Lakers playoff standings: Updated scenarios, schedule for L.A. in 2026 NBA bracket

The Los Angeles Lakers have clinched a playoff berth.

The Lakers are headed back to the postseason for the fourth year in a row. With the regular season winding down, Los Angeles not only secured a spot in the postseason but was also guaranteed to avoid the play-in tournament, set to have home-court advantage in the first round. 

This is an important distinction because Los Angeles will head into the playoffs missing some key players. Both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will be sidelined at the start of the playoffs, and the remaining healthy Lakers will need to keep the team's championship hopes alive until they return. The seed that Los Angeles ends up with, and its subsequent first-round opponent, could be hugely important with the injuries. 

Here is more on the updated scenarios and schedule for the Lakers in the 2026 NBA playoff bracket. 

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Lakers playoff scenarios 2026

The Lakers have punched their ticket to the playoffs. Finishing at 53-29, Los Angeles will be the No. 4 seed in the West.

MORE: Why is Luka Doncic going to Europe to get treatment on his injured hamstring?

Lakers standings 2026

These standings are updated after the games finished on Sunday, April 12. 

*clinched NBA Playoff berth

**clinched Play-In Tournament berth

Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings, Jazz

MORE: How Luka Doncic's injury impacts Lakers playoff chances, NBA MVP odds

Lakers remaining schedule

Here are the games that the Lakers have left in the 2025-2026 regular season.

• Sunday, April 12 vs. Jazz

MORE: How long is Austin Reaves out?

Lakers playoff opponent

With the Lakers locked into the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, they are set to face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round.