers
BPI chance to make the NBA Finals: 1.5%
NBA title odds: +25000
What to watch for in Round 1:
Toronto faced a tough challenge against the Knicks, having lost all five encounters with New York this season, including a defeat on Friday night. However, due to Orlando’s loss to Boston, the Raptors will instead face the Cavaliers, whom they swept in their season series. It is important to note that all of those games occurred before November 24, but securing a matchup against Cleveland was a significant victory for the Raptors.
One big question for the postseason:
Is Scottie Barnes prepared for the spotlight? After a limited role as a rookie, this is Barnes’ first opportunity to be the leading figure on a playoff team. How will he embrace this challenge, and can he guide Toronto to a first-round upset? — Bontemps
Player who can swing the first round:
Ja’Kobe Walter. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, the Raptors posted a 13-1 record. What contributed to that success? They faced weak opponents — very weak opponents. This Raptors team excels against inferior teams. However, against stronger teams, Brandon Ingram has struggled, Jamal Shead has performed worse, and Walter has been the least effective. At least one or two of these players need to actually step up if the Raptors hope to win a series. — Oliver
They will consider this a successful postseason if…
They manage to challenge one of the top teams. It appears that the Raptors are not on the verge of truly troubling the elite of the East, at least not in the way the NBA community perceives Atlanta or even the surging Hornets. Since Toronto’s 12-3 record in December, they have been a .500 team for the remainder of the season. Making a strong showing in the opening round with their lengthy, versatile defense could cap off a season that should not be viewed negatively in the North. — Goodwill
6. Atlanta Hawks (46-36)
Round 1 matchup: New York Knicks
BPI chance to make the NBA Finals: 1.4%
NBA title odds: +13000
What to watch for in Round 1:
After Jalen Johnson took over while Trae Young was sidelined, the Hawks made a significant move by trading Young and Kristaps Porzingis. Following a 20-25 start, Atlanta rebounded with a 25-10 record over the next 35 games, playing in the style Quin Snyder envisions. Johnson is emerging as a star. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been one of the offseason’s best acquisitions, and he and CJ McCollum bring valuable playoff experience, having each reached the Western Conference finals. Jonathan Kuminga aims to continue his strong performance after averaging 20.8 points for the Warriors in the second round against Minnesota last postseason after Stephen Curry’s injury. — Ohm Youngmisuk
One big question for the postseason:
Can Johnson elevate his game? The versatile forward has emerged as an All-Star this season. Now he returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2023, but this time as the Hawks’ primary option. This experience will be invaluable for the 24-year-old as he tests his triple-double capabilities against a Knicks defense focused on him. Johnson faced some playoff-tested teams recently, shooting a combined 12-for-35 and fouling out once in two losses last week to the Knicks and Cavaliers. The challenges will only intensify from here, but this is a crucial step in Johnson’s development. — Youngmisuk
Player who can swing the first round:
Nickeil Alexander-Walker. While Jalen Johnson is the Hawks’ top player, Alexander-Walker is their second-best. He has the second-most threshold wins for Atlanta, which indicates when his performance was sufficient to secure a victory. His ability to perform in clutch situations is particularly critical for Atlanta — while Johnson has been effective, defenses will likely force someone else, like Alexander-Walker, to step up. — Oliver
They will consider this a successful postseason if…
They achieve a first-round upset. The Hawks were considered a sleeper contender before the season began, while still having Trae Young on the roster. However, it was only after trading Young and Kristaps Porzingis that they could fully implement coach Quin Snyder’s game plan — Atlanta went 19-5 after the break, showcasing elite shot-making and defensive chaos. Although it won’t be easy or likely, given their failure to meet high preseason expectations, a first-round victory would represent a significant advancement for this young team. — Goodwill
Eastern Conference play-in
