NBA Playoffs bracket 2026: Updated schedule, TV channels, scores for every round of postseason games

The Sporting News has the complete NBA Playoff bracket, the start times and how to watch every game.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with the court and players fragmented into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors representing the official team colors of the top playoff contenders.The 2026 NBA Playoffs will feature a clash of the league's top teams, each vying for the championship in a high-stakes postseason.Denver Today

The NBA Playoffs are officially here. After 82 games of grinding through the regular season, the marathon has finally turned into a sprint, as the 2025-26 postseason field is set to narrow through the high-stakes crucible of the Play-In Tournament. In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have completed a historic resurgence to claim the top seed, while the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers have secured their spots and are resting up for a deep run. In the West, the defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder have locked up the No. 1 seed, with the San Antonio Spurs right behind them.

Why it matters

With the first round officially tipping off on Saturday, April 18, the margin for error has vanished, and the quest for the Larry O'Brien Trophy is finally underway. This year's NBA Playoffs will determine the next NBA champion, with the top teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences battling it out in an intense postseason.

The details

The NBA Playoffs bracket is set, with the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder securing the top seeds in the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively. The first round will begin on April 18, with the Play-In Tournament taking place from April 14-17 to determine the final playoff spots. The postseason action will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Prime Video, with DIRECTV Stream offering a way for fans to catch all the games.

  • The Play-In Tournament will take place from April 14-17.
  • The first round of the NBA Playoffs will begin on April 18.
  • The conference semifinals are scheduled for May 4-5 (with a possible move up to May 2-3).
  • The conference finals are scheduled for May 19-20 (with a possible move up to May 17-18).
  • The NBA Finals will take place from June 3 to June 19.

The players

Detroit Pistons

The top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons have completed a historic resurgence this season.

Boston Celtics

The second seed in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have secured a spot and are resting up for a deep playoff run.

New York Knicks

The third seed in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have also secured a playoff spot.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers have earned a spot in the playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending NBA champions and the top seed in the Western Conference.

San Antonio Spurs

The second seed in the Western Conference, right behind the Thunder.

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The takeaway

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are set to be an exciting and highly competitive postseason, with the top teams from both conferences vying for the championship. Fans will have a wide range of viewing options to catch all the action, with games airing on ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Prime Video, as well as being available through DIRECTV Stream.