NBA Season Finale: 10 Playoff Seeds Up for Grabs

Intense battles for the final postseason spots in the East and West

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:26am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the intensity and drama of the final day of the NBA regular season.The final day of the NBA regular season promises high-stakes drama as teams battle for the remaining playoff spots.Denver Today

The NBA regular season is coming to a thrilling conclusion, with 10 playoff seeds still up for grabs heading into the final Sunday. In the Eastern Conference, several teams are jockeying for position, including Atlanta, Toronto, and Philadelphia, while the Western Conference also has crucial matchups that will determine the final seeding. With so much on the line, the last day of the season promises to be an exciting showcase of high-stakes basketball.

Why it matters

The final day of the NBA regular season is always a highly anticipated event, as teams fight for their playoff lives and jockey for favorable postseason positioning. This year's finale is especially compelling, with half the playoff spots still undecided. The outcomes of these games will have major implications, determining which teams make the playoffs and which teams are left out, as well as setting up potential first-round matchups.

The details

In the Eastern Conference, Atlanta currently holds the fifth seed but faces a crucial game against Miami that could see them drop to sixth depending on other results. Toronto, sitting at sixth, also needs a win to lock up a top-six spot, while Philadelphia at eighth is in a must-win scenario to avoid missing the playoffs. The Western Conference has some teams already assured of their seeds, but the race for the top half is intense, with Denver, Los Angeles, Portland, and LA all fighting for positioning.

  • The final day of the NBA regular season is Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

Atlanta Hawks

An Eastern Conference team currently holding the fifth playoff seed, but facing a crucial game against Miami that could impact their final position.

Miami Heat

An Eastern Conference team facing off against the Atlanta Hawks in a game that could have major playoff implications.

Toronto Raptors

An Eastern Conference team sitting at the sixth seed, needing a win to lock up a top-six spot in the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers

An Eastern Conference team at the eighth seed, in a must-win scenario to avoid missing the playoffs.

Denver Nuggets

A Western Conference team currently in the third seed, but facing a game that could see them drop to fourth depending on the outcome.

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What they’re saying

“This final day of the season is going to be an absolute battle, with so much on the line for these teams. The intensity and drama of the playoffs are on full display.”

— Reggie Miller, NBA Analyst

“We've worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position, and we're not going to let it slip away now. We're going to leave it all on the court on Sunday.”

— Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks Point Guard

What’s next

The NBA playoffs will begin shortly after the conclusion of the regular season, with the final seeding and matchups determined by the outcomes of the games on the last day.

The takeaway

The final day of the NBA regular season is shaping up to be a thrilling showcase of high-stakes basketball, with 10 playoff spots still up for grabs. The intense battles in both the Eastern and Western Conferences will have major implications for the postseason, making this a must-watch event for any basketball fan.