Complete Guide to the 2025-2026 NBA Playoffs: Teams, Dates, and What to Expect

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[MyDaily = Reporter Shim Jae-hee] ‘Playoffs are here!’

The NBA has finalized its playoff field. The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic claimed the No. 8 seeds in the Western and Eastern Conferences, respectively. The 2025–26 NBA playoffs tip off on the 19th (Korean time).

On the 18th, both conferences decided their No. 8 seeds. In the West, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111–96 to secure the No. 8 seed. In the East, the Orlando Magic dominated the Charlotte Hornets 121–90 to grab the final playoff berth.

The playoff bracket is set. The play-in tournament ran from April 15–18, and all eight playoff teams in each conference have been determined. The first round begins on the 19th. Conference semifinals start May 5, conference finals on May 20, and the NBA Finals are scheduled to begin June 4.

In the Western Conference, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder will open the first round against No. 8 Phoenix. No. 2 San Antonio Spurs and No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers will battle for a spot in the second round. The Los Angeles Lakers meet the Houston Rockets, and the Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves in first-round matchups.

In the Eastern Conference, No. 1 Detroit Pistons will face No. 8 Orlando in the first round. No. 2 Boston Celtics and No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers are poised for a tough second-round gauntlet. The Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks are also set as first-round matchups.

◆ 2025–2026 NBA Playoff Bracket

* Western Conference
– Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1 seed) vs. Phoenix Suns (No. 8 seed)
– Los Angeles Lakers (No. 4 seed) vs. Houston Rockets (No. 5 seed)
– Denver Nuggets (No. 3 seed) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 6 seed)
– San Antonio Spurs (No. 2 seed) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (No. 7 seed)

* Eastern Conference
– Detroit Pistons (No. 1 seed) vs. Orlando Magic (No. 8 seed)
– Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 4 seed) vs. Toronto Raptors (No. 5 seed)
– New York Knicks (No. 3 seed) vs. Atlanta Hawks (No. 6 seed)
– Boston Celtics (No. 2 seed) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (No. 7 seed)

The playoffs consist of four rounds, with each series played as a best-of-seven.

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