When is the 2026 NBA Draft lottery? Time, format and how to watch
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is tomorrow and all eyes are on who will secure the top pick. Here's everything you need to know.
With the 2026 NBA Draft lottery less than 24 hours away, all eyes are on which franchise will claim the prized No. 1 overall pick, a game-changing selection that could alter the trajectory of a team for years to come. The NBA Draft lottery uses a randomized drawing to establish the order of the first 14 picks, and for teams looking for help on a much-needed rebuild, landing a top lottery pick can transform a franchise’s outlook.
The drawing determines the top four selections, while the remaining lottery teams are assigned picks 5-14 based on their regular-season records, in reverse order. Picks 15 through 30 in the first round, as well as every selection in the second round, are also assigned in reverse order of the regular-season standings. This year, the Washington Wizards , Indiana Pacers , and Brooklyn Nets each enter the lottery with the top odds at 14% apiece to land the No.
1 pick. However, the lottery is notorious for its unpredictability, and teams with lower odds have often leapfrogged their way into top selections in past years. Here’s what you need to know as the NBA Draft lottery unfolds.
More: What teams are in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery? Odds, past winners When is the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery? The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.