2026 NBA Playoff Bracket Set: Pistons Clinch Top Seed as Thunder Dominate the West

The 2026 NBA postseason picture is finally set. With Sunday's regular-season finale in the books, both conference brackets have taken shape, with the Detroit Pistons claiming the top seed in the Eastern Conference and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominating the Western Conference with a league-best 64 wins.

Detroit will face the winner of the Play-In Tournament's No. 8 spot in the first round. The Eastern Conference semifinals will feature a marquee matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors — teams that swapped seeds on the season's final day, with Toronto moving up to No. 5 and Philadelphia sliding to No. 7. The Knicks drew the Hawks, while the Celtics await the Play-In winner.

Play-In Tournament matchups in the East include the 76ers versus the Magic and the Hornets facing the Heat. The West's Play-In bracket pairs Phoenix against Portland and the Clippers against the Warriors.

Out West, the Thunder secured the top seed and will host the Play-In winner in round one. The San Antonio Spurs, at 62-20, claimed the No. 2 seed following a remarkable season. Denver drew the Timberwolves in a rematch of recent playoff battles, while the Lakers drew the Rockets in what promises to be a highly anticipated first-round series.

Every team in the actual playoff bracket remained in its position from the regular season's penultimate day — the only movement came in the play-in seeds. Milwaukee, Chicago, Brooklyn, Indiana, and Washington were officially eliminated from postseason contention.

The first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs is set to begin shortly, with the Play-In Tournament kicking off first.