Nikola Jokic gets back-to-back scores for the Nuggets (0:20)Nikola Jokic gets back-to-back scores for the Nuggets (0:20)
ESPN staffApr 12, 2026, 11:00 PM ETMultiple Authors
The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin Saturday, rolling all the way until the middle of June. It’s sure to be an exciting run toward the NBA Finals, which begin June 3 and will be broadcast by ABC.
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder, who locked in their third straight 1-seed in the Western Conference, repeat as champions? Which team will emerge from a crowded East field? Could there be upsets throughout the field?
But the playoff bracket isn’t set just yet. The play-in tournament begins Tuesday, with the Nos. 7 through 10 seeds playing to determine which teams get to face the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds in each conference.
Game 1s: Each conference’s No. 7 team in the standings will host the No. 8 team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing teams get another chance in their respective conference’s Game 3.
Game 2s: Each conference’s No. 9 team will host the No. 10 team, with the winner moving on to Game 3. The losers are eliminated and enter the NBA draft lottery.
Game 3s: The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups, with the victors grabbing each conference’s No. 8 seed in the postseason. The losers of Game 3 enter the NBA draft lottery.
Game 1: at Detroit on Sunday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. ET Game 2: at Detroit Game 3: at Play-in winner Game 4: at Play-in winner Game 5 (if necessary): at Detroit Game 6 (if necessary): at Play-in winner Game 7 (if necessary): at Detroit
Game 1: at Boston on Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. ET Game 2: at Boston Game 3: at Play-in winner Game 4: at Play-in winner Game 5 (if necessary): at Boston Game 6 (if necessary): at Play-in winner Game 7 (if necessary): at Boston
Game 1: at New York on Saturday, 6 p.m. ET Game 2: at New York Game 3: at Atlanta Game 4: at Atlanta Game 5 (if necessary): at New York Game 6 (if necessary): at Atlanta Game 7 (if necessary): at New York
Game 1: at Cleveland on Saturday, 1 p.m. ET Game 2: at Cleveland Game 3: at Toronto Game 4: at Toronto Game 5 (if necessary): at Cleveland Game 6 (if necessary): at Toronto Game 7 (if necessary): at Cleveland
Game 1: at Oklahoma City on Sunday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. ET Game 2: at Oklahoma City Game 3: at Play-in winner Game 4: at Play-in winner Game 5 (if necessary): at Oklahoma City Game 6 (if necessary): at Play-in winner Game 7 (if necessary): at Oklahoma City
Game 1: at San Antonio on Sunday, April 19, 9 p.m. ET Game 2: at San Antonio Game 3: at Play-in winner Game 4: at Play-in winner Game 5 (if necessary): at San Antonio Game 6 (if necessary): at Play-in winner Game 7 (if necessary): at San Antonio
Game 1: at Denver on Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET Game 2: at Denver Game 3: at Minnesota Game 4: at Minnesota Game 5 (if necessary): at Denver Game 6 (if necessary): at Minnesota Game 7 (if necessary): at Denver
Game 1: at Los Angeles on Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET Game 2: at Los Angeles Game 3: at Houston Game 4: at Houston Game 5 (if necessary): at Los Angeles Game 6 (if necessary): at Houston Game 7 (if necessary): at Los Angeles
The 2026 NBA Finals will begin Wednesday, June 3, with each game tipping off at 8:30 p.m. ET. ABC will broadcast each game.
Nikola Jokic gets back-to-back scores for the Nuggets (0:20)Nikola Jokic gets back-to-back scores for the Nuggets (0:20)
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. Orlando Magic 9. Charlotte Hornets 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. Denver Nuggets vs. 6. Minnesota Timberwolves 4. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 5. Houston Rockets
7. Phoenix Suns vs. 8. Portland Trail Blazers 9. LA Clippers vs. 10. Golden State Warriors Loser 7/8 vs. Winner 9/10
(8) Orlando Magic at (7) Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET
(10) Miami Heat at (9) Charlotte Hornets Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET
(8) Portland Trail Blazers at (7) Phoenix Suns Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET
(10) Golden State Warriors at (9) LA Clippers Wednesday, 10 p.m. ET
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 Game 2: Friday, June 5 Game 3: Monday, June 8 Game 4: Wednesday, June 10 Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday, June 13 Game 6 (if necessary): Tuesday, June 16 Game 7 (if necessary): Friday, June 19
Nikola Jokic gets back-to-back scores for the Nuggets (0:20)
ESPN staffApr 12, 2026, 11:00 PM ETMultiple Authors
Goodwill: How Isaiah Stewart became Detroit’s enforcer
Celtics tie NBA record with 29 3s, clinch No. 2 seed
Shelburne: How Jaylen Brown turbocharged the Celtics back to title contention
Bridges extends games played streak after 23-second stint
Goodwill: Five issues facing the Knicks ahead of the playoffs
Spears: Cavaliers guard James Harden is ‘here for a reason’
Slater: Chet Holmgren is ready to show the NBA why his best is yet to come
Wembanyama hits 65 games as he checks another ‘box’
Redick on short-handed Lakers: ‘Everybody wants to play us’
McMenamin: Inside Marcus Smart’s incredible return from The Punch
Wright: How the Rockets bullied their way to one of the NBA’s best offenses