NBA Playoffs 2026: Brackets Set as Play-In Tournament Tips Off This Week

58 articles · Updated · NBA.com · Apr 12

The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin this week, following the conclusion of the regular season and the announcement of the play-in tournament schedule.
Top seeds include the Detroit Pistons in the East and defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder in the West, with play-in games starting April 14.
The playoffs officially tip off April 18, with the NBA Finals scheduled to begin June 3, promising high-stakes matchups and potential upsets.

Can the Pistons, despite their #1 seed, overcome their underdog championship odds?

Is the Eastern Conference's newfound parity a true shift in NBA power?

Can the Warriors' veteran core make a deep playoff run from the 10th seed?

What does the NBA's $77 billion media deal mean for its future global growth?

Will the NBA's efforts to improve game flow address fan criticisms effectively?

How will Amazon's exclusive Play-In streaming affect viewership and fan access?