{"id":593113,"date":"2026-04-09T19:21:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/593113\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T19:21:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T19:21:10","slug":"2026-nba-playoff-picture-april-9-clinching-scenarios-tiebreakers-for-postseason-contenders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/593113\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NBA playoff picture: April 9 clinching scenarios, tiebreakers for postseason contenders"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the regular season on April 12. In the meantime, we will provide detailed daily updates on the landscape, including magic numbers, remaining schedules and the stakes for every day’s slate of games<\/a>. For those teams not in the postseason hunt, we also break down the \u201crace\u201d for pole position in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jump to: Eastern Conference<\/a> \u2022 Western Conference<\/a><\/p>\n

CURRENT PLAY-IN BRACKETEastern Conference<\/p>\n

(7) Orlando Magic vs. (8) Philadelphia 76ers
(9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (10) Miami Heat<\/p>\n

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Western Conference<\/p>\n

(7) Phoenix Suns vs. (8) LA Clippers
(9) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (10) Golden State Warriors<\/p>\n

CURRENT PLAYOFF BRACKETEastern Conference<\/p>\n

(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) play-in winner
(2)\u00a0Boston Celtics\u00a0vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n

Western Conference<\/p>\n

(1)\u00a0Oklahoma City Thunder\u00a0vs. (8) play-In winner
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) play-In winner
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4)\u00a0Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets<\/p>\n

EASTERN CONFERENCE RACE<\/p>\n

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have locked up the No. 1 seed, and the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers appear bound for the next three seeds, in some order, and home-court advantage in the opening round.<\/p>\n

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Who, exactly, those four teams will play in the opening round is still up for grabs, as just two losses separate the fifth seed from the ninth seed. The Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are all jockeying for position in the final days of the season.<\/p>\n

Playoff-bound, seeding locked<\/p>\n

Record: 58-22 | Net rating: 8.3 (3rd)<\/p>\n

Clinched No. 1 seed and Central Division title<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @CHA, @IND<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: First-round matchup against No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined<\/p>\n

Record: 54-25 | Net rating: 8.2 (4th)<\/p>\n

Clinched playoff berth; clinches No. 2 seed and Atlantic Division title with win over Knicks<\/p>\n

Loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Knicks<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 2 seed: 1<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @NYK, NOP, ORL<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.<\/p>\n

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Record: 51-28 | Net rating: 6.5 (5th)<\/p>\n

Holds head-to-head tiebreakers over Celtics and Cavaliers<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 3 seed: 2<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: BOS, TOR, CHA<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 2 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No.4 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 2 seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals.<\/p>\n

Record: 51-29 | Net rating: 4.1 (9th)<\/p>\n

Loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Knicks<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @ATL, WAS<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 4 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Battling for guaranteed playoff spot<\/p>\n

Record: 45-35 | Net rating: 2.5 (11th)<\/p>\n

Clinches playoff berth with win over Cavaliers<\/p>\n

Holds tiebreakers over 76ers and Magic; loses head-to-head tiebreakers to Raptors and Hornets<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 5 seed: Do not control own destiny<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: CLE, @MIA<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 44-35 | Net rating: 2.2 (12th)<\/p>\n

Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Hawks, Hornets, Magic and Heat; loses head-to-head tiebreaker with 76ers<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 5 seed: 3<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: MIA, @NYK, BKN<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 44-36 | Net rating: 0.0 (17th)<\/p>\n

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Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Heat; loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Hawks, Raptors, 76ers and Hornets<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 8 seed: 2<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @CHI, @BOS<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 43-36 | Net rating: -0.2 (18th)<\/p>\n

Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Raptors, Hornets and Magic; loses head-to-head tiebreaker with Hawks and Heat<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 7 seed: 3<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @HOU, @IND, MIL<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 43-37 | Net rating: 5.3 (6th)<\/p>\n

Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Hawks and Magic; loses head-to-head tiebreaker to Raptors, 76ers and Heat<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 9 seed: 2<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: DET, @NYK<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 5 or 6 seed and a guaranteed playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Play-in bound, seeding to be determined<\/p>\n

Record: 41-38 | Net rating: 2.1 (13th)<\/p>\n

Locked into play-in tournament<\/p>\n

Holds head-to-head tiebreaker over Hornets and 76ers; loses head-to-head tiebreaker to Magic and Raptors<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 9 seed: Do not control own destiny<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @TOR, @WAS, ATL<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 8 seed.<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s games of consequenceWESTERN CONFERENCE RACE<\/p>\n

Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have secured the league\u2019s No. 1 overall seed while the San Antonio Spurs are locked into the West\u2019s No. 2 seed.<\/p>\n

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The Los Angeles Lakers have slipped behind the Denver Nuggets for the West\u2019s No. 3 seed and are in danger of falling behind the Houston Rockets to No. 5.<\/p>\n

The Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors are locked into the West\u2019s play-in tournament with the Suns guaranteed the No. 7 seed and the Warriors No. 10.<\/p>\n

Playoff-bound, seeding locked<\/p>\n

Record: 64-16 | Net rating: 11.6 (1st)<\/p>\n

Clinched No. 1 overall seed, Northwest Division title and home-court advantage throughout playoffs<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @DEN, PHX<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Will face No. 8 seed after play-in tournament.<\/p>\n

Record: 61-19 | Net rating: 8.4 (2nd)<\/p>\n

Clinched No. 2 seed and Southwest Division title<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: DAL, DEN<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Will face No. 7 seed after play-in tournament.<\/p>\n

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Record: 47-33 | Net rating: 3.1 (10th)<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @HOU, NOP<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Will face No. 3 seed (Nuggets, Lakers or Rockets) in first round of playoffs.<\/p>\n

Playoff-bound, seeding to be determined<\/p>\n

Record: 52-28 | Net rating: 4.8 (8th)<\/p>\n

Holds tiebreaker over Rockets, but not Lakers<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 3 seed: 2<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 4 seed: 1<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: OKC, @SAS<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 50-29 | Net rating: 1.2 (16th)<\/p>\n

Clinched playoff berth and Pacific Division title<\/p>\n

Holds tiebreaker over Nuggets and Rockets<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 4 seed: 3<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @GSW, PHX, UTA<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Record: 50-29 | Net rating: 5.0 (7th)<\/p>\n

Loses tiebreaker to Nuggets and Rockets<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 3 seed: Do not control own destiny.<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 4 seed: Do not control own destiny.<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: PHI, MIN, MEM<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 5 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 3 seed and home-court advantage in the first round.<\/p>\n

Play-in bound, seeding locked<\/p>\n

Record: 44-36 | Net rating: 1.5 (14th)<\/p>\n

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Remaining schedule: @LAL, @OKC<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Will face No. 8 seed (Clippers or Blazers) in first game of play-in tournament at 10 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 14.<\/p>\n

Record: 37-42 | Net rating: -0.3 (19th)<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: LAL, @SAC, @LAC<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: Will face No. 9 seed (Clippers or Blazers) in second game of play-in tournament at 10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 15.<\/p>\n

Play-in bound, seeding to be determined<\/p>\n

Record: 41-39 | Net rating: 1.5 (15th)<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s game against the Trail Blazers determines head-to-head tiebreaker<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 8 seed: 2<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: @POR, GSW<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Record: 40-40 | Net rating: -0.6 (20th)<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s game against the Clippers determines head-to-head tiebreaker<\/p>\n

Magic number for No. 8 seed: Do not control own destiny<\/p>\n

Remaining schedule: LAC, SAC<\/p>\n

Highest possible finish: No. 8 seed<\/p>\n

Lowest possible finish: No. 9 seed<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at stake: The No. 8 seed and two chances to secure a playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Thursday\u2019s games of consequence<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NBA playoff picture will come into clearer view each day between now and the end of the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":593114,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[6703,1222,49,48,11002,2357,2898,8028,23934,8217,8223,34087,8231,225520,8224,14102,459,2901,3555,15716,1528,6002,161908,6683,2696,82,10676],"class_list":{"0":"post-593113","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-atlanta-hawks","9":"tag-boston-celtics","10":"tag-ca","11":"tag-canada","12":"tag-charlotte-hornets","13":"tag-cleveland-cavaliers","14":"tag-denver-nuggets","15":"tag-detroit-pistons","16":"tag-eastern-conference","17":"tag-golden-state-warriors","18":"tag-houston-rockets","19":"tag-la-clippers","20":"tag-los-angeles-lakers","21":"tag-magic-number","22":"tag-miami-heat","23":"tag-minnesota-timberwolves","24":"tag-nba","25":"tag-new-york-knicks","26":"tag-oklahoma-city-thunder","27":"tag-orlando-magic","28":"tag-philadelphia-76ers","29":"tag-phoenix-suns","30":"tag-playoff-berth","31":"tag-portland-trail-blazers","32":"tag-san-antonio-spurs","33":"tag-sports","34":"tag-toronto-raptors"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=593113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/593113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/593114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=593113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=593113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=593113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}