NBA Eastern Conference Standings and Playoff Race

Detroit Pistons lead the East, playoff seeding still up for grabs

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:22am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with sharp planes of bright blue, green, red, and yellow colors representing the top teams in the Eastern Conference playoff race.The competitive race for playoff positioning in the NBA Eastern Conference is reflected in a cubist, fragmented visual style.Denver Today

The 2025-26 NBA regular season is nearing its end, with the Detroit Pistons holding the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The race for playoff positioning remains competitive, with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers also jockeying for position. The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will determine the final two playoff spots in each conference before the postseason begins on April 18.

Why it matters

As the NBA regular season winds down, the Eastern Conference playoff race is heating up. The top teams are battling for seeding and home-court advantage, while the Play-In Tournament will provide an exciting conclusion to the regular season and determine the final playoff participants.

The details

The Detroit Pistons currently lead the Eastern Conference with a 56-21 record. They can clinch the No. 1 seed if the Boston Celtics lose their game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics are second with a 52-25 record, followed by the New York Knicks (50-28) and Cleveland Cavaliers (48-29). The middle of the conference standings are occupied by the Atlanta Hawks (45-33), Philadelphia 76ers (43-34), and Toronto Raptors (43-34). The final playoff spots will be determined by the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, which features matchups between the 7th and 8th seeds, as well as the 9th and 10th seeds, in each conference.

  • The 2025-26 NBA regular season is approaching its conclusion as of April 4, 2026.
  • The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament is scheduled to take place from April 14 to April 17, 2026.
  • The first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs will officially begin on April 18, 2026.
  • Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals is scheduled for June 3, 2026.

The players

Detroit Pistons

The team currently holding the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 56-21 record.

Boston Celtics

The team in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 52-25 record.

New York Knicks

The team in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 50-28 record.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The team in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 48-29 record.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The team holding the top seed in the Western Conference.

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What’s next

Following the conclusion of the Play-In Tournament on April 17, the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs will officially begin on April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The final weeks of the NBA regular season will be filled with high-stakes drama as teams jockey for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. The Play-In Tournament will add an extra layer of excitement as the final playoff spots are determined, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.