NBA standings 2026: Updated playoff bracket, clinching scenarios through April 6
Here's how the 2026 NBA playoffs are shaping up.
NBA standings 2026: Updated playoff bracket, clinching scenarios through April 6 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Playoff basketball is almost here.
It's early April, meaning the 2026 NBA playoffs will soon begin — but first, there's plenty to be settled in the standings. While "tanking" teams have been a major storyline of the 2025-26 campaign, leaving far fewer questions over which franchises remain in contention, seeding will remain critical over the last days of the regular season. In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have secured the No.
1 seed despite Cade Cunningham's recent absence, while the surging Boston Celtics look like another favorite with Jayson Tatum's return. The middle of the pack is where it gets interesting — between the Hawks , 76ers , Raptors , Hornets , Magic and Heat , only two teams will avoid the Play-In Tournament. Out West, the San Antonio Spurs are still in the running to catch the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed.
Three teams have already locked in Play-In bids in the Western Conference, including Stephen Curry's Warriors — so the only other significant question will be how the first-round matchups play out. The playoffs are almost here. Below, you can find the latest breakdown of the 2025-26 NBA standings, including an updated playoff bracket projection.
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