NBA Playoffs Kickoff: Teams, Format, Schedule & Key Matchups

by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo

image NBA Playoffs Kickoff: Teams, Format, Schedule & Key Matchups
With the 2025-26 NBA regular season out of the picture, the wait for the postseason is finally over, as the most anticipated competition is set to take place this Saturday. At SportyTrader, we have covered everything you need to know about the NBA Playoffs, from the teams involved, formats, and the schedule, to keep you informed.

Tournament Overview

The 2025-26 NBA Playoffs are finally here and 16 teams are about to enter the fray with one objective in mind: to be crowned NBA champions. 

To recap how the competition works, it comes after the conclusion of the NBA 2025-26 regular season. Only the top eight teams from each conference (East and West) get to compete at this stage.

Six teams from each conference secure direct qualification to the playoffs, while the remaining seventh and eighth seeded spots are decided through the play-in tournament. These are teams that finished seventh to tenth in their respective conferences.

The path to be crowned NBA champions requires the 16 teams to compete in four rounds, first in a best-of-seven series format, where the first team to reach four wins advances to the next round.

The format follows a simple bracket system and below we have pointed out how each round works for better understanding:

  1. 1st Round (Conference Quarter-finals)
  • 16 qualified teams enter the fray—East (8) and West (8) 
  • Teams compete against each other based on seeding
  • Best of seven series format 
  • The first team to win four games advances to the next stage
  1. Conference Semifinals
  • Eight qualified teams from each conference—East (4) and West (4)
  • Best-of-seven series format
  • The first to win four games advances to the next round
  1. Conference Finals
  • Four qualified teams from each conference—East (2) and West (2)
  • Best of seven series format 
  • The first to win four games advances to the next round 
  • Winner crowned Conference champions 
  1. NBA Finals
  • Two teams remain (Eastern Conference champions vs Western Conference champions)
  • Best of seven series format 
  • The first to win four games is crowned the NBA champion 

Key First Round Matches To Watch Out For

cunningham and duren pictured during an nba clash

Eastern Conference 

  1. Detroit Pistons (1st) vs Play-In Qualifier (8th)

The Detroit Pistons clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference after a 60-22 record in the 2025-26 NBA regular season. This is a significant achievement for a side that had been under the spotlight for the wrong reasons after losing 28 games in a row just two seasons back. The Pistons are making their second consecutive appearance in the postseason. 

  1. Cleveland Cavaliers (4th) vs Toronto Raptors (5th)

The Cleveland Cavaliers are participating in the NBA Playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, while the Toronto Raptors are appearing at this stage for the first time since the 2021-22 season. The two teams met three times in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, and it's the Raptors who have the upper hand after edging the season series 3-0. Their first matchup is set to take place this Saturday afternoon. Don't be left behind and check out our Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors prediction for more insights into the game

  1. New York Knicks (3rd) vs Atlanta Hawks (6th)

The New York Knicks are participating in the NBA Playoffs for the fourth consecutive time. The bar has been set high, and that's to go all the way and be crowned NBA champions and end a championship drought dating back to 1973. As for the Atlanta Hawks, they are appearing at this stage for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

  1. Boston Celtics (2nd) vs Play-In Qualifier (7th)

The Boston Celtics are currently on their longest run of consecutive appearances in the NBA Playoffs. Their current participation marks the 12th postseason appearance. They lead all NBA franchises with 18 titles, with their last triumph in this competition dating back to 2024 when they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals.

Western Conference

  1. Oklahoma City Thunder (1st) vs Play-In Qualifier (8th)

The Oklahoma City Thunder finished as the Western Conference's No. 1 seed for the third time running. For that, they are making their third consecutive appearance in the NBA Playoffs and have home-court advantage. The Thunder are the current reigning NBA champions after clinching the title in the previous season, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the NBA finals. 

  1. Los Angeles Lakers (4th) vs Houston Rockets (5th)

The Los Angeles Lakers are making their fourth consecutive appearance in the NBA Playoffs, while the Houston Rockets are on a run of two consecutive postseason appearances. The Lakers had the Rockets' number in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, winning two of their last three games in the series.

  1. Denver Nuggets (3rd) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (6th)

The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves are making their NBA Playoff appearances for the eighth and fifth consecutive season, respectively. The Nuggets are the only team to have been crowned NBA champions, and that was in the 2022-23 season. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are still dreaming of appearing in their first NBA Finals in franchise history, with their best playoff run being reaching the Western Conference Finals in the 2023-24 season.

  1. San Antonio Spurs (2nd) vs Play-In Qualifier (7th)

The San Antonio Spurs had a terrific 2025-26 NBA regular season. They clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference standings, which was more than enough to see them secure their spot in the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2019. The five-time NBA champions have a point to prove, and that's to clinch the title that has eluded them for the past 12 years.

NBA Playoffs: Game 1 Schedule

18 April 2026

  • Raptors at Cavaliers (13:00)
  • Timberwolves at Nuggets (15:30)
  • Hawks at Knicks (18:00)
  • Rockets at Lakers (20:30)

19 April 2026

  • East No. 7 seed at Celtics (13:00)
  • West No. 8 seed at Thunder (15:30)
  • East No. 8 seed at Pistons  (18:30)
  • West No. 7 seed at Spurs (21:00)