NBA's Final Day Playoff Scenarios: 9 Must-Watch Games

Postseason seeding and matchups still up for grabs on last day of regular season

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:34pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an NBA basketball game broken down into overlapping planes of color, representing the complex playoff scenarios unfolding on the final day of the season.The final day of the NBA regular season promises high drama as teams battle for playoff positioning and first-round matchups.Denver Today

The NBA's final day of the regular season on April 12 features nine games with playoff implications, including a crucial matchup between the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs that could impact the second-round playoff bracket. Other key games involve the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Why it matters

With the top seeds in each conference already locked in, the remaining playoff spots and seeding are still up for grabs on the final day. Several teams are jockeying for position, which will determine first-round matchups and potential second-round showdowns. The Nuggets-Spurs game is particularly important, as the winner could avoid facing each other in the second round.

The details

In the Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks can lock up the No. 5 seed with a win over the Miami Heat, but a Hawks loss combined with a Toronto Raptors win would drop Atlanta to the No. 6 seed. The Orlando Magic can clinch the No. 7 seed with a win, while the Philadelphia 76ers could jump up to No. 7 if they win and Orlando loses. In the West, the Denver Nuggets-San Antonio Spurs matchup is crucial, as the Spurs can improve their potential second-round opponent by beating the Nuggets. The Los Angeles Lakers can jump the Nuggets to the No. 3 seed if they win and Denver loses.

  • The NBA's regular season concludes on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • The Nuggets-Spurs game tips off at 8:30 PM ET.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The star center for the Denver Nuggets, who are considered one of the top title contenders in the NBA.

Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers guard whose late-game heroics helped the Lakers defeat the Nuggets in a recent overtime thriller.

Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks superstar who hit the game-winning baseline jumper to beat the Lakers in overtime after Reaves' clutch play.

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What they’re saying

“The biggest game of the day is Denver at San Antonio, where the Spurs could help avoid facing the Nuggets in the second round.”

— Kurt Helin, Author

What’s next

The NBA Playoffs will begin shortly after the conclusion of the regular season on April 12. The first-round matchups and seeding will be finalized based on the results of the final day's games.

The takeaway

The NBA's final day of the regular season will be filled with high-stakes, must-watch games as teams jockey for playoff positioning. The Nuggets-Spurs clash is the marquee matchup, with major implications for potential second-round playoff matchups in the Western Conference.