2026 NBA playoff bracket: Matchups, schedule with first round underway

The first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs is underway, and Wednesday night’s action began with the Pistons — the East’s top seed — getting back on track with a comfortable 98-83 win over the Magic that evened the series at 1-1 before it heads to Orlando. Later Wednesday night, the West’s top seed will be in action as the defending champion Thunder look to go up 2-0 over the Suns. 

Tuesday night’s slate started with a pair of upsets. First, the 76ers evened up their series with the Celtics with a 111-97 victory in Boston. The Philadelphia backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe combined for 59 points in the win. Later on, the Trail Blazers stormed back from a 14-point deficit to stun the Spurs 106-103. While Scoot Henderson led the way with 31 for Portland, the bigger story was MVP finalist Victor Wembanyama exiting in the second quarter after a hard fall that resulted in a concussion. 

In the nightcap, the Rockets were unable to tie their series up with the Lakers despite having Kevin Durant back in the lineup after missing Game 1 with a knee injury. Led by LeBron James‘ 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, the Lakers prevailed 101-94 to take a 2-0 series lead. 

The postseason field was already trimmed from 20 teams to 16 as the Play-In Tournament wrapped up Friday night. The Heat, Clippers, Hornets and Warriors were all knocked out during the play-in, while the 76ers, Magic, Trail Blazers and Suns made the playoff field.

Here’s a look at the up-to-date 2026 NBA playoff bracket.

2026 NBA playoff bracket

2026 NBA playoffs schedule

All times Eastern. Games on ABC and ESPN are streaming on fubo (Try for free).

Saturday, April 18

Sunday, April 19

• Game 1: No. 2 Celtics 123, No. 7 76ers 91
• Game 1: No. 1 Thunder 119, No. 8 Suns 84
• Game 1: No. 8 Magic 112, No. 1 Pistons 101
• Game 1: No. 2 Spurs 111, No. 7 Trail Blazers 98

Monday, April 20

• Game 2: Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105
• Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106
• Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114

Tuesday, April 21

• Game 2: 76ers 111, Celtics 97
• Game 2: Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103
• Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94

Wednesday, April 22

• Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83
• Game 2: Thunder vs. Suns, 9:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo

Thursday, April 23

• Game 3: Hawks vs. Knicks, 7 p.m., Prime 
• Game 3: Raptors vs. Cavaliers, 8 p.m., Prime
• Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, 9:30 p.m., Prime

Friday, April 24

• Game 3: 76ers vs. Celtics, 7 p.m., Prime 
• Game 3: Rockets vs. Lakers, 8 p.m., Prime 
• Game 3: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs, 10:30 p.m., Prime

Saturday, April 25

• Game 3: Magic vs. Pistons, 1 p.m., Peacock
• Game 3: Suns vs. Thunder, 3:30 p.m., NBC
• Game 4: Hawks vs. Knicks, 6 p.m., NBC
• Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo

Sunday, April 26

• Game 4: Raptors vs. Cavaliers, 1 p.m., ESPN/fubo
• Game 4: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs, 3:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
• Game 4: 76ers vs. Celtics, 7 p.m., NBC
• Game 4: Rockets vs. Lakers, 9:30 p.m., NBC

Monday, April 27

• Game 4: Magic vs. Pistons, 8 p.m., NBC 
• Game 4: Suns vs. Thunder, 9:30 p.m., Peacock 
• Game 5: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, 10:30 p.m., NBC

Tuesday, April 28

• Game 5: Celtics vs. 76ers, TBD 
• Game 5: Knicks vs. Hawks, TBD 
• Game 5: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers, TBD

Wednesday, April 29

• *Game 5: Pistons vs. Magic, TBD 
• *Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Raptors, TBD 
• *Game 5: Thunder vs. Suns, TBD 
• *Game 5: Lakers vs. Rockets, TBD

Thursday, April 30

• *Game 6: 76ers vs. Celtics, TBD 
• *Game 6: Hawks vs. Knicks, TBD 
• *Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, TBD

Friday, May 1

• *Game 6: Magic vs. Pistons, TBD 
• *Game 6: Raptors vs. Cavaliers, TBD 
• *Game 6: Suns vs. Thunder, TBD 
• *Game 6: Rockets vs. Lakers, TBD

Saturday, May 2

• *Game 7: Celtics vs. 76ers, TBD 
• *Game 7: Knicks vs. Hawks, TBD 
• *Game 7: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers, TBD 
• *Game 7: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, TBD

Sunday, May 3

• *Game 7: Pistons vs. Magic, TBD 
• *Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Raptors, TBD 
• *Game 7: Thunder vs. Suns, TBD 
• *Game 7: Lakers vs. Rockets, TBD

Play-In Tournament schedule, scores

Tuesday, April 14

• No. 9 Hornets 127, No. 10 Heat 126 (OT) — Miami is eliminated
• No. 8 Trail Blazers 114, No. 7 Suns 110 — Portland wins West No. 7 seed

Wednesday, April 15

• No. 7 76ers 109, No. 8 Magic 97 — Philadelphia wins East No. 7 seed
• No. 10 Warriors 126, No. 9 Clippers 121 — Los Angeles is eliminated

Friday, April 17

• Magic 121, Hornets 90 — Magic win East No. 8 seed, Hornets eliminated from postseason
• Suns 111, Warriors 96 — Suns win West No. 8 seed, Warriors eliminated from postseason

2026 NBA playoffs key dates

• April 18-19: First round begins
• May 2-4: Second round begins
• May 10: 2026 NBA Draft Lottery
• May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin
• May 20: Western Conference Finals begin
• June 3: NBA Finals Game 1
• June 19: NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary)