Possible postseason scenarios, opponents for the Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers have three games left in this roller coaster of a 2025-26 regular season before the postseason gets underway. The Sixers are currently in a fight to get into the top 6 of the Eastern Conference standings so they can avoid the play-in tournament. Philadelphia would much rather have the week off before Game 1 of Round 1 instead of having to fight to get into the playoffs through the play-in.

With that being said, there are a number of possibilities in terms of playoff opponents for the Sixers. There is much to be decided over the final days of the regular season and the results of the final three games will have a big impact on Philadelphia's playoff path. Here are a look at some potential playoff opponents for the Sixers in Round 1: Detroit Pistons Scenario: Sixers get No.

8 seed through play-in to face 1 seed Pistons The Pistons swept the Sixers in the regular season series, but Joel Embiid did not play in any of those games while Detroit didn't have Cade Cunningham for two of those games. Therefore, it might be tough to get a read on a potential playoff series between these teams. The Pistons have been dominant all year long and play a physical brand of basketball led by their stout defense.

The Sixers would have to find a way to break Tyrese Maxey free from Detroit's defensive duo of Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland II and also hope Embiid is healthy enough to slow down Pistons star Jalen Duren. As a caveat, the only way the Sixers would see the Pistons is through the play-in. They would have to play two play-in games to earn the No.