NBA Playoffs 2026: Play-In Tournament and First-Round Matchups Set to Begin

52 articles · Updated · NBA.com · Apr 13

The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin this week, following the conclusion of the regular season and upcoming Play-In Tournament.
Top seeds include the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West and Detroit Pistons in the East, with key matchups starting April 18 and 19.
Defending champions Oklahoma City aim for a repeat, while teams like Boston, San Antonio, and Houston look to challenge for the title.

Beyond top contenders, which playoff "longshot" team could surprise everyone this year?

Will the new $77 billion NBA media deals truly benefit fans or just boost league revenue?

What specific new anti-tanking rules will the NBA vote on to curb the "epidemic"?

How will Joel Embiid's recovery affect the 76ers' deep playoff run chances?

Will national-only playoff broadcasts alienate fans missing their local announcers?

Can the 2026 Play-In Tournament break its historical trend of low advancement rates?