2026 NBA playoff bracket: Matchups, schedule as Warriors stay alive, 76ers advance to face Celtics
The 2026 NBA postseason continued Wednesday night, culminating with the Warriors’ thrilling comeback win over the Clippers
By
Brad Botkin
Apr 16, 2026
at
12:50 am ET
•
4 min read
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports
The 2026 NBA postseason continued with two games on Wednesday night, capped off by an incredible comeback from Stephen Curry and the Warriors. Curry led the way and was lifted by a fourth-quarter scoring outburst from Al Horford and lockdown defense from Draymond Green as the Warriors surged past the Clippers to keep their season alive. Next up is a meeting with the Suns on Friday with the West’s No. 8 seed on the line.
In the first game of the night, the 76ers pulled away late from the Magic behind a big night from Tyrese Maxey. With the win, Philadelphia officially earned the East’s No. 7 seed, setting up a first-round matchup with the Celtics.
The Magic, meanwhile, will return to the floor Friday with their season on the line against the Hornets, who moved on in the Play-In Tournament on Tuesday thanks to LaMelo Ball’s game-winning lay-up in overtime against the Heat. The winner will earn the No. 8 seed and move on to face the top-seeded Pistons.
Later on Tuesday night, the Trail Blazers used a late rally to beat the Suns in Phoenix and earn the West’s No. 7 seed. Portland will face Victor Wembanyama on Sunday in his playoff debut.
The postseason bracket now stands at 18 teams, and it will be trimmed to 16 by Friday night.
The first round of the playoffs will tip off on Saturday (April 18). The play-in will decide the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in both conferences, but we already know four of the eight first-round matchups. In the East, the No. 3 Knicks will face the No. 6 Hawks, and the No. 4 Cavaliers will go up against the No. 5 Raptors. In the West, it’s the Nuggets against the Timberwolves in the conference’s 3-6 matchup, and the Lakers facing the Rockets in the 4-5.
Here’s a look at the now official 2026 NBA playoff bracket.
2026 NBA playoff bracket
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports
2026 NBA Playoff Picture
NBA postseason bracket
East first round No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 8 TBD No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 76ers No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Hawks No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Raptors
West first round No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 TBD No. 2 Spurs vs. No. 7 Trail Blazers No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Timberwolves No. 4 Lakers vs. No. 5 Rockets
