NBA Playoff Picture Remains Murky With Play-In Tournament Looming

Only the Warriors and Pistons have locked in their playoff seeds so far.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:21am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric illustration depicting an abstract basketball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes in vibrant colors representing the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the NBA playoff race.The NBA's play-in tournament has added an extra layer of complexity to the end of the regular season, with teams fighting for every last position in the postseason bracket.Today in Detroit

With the NBA's annual play-in tournament less than a week away, the postseason picture remains uncertain. Only the Golden State Warriors (locked into the Western Conference's No. 10 seed) and Detroit Pistons (locked into the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed) have secured their playoff positions so far. The rest of the teams are still jockeying for position, with five Eastern Conference squads fighting to avoid the play-in tournament.

Why it matters

The NBA's play-in tournament has added an extra layer of drama and unpredictability to the end of the regular season. Teams are battling hard to either clinch a direct playoff berth or secure a favorable play-in position, which could significantly impact their postseason hopes.

The details

In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks, Bulls, Nets, Pacers and Wizards have been eliminated from postseason contention. In the West, the Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings and Jazz have been knocked out. The play-in tournament will take place from April 14-17, with the NBA playoffs beginning the following day on April 18. The NBA Finals are scheduled to tip off on June 3.

  • The NBA Play-In Tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14 and finishes on Friday, April 17.
  • The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 18.
  • Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be on Wednesday, June 3.

The players

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have locked in the Western Conference's No. 10 seed.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons have locked in the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

With just five days left in the regular season, every game matters as teams jockey for position in the playoff race. Upcoming matchups that could significantly impact the final standings include [insert key upcoming games].

The takeaway

The NBA's play-in tournament has added an extra layer of excitement and uncertainty to the end of the regular season. While the Warriors and Pistons have secured their playoff spots, the rest of the league is still fighting to avoid the play-in and secure the best possible postseason positioning.