2026 NBA Playoffs: Clinching scenarios and standings on April 8
With less than one week left in the 2025-26 regular season, teams are in the midst of heated battles in the standings ahead of the start of the NBA playoffs on April 18. The top six teams in each conference will earn an outright playoff berth at the conclusion of the regular season. The next four teams will compete in the play-in tournament on April 14-17 for the last two seeds in each conference, respectively.
After 10 teams were eliminated from contention, the 20 bound for the postseason are locked in, either via a playoff berth or a spot in the play-in tournament. In fact, only two teams have clinched their positions, leaving 18 of the 20 postseason seeds still to be decided. Seven games are scheduled for Wednesday in the NBA, with several key matchups and a couple of clinching scenarios to monitor throughout the evening.
What are the matchups on Wednesday? 5 DAYS LEFT in the REGULAR SEASON! đż OKC can clinch the #1 seed in West đż ATL can clinch a top-6 spot in East đż DEN seeks 10th win in a row pic.
twitter. com/KEuf65tCdD â NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2026 Playoff Picture NBA STANDINGS UPDATE âźď¸ âŞď¸ ORL rises to 8th in the East âŞď¸ HOU wins 7th in a row âŞď¸ OKC wins 6th in a row âŞď¸ BOS wins 4th in a row âŞď¸ MIN clinch a Western Conference top 6 seed pic. twitter.
com/7QyvK1Nj3O â NBA (@NBA) April 8, 2026 Which teams have clinched a playoff berth? Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder (63-16) San Antonio Spurs (60-19) Denver Nuggets (51-28) Los Angeles Lakers (50-29) Houston Rockets (50-29) Minnesota Timberwolves (47-32) Eastern Conference: Detroit Pistons (57-22) Boston Celtics (54-25) New York Knicks (51-28) Cleveland Cavaliers (50-29) Which teams have been eliminated from postseason contention? Western Conference: New Orleans Pelicans (26-54) Memphis Grizzlies (25-54) Dallas Mavericks (25-54) Sacramento Kings (21-59) Utah Jazz (21-59) Eastern Conference: Milwaukee Bucks (31-48) Chicago Bulls (30-49) Brooklyn Nets (20-59) Indiana Pacers (18-61) Washington Wizards (17-62) Seeding Possibilities With four game days remaining in the regular season, 18 of the 20 postseason teams have yet to clinch their seed.