When is the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament, schedule, standings, Updated bracket, dates, matchups, times
This year marks the sixth time under its current format that the NBA Play-In Tournament will be held.The tournament gives teams on the bubble a second chance to punch their ticket to the NBA Playoffs. It expands the postseason field to the top 10 teams in each conference. Any statistics recorded during the Play-In games do not count toward official regular season or playoff records.
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The Play-In Tournament features the teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference. It determines the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds — the final two playoff berths in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket & Matchups
Eastern Conference Play-In
No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (45-37) vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic (45-37)
No. 9 Charlotte Hornets (44-38) vs. No. 10 Miami Heat (43-39)
Western Conference Play-In
No. 7 Phoenix Suns (45-37) vs. No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers (42-40)
No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers (42-40) vs. No. 10 Golden State Warriors (37-45)
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
(All Times ET)
Tuesday, April 14
7:30 p.m. — (10) Miami Heat at (9) Charlotte Hornets – Amazon Prime Video
10:00 p.m. — (8) Portland Trail Blazers at (7) Phoenix Suns – Amazon Prime Video
Wednesday, April 15
7:30 p.m. — (8) Orlando Magic at (7) Philadelphia 76ers – Amazon Prime Video
10:00 p.m. — (10) Golden State Warriors at (9) Los Angeles Clippers – Amazon Prime Video
Friday, April 17
7:30 p.m. — East: Winner of Heat/Hornets vs. Loser of Magic/76ers – Amazon Prime Video
10:00 p.m. — West: Winner of Warriors/Clippers vs. Loser of Trail Blazers/Suns – Amazon Prime Video
How the 2026 Play-In Format Works
Winners of the 7 vs. 8 games earn the No. 7 seed and advance directly to the playoffs.
Losers of the 7 vs. 8 games face the winners of the 9 vs. 10 games for the No. 8 seed.
Losers of the 9 vs. 10 games are eliminated.
How to Watch the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament
TV/Streaming: All games will air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
You can stream the games live on the Prime Video app or website with an active Prime subscription.
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket & Matchups
Eastern Conference Play-In
No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers (45-37) vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic (45-37)
No. 9 Charlotte Hornets (44-38) vs. No. 10 Miami Heat (43-39)
Western Conference Play-In
No. 7 Phoenix Suns (45-37) vs. No. 8 Portland Trail Blazers (42-40)
No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers (42-40) vs. No. 10 Golden State Warriors (37-45)
2026 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule
(All Times ET)
Tuesday, April 14
7:30 p.m. — (10) Miami Heat at (9) Charlotte Hornets – Amazon Prime Video
10:00 p.m. — (8) Portland Trail Blazers at (7) Phoenix Suns – Amazon Prime Video
Wednesday, April 15
7:30 p.m. — (8) Orlando Magic at (7) Philadelphia 76ers – Amazon Prime Video
10:00 p.m. — (10) Golden State Warriors at (9) Los Angeles Clippers – Amazon Prime Video
Friday, April 17
7:30 p.m. — East: Winner of Heat/Hornets vs. Loser of Magic/76ers – Amazon Prime Video
10:00 p.m. — West: Winner of Warriors/Clippers vs. Loser of Trail Blazers/Suns – Amazon Prime Video
How the 2026 Play-In Format Works
Winners of the 7 vs. 8 games earn the No. 7 seed and advance directly to the playoffs.
Losers of the 7 vs. 8 games face the winners of the 9 vs. 10 games for the No. 8 seed.
Losers of the 9 vs. 10 games are eliminated.
How to Watch the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament
TV/Streaming: All games will air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
You can stream the games live on the Prime Video app or website with an active Prime subscription.
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