The 2026 NBA playoffs begin Saturday, April 18, with 16 teams competing for the championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder, having secured their third consecutive No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, aim to repeat as champions. The Detroit Pistons earned the top seed in the Eastern Conference, setting up intriguing matchups across both conferences.

Before the playoffs begin, the play-in tournament determines the final seeds. The play-in tournament runs April 14-17, with the Nos. 7-10 seeds competing for the final playoff spots. All four playoff rounds follow a best-of-seven format with no reseeding, and teams with better regular-season records receive home-court advantage. The Finals start June 3, with ABC broadcasting every game.

Key first-round series include the Detroit Pistons facing the play-in winner, while the Boston Celtics take on their own play-in survivor. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder open against a play-in team, and the San Antonio Spurs host their play-in opponent. The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets square off in a compelling Western Conference matchup, while the Denver Nuggets begin their title defense against the Minnesota Timberwolves.