Scottie Barnes and the Raptors secure the final guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after defeating the Brooklyn Nets. (Getty Images)
Postseason Guide
Sunday’s Scores 🏀
Timberwolves 132, Pelicans 126
Final Regular Season Standings 👇
Denver edges out the Lakers for the 3-seed in the West, setting up a series with the Minnesota Timberwolves who eliminated them from the playoffs last year. The Rockets will battle with the Lakers in round one, pitting future Hall of Famers LeBron James and Kevin Durant against each other one more time.
THE BRACKET IS SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/bqSnxeDnzv
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
Toronto hopes to prove their capable of making noise as well against a Cleveland group that’s been a fixture in the playoffs in recent years. Lastly Atlanta used an incredible late-season push to secure the 6-seed and a first-round date with the New York Knicks.
Here’s a look at the schedule for games when the postseason begins on Saturday, April 18. The Kia Play-In begins this Tuesday.
📢 First Round: Game 1 Schedule ⬇️
The NBA Playoffs presented by @Google begin Saturday, April 18. pic.twitter.com/Xu2eiP8CXZ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 13, 2026
11:00 pm / April 12
Portland secures 8-seed ☑️
The Trail Blazers are one step closer to ending their playoff drought. It’s been four years since Portland’s last trip to the postseason. They’ll now face Phoenix to try and secure the 7-seed in one of two chances to secure a playoff spot.
Deni hits the trey 👌 pic.twitter.com/sbx3nvhUFN
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 13, 2026
A Blazer game day is not complete without a Rob lob pic.twitter.com/aq5wNqTMLC
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 13, 2026
10:45 pm / April 12
Nembhard makes rookie history 🙌
Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd had a front row seat to see his Mavericks rookie assists record be broken. Kidd passes the torch to Ryan Nembhard after the Gonzaga point guard registered his 18th assist. The undrafted rookie would finish with 23 assists total over Chicago.
RYAN NEMBHARD RECORDS HIS 18th ASSIST!
He sets a new Mavericks rookie record, passing his coach, Jason Kidd (17 on Mar. 13, 1995) 🤯 pic.twitter.com/L5jdo652Ds
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
10:10 pm / April 12
Vintage 3rd quarter Steph 📺
Stephen Curry is feeling it and appears to be in top shape after returning from a knee injury.
Steph making plays on both ends 👏
Blocks the shot.
Sinks the triple.He’s got a game-high 19 PTS! pic.twitter.com/zO5Vv5TgL7
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
10:04 pm / April 12
Poster on Joker 😨
Carter Bryant continues to spread his wings in his rookie campaign, literally and figuratively speaking. Though his team is down in the second half, this emphatic jam over the three-time MVP has to come with a boost of confidence.
Power forward.
Jam it home.What a dunk from Carter Bryant! https://t.co/GdlBwJMb99 pic.twitter.com/9UwZ9qG05s
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
9:51 pm / April 12
Buzzer-Beaters galore at the break ⏳
- Mavericks 80, Bulls 56
- Trail Blazers 77, Kings 57
Deni races up the court and finds Thybulle for 3 at the buzzer 🎯
Portland can clinch the 8-seed in the West with a win! pic.twitter.com/B9AwSpKGtR
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
- Timberwolves 73, Pelicans 59
- Suns 73, Thunder 52
BOUYEA AT THE BUZZER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lJTAEjE7qC
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) April 13, 2026
- Lakers 62, Jazz 45
- Nuggets 70, Spurs 56
Fox beats the buzzer from near-half-court 🔥
He hit 4 threes in the first half! pic.twitter.com/RDdi8mCRvb
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
- Rockets 66, Grizzlies 45
- Clippers 52, Warriors 48
Brandin at the buzzer 💥
📺 @NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/bqnHafMTye
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 13, 2026
9:40 pm / April 12
Wind sprints 💨
LeBron James is showing off the stamina, even at 41-years-old. James has 18 points, four rebounds and six assists as LA leads Utah at the break. Rui Hachimura is tied with LeBron for the game-high in scoring, after knocking three first-half triples.
This is Year 23 conditioning 🏃 pic.twitter.com/d1dwh5nksk
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 13, 2026
9:30 pm / April 12
Flagg exits early in rookie finale ⚠️
Cooper Flagg has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the game after leaving the court with a noticeable limp. It’s a deflating end to what was a miraculous rookie campaign, including the league’s first 50-point performance as a teenager.
Cooper Flagg left the floor in the Mavs’ final game with an apparent limp after this play. pic.twitter.com/QFt9IZiLH8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 13, 2026
In his absence, Klay Thompson is going on a solo run, sinking four threes in the first half as the Mavericks take an 80-56 lead into the break.
KLAY IS COOKIN’ ♨️
📺: KFAA https://t.co/0dq6ZVNU47 pic.twitter.com/ZsGBbBrGUM
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) April 13, 2026
9:10 pm / April 12
Halfway there
THE EASTERN CONFERENCE POSTSEASON PICTURE IS SET 🚨
1. Pistons
2. Celtics
3. Knicks
4. Cavaliers
5. Raptors
6. Hawks
7. 76ers
8. Magic
9. Hornets
10. HeatThe @SoFi Play-In Tournament tips off 4/14.
The NBA Playoffs presented by @Google tip off 4/18.— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
9:00 pm / April 12
Celts hold off Magic, Orlando drops to 8th
Boston’s performance today is a testament to the culture instilled by Head Coach Joe Mazzulla. With the entire starting lineup resting, and Play-In Tournament seeding at stake for Orlando, Boston’s reserves delivered a standout performance en route to the victory. Philadelphia will host the Magic as both teams ended the year with a 45-37 record.
The Magic and 76ers will face each other in the play-in tournament after Toronto locks up the last guaranteed playoff spot in the East.
Who grabs the 7-seed? 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qxAJty1BWF
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 13, 2026
Luka dagger ☘
Baylor Sheirman and Ron Harper Jr. did the heavy lifting through the first three quarters in the scoring department, but Orlando clawed back from a double-digi deficit in the fourth. Luka garza drilled what would be the game-sealing triple in fron tof the home crowd.
LUKA GARZA WITH THE CLUTCH THREE 👌 pic.twitter.com/Us1rzMqYso
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 13, 2026
8:45 pm / April 12
Doc Rivers out as Bucks HC 🚨
Doc Rivers is departing his role as Head Coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Shams Charania, after finishing the season with a 30-52 record. Rivers began the role in January of 2024, and led the Bucks to consecutive first-round playoff exits before ending this season out of the postseason altogether.
8:40 pm / April 12
Clips-Dubs headline late tip-offs
This is a potential preview of the Play-In Tournament as the Clippers and Warriors occupy the final two postseason seeds in the Western Conference. A loss by the Portland Trail Blazers would allow the Clippers a chance to move out of the elimination game and into the 8th spot.
Starting 5️⃣ vs. Warriors
🏀 Darius Garland
🏀 Kris Dunn
🏀 Derrick Jones Jr.
🏀 John Collins
🏀 Brook Lopez pic.twitter.com/M08ThbjXoD— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 13, 2026
Last five of the regular season. pic.twitter.com/WpzPF9wigy
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 13, 2026
8:23 pm / April 12
Philly takes care of business ✔️
With the win over Milwaukee, Philadelphia earns its 45th win of the regular season. Their place is already locked for the Play-In Tournament, but the could now steal home-court advantage against Orlando if the Magic fail to comeback against the Celtics.
DUB. pic.twitter.com/kkLikdRlra
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 13, 2026
8:12 pm / April 12
Celtics reserves flip game in 3Q 😳
One handed slam & new career high sounds like a pretty good birthday to us 🙂↕️ pic.twitter.com/81oEkbC4d8
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 12, 2026
Ron Harper Jr. has 27 points on the night, while Baylor Scheirman has 30 – both career highs. The duo have 11 combined made threes as Boston more than doubled Orlando’s third-quarter scoring, winning the period 42-20 and grabbing a double-digit lead going into the fourth.
12 to play pic.twitter.com/33gBD8KEm5
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 13, 2026
A loss for Orlando would likely result in losing home-court advantage for the 7-8 matchup with the 76ers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament.
7:53 pm / April 12
Flashy on the break 💫
Jaime Jaquez has quite the highlight reel of scoring off the bench this season already, and he’s generated one more to add to the collection in game 82.
Describe this play in one word https://t.co/RmLf7fhjdT pic.twitter.com/tdDFtgKrj7
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 12, 2026
7:43 pm / April 12
Fun finish on the way
Washington trailed by nine at the half, but some hot shooting from deep trimmed Cleveland’s lead throughout the frame. All of Cleveland’s heavy-hitters are resting, but there are still 11 combined double-digit scorers in this one.
Triples on triples on triples 👌 pic.twitter.com/NuEAlvwTwW
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 12, 2026
7:35 pm / April 12
Tale of two seasons
The Detroit Pistons put together their highest scoring half in more than 40 years tonight against the Pacers. Cade Cunningham is playing as he continues to round into shape following his absence from a collapsed lung.
He has 14 assists while Tobias Harris and Paul Reed have combined for 50 points already. Harris is 4-4 from three-point range. Detroit will end the year with the East’s best record while the Pacers are next to the bottom.
Elite ball movement from Detroit 👏
They scored 81 PTS in the first half, the most in any half by a Pistons team in the PxP era (since 1997-98)! pic.twitter.com/0cpkcsa9U1
— NBA (@NBA) April 12, 2026
First time scoring 80+ points in a half since 1982‼️
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) April 12, 2026
7:30 pm / April 12
Hali thanks the fans 👏
The Pacers trail by double-digits at halftime, which is unfortunately familiar sight this season. Tyrese Haliburton offered appreciation to the audience before tip-off, as Indiana’s star was sidelined all 82 games recovering from a torn achilles suffered in last year’s NBA Finals.
“Don’t get used to the Pacers not playing in April, May and June.”
Tyrese Haliburton to Pacers fans before their last game of the season. pic.twitter.com/0T4XVLtjZh
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 12, 2026
7:23 pm / April 12
Splash Bros 2.0 ☔️
LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel have combined for eight made triples tonight, pushing Charlotte in front of New York in the second half. A win for the Hornets seals them into 9th place, giving them home-court advantage in the first round of the Play-In Tournament.
splash zone 💦 #HiveMentality@MELOD1P | 📹 @FDSN_Hornets x @Lowes pic.twitter.com/sLC708KmVa
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) April 12, 2026
The sharpshooting duo joined elite company in the process.
HISTORY FOR KON AND LAMELO 🚨
KON: 273 3PM (1st in NBA, first rookie in NBA history to lead the league)
LAMELO: 272 3PM (2nd in NBA)Charlotte’s duo becomes the 2nd pair of teammates, joining Steph Curry & Klay Thompson (4x, 2013–17), to finish top 2 in 3PM! pic.twitter.com/zeaMe2ux7k
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2026
7:16 pm / April 12
AJ Green makes Bucks history 🔥
The Milwaukee Bucks record holder for made threes in a single season now belongs to AJ Green. He eclipsed 230 in the first half, and isn’t done as he has five already at the break. His team trails Philadelphia when play resumes.
AJ’s got a game-high 19 PTS and 5 3PM at the break. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ymZWhrFo1e
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 12, 2026
7:06 pm / April 12
Heat lead Hawks at halftime
Bam Adebayo is up to 17 points for Miami, as the Heat look to end the season on a high note. Atlanta has a one-game edge as of now on Orlando and Toronto for the fifth seed, meaning a loss could determine how the Play-In Tournament fills out. Miami is 10th, meanwhile, one game behind Charlotte.
Up at half pic.twitter.com/ryFNYVHXGb
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 12, 2026
Zaccharie Risacher is putting together a well-rounded game with seven points and five boards.
Another dunk for Zacch! pic.twitter.com/89ch1LUNJp
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 12, 2026
6:50 pm / April 12
Perfect attendance 🏅
Mikal Bridges’ iron man streak stays intact as he checks in-and-out of New York’s regular season finale.
Mikal Bridges played in his 638th consecutive game and checked out 23 seconds in 😂
That’s the longest active streak in the NBA 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3hdIw8DUea
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 12, 2026
Desmond Bane was honored pre-game by the Magic as he suits up for his 82nd game this season. Bane was acquired in the offseason by Orlando in a trade that sent a four first-round picks to the Grizzlies.
.@OrlandoMagic guard @DBane0625 is one of only four players in the @NBA to play and start in all 82 games this season.
Bane is the first Orlando player since Dwight Howard in 2009-10 to start in all 82 games. pic.twitter.com/dyxUUNuDet
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) April 12, 2026
6:40 pm / April 12
Magic looking for 6th straight W
Franz Wagner sunk this three below in the first quarter, and hit another to open up scoring in the second. He’s up to 11 points as the streaking Magic hope to carry momentum into the postseason. This is Wagner’s sixth game since returning from an extended absence due to a high-ankle sprain.
Boston is resting all of its starters after already clinching the 2-seed in the East.
Franz Wagner corner three 👌 pic.twitter.com/NNPUQ85V1N
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 12, 2026
