2023 NBA Playoff Schedule And Season's Key Dates

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The 2025-26 NBA season builds toward an intense postseason, beginning in mid-April and running through June. Here is the complete and accurate NBA Playoffs 2026 timeline, from the end of the regular season to a potential Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

What are the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA Playoffs are the league’s annual postseason tournament that determines the NBA champion. First held in 1947, the playoffs now feature 16 teams, four rounds, and best-of-seven series throughout. Since 2020, the playoffs have been preceded by the NBA Play-In Tournament.

When do the 2026 NBA Playoffs start?

The 2026 NBA Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

• Regular season ends: Sunday, April 12
• Play-In Tournament: April 14-17
• Playoffs tip off the next day: April 18
• First-round games will be played on April 18 or April 19

When does the NBA Play-In Tournament take place?

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament runs from Tuesday, April 14, through Friday, April 17, 2026, determining the final two playoff seeds in each conference.

How many teams make the NBA Playoffs?

• 20 teams qualify for postseason play (Play-In + Playoffs)
• 4 teams are eliminated in the Play-In Tournament
• 16 teams total advance to the NBA Playoffs, 8 from the Eastern Conference, 8 from the Western Conference

Note: There are no byes or wild cards.

How do teams qualify for the playoffs?

• Seeds 1-6 in each conference qualify automatically
• Seeds 7-10 compete in the Play-In Tournament
• The Play-In produces the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds

How does the NBA Play-In format work?

• 7 vs 8: Winner becomes the No. 7 seed
• 9 vs 10: Loser is eliminated
• Loser of 7/8 vs Winner of 9/10: Winner becomes the No. 8 seed

Note: The Play-In is officially separate from the NBA Playoffs.

How many rounds are in the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA Playoffs consist of four rounds:

1. First Round
2. Conference Semifinals
3. Conference Finals
4. NBA Finals

Note: Each round is played as a best-of-seven series.

What is the playoff series format?

All playoff series follow the 2-2-1-1-1 format:

• Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7
• Lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and 6
• Games 5, 6, and 7 are played only if necessary

Note: Teams are not reseeded once the playoffs begin.

When do the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals start?

• Conference Semifinals: TBD
• Conference Finals: TBD

Exact dates are announced once the earlier playoff rounds conclude.

When do the NBA Finals start?

The NBA Finals 2026 are scheduled to begin on June 3, 2026, with a potential Game 7 on June 19.

1. June 3: NBA Finals Game 1 – 8:30 p.m. ET
2. June 5: NBA Finals Game 2 – 8:30 p.m. ET
3. June 8: NBA Finals Game 3 – 8:30 p.m. ET
4. June 10: NBA Finals Game 4 – 8:30 p.m. ET
5. June 13: NBA Finals Game 5 – if necessary
6. June 16: NBA Finals Game 6 – if necessary
7. June 19: NBA Finals Game 7 – if necessary

How long can the 2026 NBA Playoffs last?

• Start: April 18, 2026
• Latest possible end date: June 19, 2026

That’s nearly two months of postseason basketball.

Where can fans check playoff matchups and schedules?

Once the regular season ends:

• Full playoff brackets
• Game dates and times
• Series scores and probabilities

will be available immediately on the official NBA standings and playoff schedule pages.

The NBA Playoffs 2026 deliver the same proven format fans love: high-stakes Play-In drama, four rounds of best-of-seven series, and a Finals that can stretch deep into June. Every game matters, and there are no shortcuts to the championship.

• Schedule
• Bracket
• Standings
• Play-In Tournament

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