When Do the 2026 NBA Playoffs Start? Full Schedule and Postseason Breakdown
The 2026 NBA Playoffs officially begin on Saturday, April 18, 2026, kicking off the traditional best-of-seven first-round series with eight matchups (four per conference).This date follows immediately after the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, creating minimal downtime and building maximum momentum into the main postseason.
2026 NBA Postseason Timeline: Key Dates and Structure
Here's a detailed breakdown of the full schedule and how the postseason unfolds:Regular Season End Date
- Sunday, April 12, 2026
All 30 teams play on the final day, with staggered start times (Eastern Conference games at ~1 p.m. ET, Western/cross-conference at ~3:30 p.m. ET) to heighten drama in playoff seeding and Play-In races.
- Monday, April 13, 2026 (3 p.m. ET)
Teams finalize playoff-eligible rosters—no further additions or waivers allowed.
- Tuesday, April 14 – Friday, April 17, 2026
Determines the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference.
Format Recap:- April 14–15: No. 7 vs. No. 8 (winner secures No. 7 seed; loser advances for another shot).
- No. 9 vs. No. 10 (winner advances; loser eliminated).
- April 17: Loser of 7/8 vs. winner of 9/10 for the final No. 8 seed.
All games stream exclusively on Prime Video.
- Saturday, April 18, 2026
First-round games begin (some may extend to April 19 for scheduling). The top six seeds per conference earn direct entry, with Play-In winners filling the No. 7 and No. 8 spots.
Projected Dates for Later Rounds (Based on Recent Patterns)
- Conference Semifinals: Early May 2026 (~May 4–6 start, depending on first-round series length).
- Conference Finals: Mid-to-late May 2026 (~May 18–20 start).
- 2026 NBA Finals: Thursday, June 4, 2026 (Game 1).
- Potential Game 7: Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Why the 2026 NBA Playoffs Start in Mid-April
The NBA structures the postseason this way to ensure the Finals conclude before late June, avoiding conflicts with summer events and allowing players recovery time. A mid-April start keeps the playoffs compact and exciting—roughly two months from first round to champion.The 2025-26 season follows this proven blueprint, as confirmed by official NBA sources, Wikipedia, ESPN, and other major outlets.
Current 2025-26 NBA Season Update
As of January 2026, we're deep into the regular season, with standings constantly shifting. The battles for top seeds and Play-In avoidance will heat up over the coming months!If you're planning to watch or attend games, playoff tickets typically go on sale near the regular season's end.Excited for the 2026 NBA Playoffs? Which team are you rooting for this year?
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