Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics: Game Highlights (1:12)Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics: Game Highlights (1:12)
ESPN staffMar 28, 2026, 06:45 AM ETMultiple Authors
With only six games scheduled in the NBA on Saturday, many eyes will be on Charlotte and the Eastern Conference play-in race. The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off getting Joel Embiid and Paul George back in the lineup, take on the Charlotte Hornets (6 p.m. ET). Philadelphia is currently in seventh in the East, just a game ahead of Charlotte, with both teams still incredibly close to breaking into the top six, and a guaranteed playoff spot.
In other action, the San Antonio Spurs will look to continue their winning ways against the skidding Milwaukee Bucks (3 p.m. ET, Prime), as Victor Wembanyama tries to improve his MVP case.
Here’s a look at the current and projected NBA playoff picture, the most important games left in the regular season and how the race for the No. 1 pick in June’s draft is shaping up:
Jump to a section: Current playoff matchups Today’s schedule | Friday’s scores Critical remaining games Projected standings | Race for No. 1 pick
Clippers 114, Pacers 113 Celtics 109, Hawks 102 Cavaliers 149, Heat 128 Rockets 119, Grizzlies 109 Thunder 131, Bulls 113 Raptors 119, Pelicans 106 Nuggets 135, Jazz 129 Warriors 131, Wizards 126 Mavericks 100, Trail Blazers 93 Lakers 116. Nets 99
The NBA uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first four picks. All 14 teams that fail to make the playoffs are eligible to move up to the top four. After the order of the top four picks is set via the draw, the remainder of the first round is set in inverse order of the teams’ regular-season records. The three teams with the worst records each have an equal 14% chance of winning the lottery, with the odds for the non-playoff teams decreasing from there.
Among the projected lottery teams, there are multiple trades that could impact picks. The Atlanta Hawks will get the better of the picks from the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks, with the lesser of the two picks going to Milwaukee. If the Indiana Pacers’ pick falls between five and nine, it will go to the LA Clippers. The Utah Jazz will send their pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it falls outside the top eight.
The Portland Trail Blazers will send their pick to the Chicago Bulls if it falls outside the lottery (if they make the playoffs through the play-in tournament). The Washington Wizards’ pick is top-eight protected, and the probability of their selection ending up ninth or worse is extremely low.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics: Game Highlights (1:12)Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics: Game Highlights (1:12)
1. Detroit Pistons vs. 8. Play-in winner TBD 2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Play-in winner TBD 3. New York Knicks vs. 6. Atlanta Hawks 4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. Toronto Raptors
7. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 8. Charlotte Hornets 9. Orlando Magic vs. 10. Miami Heat Loser 7/8 vs. Winner 9/10
1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8. Play-in winner TBD 2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Play-in winner TBD 3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Houston Rockets 4. Denver Nuggets vs. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves
7. Phoenix Suns vs. 8. LA Clippers 9. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 10. Golden State Warriors Loser 7/8 vs. Winner 9/10
Spurs at Bucks, 3 p.m. ET (Prime) Pistons at Timberwolves, 5:30 p.m. ET (ABC) 76ers at Hornets, 6 p.m. ET Kings at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET Bulls at Grizzlies, 8 p.m. ET Jazz at Suns, 10 p.m. ET (NBA TV)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics: Game Highlights (1:12)
ESPN staffMar 28, 2026, 06:45 AM ETMultiple Authors