NBA Playoff Race Heats Up With Clinching Scenarios

With the 2026 NBA playoffs beginning April 18, 20 teams have secured postseason spots, leaving 10 eliminated from contention. The top six teams in each conference have earned playoff berths, while the next four will compete in the play-in tournament April 14-17 for the final two seeds. Thursday features six crucial games with multiple teams on the verge of clinching playoff positions.

In the Western Conference, Oklahoma City (60-16), San Antonio (58-18), Los Angeles Lakers (50-26), and Denver (49-28) have clinched playoff berths. The Houston Rockets can clinch with a Suns loss. In the East, Detroit (55-21), Boston (51-25), and New York (49-28) have secured spots. The Cavaliers can clinch with a win. Teams are battling for seeding as the regular season concludes.