2026 NBA playoff bracket: Matchups, schedule with Rockets, Nuggets, Suns on brink of elimination
The 2026 NBA playoffs are underway with eight first-round matchups
By
Brad Botkin
Apr 25, 2026
at
11:37 pm ET
•
3 min read
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports
One week of 2026 NBA playoff action is in the books, and fans have already been treated to some memorable moments. LeBron James has turned back the clock and pushed the Lakers to a 3-0 series lead against the Rockets, giving L.A. the chance to sweep on Sunday night. CJ McCollum has drawn the ire of the Madison Square Garden crowd and hit some huge shots as the Hawks have put up a strong fight against the Knicks in a series that New York evened up on Saturday.
Elsewhere, the Nuggets are in trouble. Denver and Nikola Jokić are down 3-1 in their series against the Timberwolves after dropping Saturday’s Game 4, a contest that saw the Wolves lose both Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injury. The Suns are also on the brink of elimination, as the reigning champion Thunder took a 3-0 series lead against Phoenix on Saturday.
Four more games are set for Sunday: Cavaliers-Raptors, Celtics-76ers, Spurs-Trail Blazers and Rockets-Lakers. While the Lakers are going for a sweep, the higher-seeded Cavs, Celtics and Spurs are all trying to take 3-1 series leads on the road.
The postseason field was already trimmed from 20 teams to 16 as the Play-In Tournament wrapped up earlier this month. 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
Keytron Jordan, CBS Sports
2026 NBA playoffs schedule
All times Eastern. Games on ABC and ESPN are streaming on fubo (Try for free).
Saturday, April 18
Game 1: No. 4 Cavaliers 126, No. 5 Raptors 113
Game 1: No. 3 Nuggets 116, No. 6 Timberwolves 105
Game 1: No. 3 Knicks 112, No. 6 Hawks 102
Game 1: No. 4 Lakers 107, No. 5 Rockets 98
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 120, Suns 107
Thursday, April 23
Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108
Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavaliers 104
Game 3: Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96
Friday, April 24
Game 3: Celtics 108, 76ers 100
Game 3: Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT)
Game 3: Spurs 120, Trail Blazers 108
Saturday, April 25
Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 3: Thunder 121, Suns 109
Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98
Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 96
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
