The NBA playoffs are right around the corner and all 20 postseason teams have clinched their spot. Now all that remains is for seeding to be decided and top-six playoff spots to be earned before the play-in tournament.
The 2025-26 postseason begins April 14 as the three-day SoFi NBA play-in tournament rounds out the remaining playoff picture. The playoffs officially start April 18 and run through mid-June.
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the first team to clinch a postseason spot after beating the Dallas Mavericks on March 1, improving to 47-15. If the Thunder can hold off the San Antonio Spurs and capture the No. 1 spot, it will be the second straight season they finish as the top seed in the Western Conference. The Spurs became the second team to clinch in early March.
We’ll continue to track as teams secure spots in the playoffs and solidify their seeding.
Eastern Conference
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot, Central Division title, No. 1 seed
The Pistons have clinched a playoff spot amid a dominant run through the Eastern Conference. It’s the first time they’ve made the playoffs in consecutive years since an eight-year run ended in 2009. The last time they were the top seed in the East was 2006-07.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot
The Celtics have clinched a playoff spot for the 12th consecutive season, the longest active streak in the NBA. This playoff appearance comes only two seasons after the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, claiming the franchise’s 18th championship.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot
New York hasn’t won an NBA championship since 1973 and hasn’t made an NBA Finals appearance since 1999. The Knicks came close last season, when they faced the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot
Cleveland will take part in the postseason for the fourth consecutive year, their longest stretch without LeBron James since the 1990s.
What they’ve clinched: At least a spot in the play-in tournament
Toronto will at least take part in the play-in tournament. The Raptors haven’t made the playoffs since 2022.
What they’ve clinched: At least a spot in the play-in tournament
Atlanta has taken part in the play-in tournament every year since 2022, but failed to advance out of the play-in in both 2024 and 2025.
What they’ve clinched: At least a spot in the play-in tournament
After missing the playoffs last year, the 76ers will be back in the postseason. Philadelphia is still looking to advance beyond the second round for the first time since 2001.
What they’ve clinched: At least a spot in the play-in tournament
Orlando has reached the playoffs each of the past two seasons, but failed to win a series either time.
What they’ve clinched: At least a spot in the play-in tournament
In 2023, Miami became the first team to advance from the play-in tournament all the way to the NBA Finals. The Heat have been in the play-in the past three seasons.
What they’ve clinched: At least a spot in the play-in tournament
This will be the first time since 2022 that Charlotte participates in the postseason. The Hornets are 0-2 in play-in games and haven’t made the playoffs since 2016.
Western Conference
What they’ve clinched: A spot in the playoffs, a top-two seed, Northwest Division title
The Oklahoma City Thunder became the first team to clinch at least a playoff spot March 1 with a win over the Dallas Mavericks. They can finish no worse than second in the West.
Last season, the Thunder battled through the playoffs and won the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City is attempting to become the first back-to-back champion since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
What they’ve clinched: A spot in the playoffs, a top-two seed, Southwest Division title
The San Antonio Spurs can finish no worse than second in the West. The 2018-19 season was the last time San Antonio made the playoffs, finishing as the No. 7 seed before losing in the first round to the Denver Nuggets.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot, Pacific division title
This will be LeBron James’ 19th postseason appearance in his 23-year career.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot
The Nuggets have clinched their eighth consecutive trip to the playoffs. This comes three seasons after Nikola Jokic & Co. won the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat in five games.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot
This will be the 14th postseason appearance for Kevin Durant and his first with the Houston Rockets.
What they’ve clinched: A playoff spot
The Timberwolves will look to return to the Western Conference finals for the third consecutive time after being eliminated by the Thunder and Mavericks during the previous two postseasons.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot (they cannot qualify directly for the playoffs)
The Suns last made it to the NBA Finals in 2021, when they faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks and lost in six games despite taking a 2-0 series lead.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot (they cannot qualify directly for the playoffs)
The Clippers’ only previous play-in appearance came in 2022, when they went 0-2 and missed the playoffs for just the second time in the past 14 seasons.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot (they cannot qualify directly for the playoffs)
Portland hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021. In 2020, the Blazers beat the Grizzlies in the first ever play-in game, held in the NBA’s bubble.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot as the 10-seed
The Warriors have made three previous play-in appearances, losing two games in 2021 and one in 2024 before winning in 2025 to advance to the playoffs.
