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The NBA Playoff field is almost settled, with the top seeds in each conference settled but four spots in the first round still to be filled. That happens this week in the Play-In Tournament, which is now in its sixth season determining the final two seeds in each conference.
The top six seeds in the East and West after the regular season go straight to the first round, with No. 3 facing No. 6 and No. 4 facing No. 5. But the top two seeds have to wait on their preparation until their opponents are determined in a three-day mini-tournament.
It begins Tuesday, with the No. 7 seed hosting the No. 8 seed in each conference. The winners advance to the first round to face the No. 2 seeds, while the losers stay alive to host the winners of Wednesday's games between the No. 9 and No. 10 seed in each conference. Whoever emerges from those games Friday will face the top-seeded Pistons and Thunder in the first round.
Who will make it through the gauntlet in 2026? The Sporting News has everything you need to know for the NBA Play-In Tournament, from start times to streaming.
NBA Play-In Tournament 2026 schedule
- Dates: Tuesday, April 14–Friday, April 17
The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 14, and conclude on Friday, April 17. Once the postseason field has been finalized, the 2026 NBA Playoffs will start on Saturday, April 18.
| Tue., April 14 | East No. 7 vs. East No. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| No. 7 Suns vs. No. 8 Blazers/Clippers | 10 p.m. | Prime Video | |
| Wed., April 15 | East No. 9 vs. East No. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| No. 9 Clippers/Blazers vs. No. 10 Warriors | 10 p.m. | Prime Video | |
| Fri., April 17 | East No. 7/8 loser vs. No. 9/10 winner | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| West No. 7/8 loser vs. No. 9/10 winner | 10 p.m. | Prime Video |
Where to watch NBA Play-In Tournament 2026
- TV channel: None
- Live stream: Prime Video
Under the NBA’s new media rights agreement, all six games of the 2026 Play-In Tournament will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video, marking the first time the entire tournament has shifted to a streaming-only platform.
NBA playoffs bracket 2026
Eastern Conference
- (1) Pistons vs. (8) TBD
- (2) Celtics vs. (7) TBD
- (3) Knicks vs. (6) Raptors/Hawks
- (4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Hawks/Raptors
Western Conference
- (1) Thunder vs. (8) TBD
- (2) Spurs vs. (7) TBD
- (3) Nuggets/Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves
- (4) Lakers/Nuggets vs. (5) Rockets
English (US)