The 2026 NBA postseason has begun. The regular season ended on Sunday with all 30 teams in action. Agora, 20 teams are competing for Troféu Larry O’Brien, with the repechage tournament underway to determine the last spots. The play-in began on Tuesday, April 14, with four games that decide the eighth place in each conference.
Detroit Pistons leads Conferência Leste with the best campaign. Oklahoma City Thunder command Oeste as favorites for the title. Especialistas point to defensive strengths, returns from injuries and chemistry as decisive factors in the series that starts next week.
Conference Leste has clear favorites at the top
Detroit Pistons finished the regular season with 60 wins and 22 losses. The team stood out for its intense defense and positive points balance. Cade Cunningham, the team’s main name, recently returned from a collapsed lung and contributed a double-double in limited minutes. Os Pistons They wait for the eighth placed team to be selected in the repechage for the first round.
The franchise is experiencing a moment of ascension after recent bad campaigns. The young squad shows intensity on both sides of the court. Cunningham leads in points and assists, but the attack still depends on complementary options with little playoff experience.
Boston Celtics appears as second place with 56 victories. Jayson Tatum He returned from a serious injury and is looking to recover his best level. Jaylen Brown leads the score. The pivot rotation, with names like Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Nikola Vucevic, will be tested against more physical opponents.
New York Knicks occupy third position with 53 wins. Jalen Brunson commands the attack, while Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson reinforce the den. The team changed coaches and prioritized size and rebounding for the postseason.
Cleveland Cavaliers is fourth with 52 wins. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden form an experienced duo. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen complete the main quartet. The team is looking for integration after just a few matches with everyone available together.
Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks round out the top six with 46 wins each. Scottie Barnes gains prominence in Raptors. Jalen Johnson leads Hawks after exchanges involving Trae Young.
Repechage defines last vacancies on Leste
Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic face each other in the playoffs. Tyrese Maxey carries the 76ers, with Joel Embiid and Paul George in uncertain health status. Orlando counts on Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and the arrival of Desmond Bane to improve long-distance shooting.
Charlotte Hornets faces Miami Heat in another playoff game. Os Hornets arrives packed after a good second half of the season, with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller in the spotlight. Miami bets on Erik Spoelstra’s experience and Bam Adebayo’s defense, even without Jimmy Butler.
- Philadelphia 76ers versus Orlando Magic
- Charlotte Hornets versus Miami Heat
- Winners compete for the eighth spot against the loser of the other match
Conference Oeste has Thunder as a big favorite
Oklahoma City Thunder leads Oeste with 64 wins and 18 losses. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the main name, with an average of over 30 points. Chet Holmgren protects the bottle, while Jalen Williams seeks to regain rhythm after injuries. The team defends the title and has a deep squad.
San Antonio Spurs appears second with 62 victories. Victor Wembanyama Leads as MVP candidate despite season-ending rib injury. The young squad, with Stephon Castle and others, shows speed, but needs to adapt the pace for playoff games.
Denver Nuggets occupy third position. Nikola Jokic Still dominant. Jamal Murray Seeks redemption after past series. Aaron Gordon He is a key player in defense and chemistry.
Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets complete the top five. Lakers count on LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves despite recent injuries. Houston has Kevin Durant as a highlight after exchanges.
Minnesota Timberwolves faces Nuggets in the first round. Anthony Edwards leads the attack, with Rudy Gobert in the bottle.
Repechage on Oeste also defines clashes
Phoenix Suns receives Portland Trail Blazers. Devin Booker and the new coach Jordan Ott transformed the Suns defense. Portland bets on the youth of Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan and Deni Avdija.
LA Clippers faces Golden State Warriors. Kawhi Leonard is going through a good phase, while Stephen Curry tries to take Warriors forward despite the irregular record.
- Phoenix Suns versus Portland Trail Blazers
- LA Clippers versus Golden State Warriors
- Winners advance to face Spurs or Thunder in the first round
Main questions and players to watch
Injuries mark entry into the playoffs. Cunningham returns to Pistons. Tatum seeks full form at Celtics. Wembanyama plays with rib pain. Edwards and others deal with knee problems at Minnesota.
Defense decides many series. Pistons and Thunder lead in defensive efficiency. Celtics and Spurs also show strength on that side of the court. Ataques fluid, with many assists, appear in Hawks and Hornets.
Experience versus youth defines several confrontations. Knicks and Cavaliers bring veterans like Harden and Towns. Spurs and Thunder bet on young cores with high potential.
- Teams with the best points balance in the regular season
- Teams that won the most after being behind in the last quarter
- Leaders in steals and blocks
- Highest average assists per game
- Highlights in counterattack points
The first round of the playoffs begins on Friday, April 18th. The repechage tournament ends on Friday, April 17th, with the last decisive games. Todas The first phase series are the best of seven games, with a home court advantage for the best placed teams.
Technical sheet of the main teams
Detroit Pistons: 60-22, elite defense, depend on Cunningham healthy. Oklahoma City Thunder: 64-18, title favorites, squad depth. Boston Celtics: 56-26, rotation of pivots in test, Tatum in return. San Antonio Spurs: 62-20, fast pace, Wembanyama as a star. New York Knicks: 53-29, focus on size and rebounds under new coach.
The NBA Finals are scheduled for June. The way to get there involves adapting to the slower pace of the playoffs and managing injuries throughout the series.
