Pistons Secure Top Seed as NBA Playoff Bracket Finalizes

Key facts

• Detroit Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
• Toronto Raptors moved up to No. 5 seed on the final day of the regular season.
• Philadelphia 76ers rose to No. 7 seed on the final day.
• Play-In Tournament starts April 14; traditional playoffs begin April 18.
• NBA Finals Game 1 is scheduled for June 3.
• Oklahoma City Thunder lead the West with a 57-16 record.
• Bucks, Bulls, Nets, Pacers, Wizards eliminated in the East.
• Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings, Jazz eliminated in the West.

Final Regular-Season Shakeup Reshapes Eastern Conference Bracket

The NBA regular season concluded Sunday, locking in the bracket for the Play-In Tournament and the first round of the playoffs. The most consequential shifts occurred in the Eastern Conference, where the Toronto Raptors vaulted to the No. 5 seed and the Philadelphia 76ers climbed to the No. 7 seed on the final day of play. These moves reshuffled the middle of the conference standings, setting up a Play-In field that includes the 76ers, who now hold home-court advantage in the tournament's first round. Elsewhere, the top of the East remained stable. The Detroit Pistons secured the No. 1 seed, the only team in the conference to lock in a top-six spot before the final stretch. The Boston Celtics hold the No. 2 seed, while the Cleveland Cavaliers sit at No. 4, just 6.5 games ahead of the No. 10 Orlando Magic — a margin that underscores the conference's competitive density. The Pistons will face the winner of the Play-In Tournament's No. 8 seed, while the Celtics will meet the No. 7 seed winner. The exact opponents remain undetermined until the tournament concludes.

Western Conference Standings Solidify with Thunder on Top

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished with the league's best record at 57-16, earning the No. 1 seed. The Minnesota Timberwolves (45-28) secured the No. 2 seed, followed by the Portland Trail Blazers (37-37) and Golden State Warriors (35-38) rounding out the top six. All four teams have clinched playoff berths, avoiding the Play-In Tournament. The Play-In field in the West includes teams that finished between seventh and tenth place, though specific matchups were not detailed in the final standings. The New Orleans Pelicans (25-28) were eliminated from playoff contention, along with the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz.

Play-In Tournament Dates and Format Set

The NBA Play-In Tournament is scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 14, and run through Friday, April 17. The traditional playoffs tip off Saturday, April 18, with Game 1 of the NBA Finals slated for Wednesday, June 3. The tournament involves the seventh through tenth seeds in each conference, with the seventh and eighth seeds playing for the No. 7 berth, and the ninth and tenth seeds competing for the right to face the loser of that game for the final playoff spot. Only the top six seeds in each conference are guaranteed a playoff berth. Teams that finish seventh through tenth enter the Play-In, while those below tenth are eliminated. The Detroit Pistons are the only Eastern Conference team to have clinched a top-six spot outright, meaning every other team in the East is either in the Play-In or eliminated.

Eliminated Teams and the Race for the Top Six

In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Washington Wizards have been eliminated from playoff and Play-In contention. The Wizards finished with a league-worst 17-55 record. In the West, the Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings, and Jazz are out. The tightness of the Eastern Conference standings — with just 6.5 games separating the No. 4 Cavaliers from the No. 10 Magic — means that several teams are still jockeying for position in the final weeks. However, the regular season has ended, and the bracket is now fixed. The Play-In Tournament will determine which two teams from each conference claim the final two playoff spots.

Chasing History: Timberwolves, Knicks, and Others Make Late-Season Statements

Several teams made notable pushes as the regular season closed. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who secured the No. 2 seed in the West, were described as 'digging deep' in their pursuit of history. The New York Knicks 'made a statement' with a strong finish, while the Memphis Grizzlies' Desmond Bane had a standout performance, dubbed 'Bane's Big Night.' The San Antonio Spurs showcased their 'youth movement,' and the Los Angeles Lakers 'found a way' to secure their playoff position. In Atlanta, the Hawks were 'heating up' as they entered the postseason. These narratives highlight the diverse storylines heading into the playoffs, from veteran-led teams to emerging young cores. The Timberwolves, in particular, are positioned as a potential dark horse after a strong regular season.

Outlook: Playoffs Begin Amid Uncertainty in the East

With the bracket set, attention turns to the Play-In Tournament, which will determine the final playoff participants. The Eastern Conference's middle-tier teams — including the Raptors, 76ers, and others — face high-stakes games that could reshape the playoff landscape. The Pistons and Celtics await their opponents, while the Western Conference's top seeds, the Thunder and Timberwolves, also watch the Play-In outcomes. The compressed schedule — with the Play-In ending April 17 and the playoffs starting April 18 — leaves little room for rest. The NBA Finals are set for June 3, capping a postseason that promises to be fiercely competitive. The final regular-season standings have set the stage, but the Play-In Tournament will write the first chapter of the 2026 playoffs.

The bottom line

• The Detroit Pistons are the only Eastern Conference team to clinch a top-six seed outright, securing the No. 1 spot.
• The Play-In Tournament runs April 14-17, followed by the traditional playoffs starting April 18.
• Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers moved up on the final day, altering the East bracket.
• Oklahoma City Thunder hold the West's best record at 57-16.
• Six teams in each conference are eliminated: Bucks, Bulls, Nets, Pacers, Wizards in the East; Pelicans, Grizzlies, Mavericks, Kings, Jazz in the West.
• The NBA Finals begin June 3, with the playoff field still to be finalized via the Play-In.