The 2026 NBA Playoff Schedule begins on Saturday, April 18th, 2026. The playoffs will end at the NBA Finals, which will begin Thursday, June 4th, 2026. Before the playoffs, the NBA will hold a play-in tournament between #7 to #10 seed at each meeting. The outcome of these games is that the winner is #7 and #8 seeds for their respective meeting brackets.
*Note: All dates listed are assumed based on the 2025 NBA Playoff Schedule. Once the NBA checks the dates, we’ll update them here for the 2026 NBA playoff schedule. After that, I’ll find out more 2025-26 NBA Schedule release.
When will the 2026 NBA playoffs begin?
2026 NBA Playoffs Start with the play-in tournament. The tournament will take place shortly after the regular season ends. The Play-In Tournament will be held from April 14th to 17th, 2026 this year. The first round of the NBA playoffs will begin on April 18, 2026. (preliminary)
2026 NBA Playoff Schedule
This is the 2026 NBA playoff schedule. In the NBA, there are four rounds of play in the postseason. The NBA can make its postseason schedule fluid between the first round and the final. In this way, if you see too many sweeps, you won’t be paused to the action.
- NBA Play-in Tournament: April 14-17, 2026
- NBA Playoffs – First Round: April 18-28
- Meeting Semi-finals: TBD
- Meeting Final: TBD
- NBA Finals June TBA
Once you’ve got all the confirmed seeds and brackets, update your NBA playoff schedule and sports brackets to follow the tournament.
When will the 2026 NBA Finals take place?
The 2026 NBA Finals will take place around June 4th to 21st, 2026 (if the series progresses to a complete seven-game game). These are another best of seven game contests. If the team wins four wins, they win the NBA Championship. Here you can check out all of the NBA Finals winners.
2026 NBA Play-In Schedule
This is the 2026 NBA play-in schedule. These dates are assumptions and are based on the 2024 NBA Play-In Schedule until revised by the NBA.
| date | game | Match | Results/Results |
| April 14th | 1 | East 7 vs East 8 | Winners get 7 seeds |
| April 14th | 2 | W7 vs W8 | Winners get 7 seeds |
| April 15th | 3 | East 9 vs East 10 | Winners play loser E7 vs E8 |
| April 15th | 4 | W9 vs W10 | Winners play loser E7 vs E8 |
| April 17th | 5 | e Loser 7/8 vs e Winner 9/10 | Winner earns 8 seeds |
| April 17th | 6 | W loser 7/8 vs W winner 9/10 | Winner earns 8 seeds |
2026 NBA Playoff Schedule
The 2026 NBA playoff schedule begins shortly after the play-in tournament ends.
2026 NBA Playoffs – First Round
| Match up | date | Time (et) | tv set |
| 1 seed vs 8 seed | April 19th TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Seed 2 vs. Seed 7 | April 19th TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Seed 3 vs. Seed 6 | April 19th TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 4 seeds vs 5 seeds | April 19th TBD | TBD | TBD |
2026 NBA Playoffs – Conference Semi-finals
| Match up | date | Time (et) | tv set |
| Winner 1-8 vs 4-5 | May 6th-7th | TBD | TBD |
| 2-7 winner vs 3-6 winner | May 6th-7th | TBD | TBD |
2026 NBA Playoffs – Conference Finals
| Match up | date | Time (et) | tv set |
| Winner 1-4-5-8 vs 2-3-6-7 | May 21st-22nd | TBD | TBD |
2026 NBA Playoffs – Finals
| game | date | Time (et) | tv set |
| Game 1 | June 5th | 8:30pm | ABC |
| Game 2 | June 8th | 8pm | ABC |
| Game 3 | June 11th | 8:30pm | ABC |
| Game 4 | June 13th | 8:30pm | ABC |
| Game 5* | June 16th | 8:30pm | ABC |
| Game 6* | June 19th | 8:30pm | ABC |
| Game 7* | June 22nd | 8pm | ABC |
Printable 2026 NBA Playoff Bracket
Most fans enjoy having a printable 2026 NBA playoff bracket. Here are some things you can use for your projection during the offseason and regular season. The brackets can be printed to PDF. Alternatively, you can print it as is if you want to place it on paper to follow the action. You can check out the 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket here.
