By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The final day of the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season saw a frantic reshuffling of the postseason bracket, as the last 15 games determined the remaining seeds for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google. With several franchises already locked into their positions or eliminated from contention, Sunday was marked by an unprecedented wave of inactive players, with more than 200 ruled out across the league.
In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets secured the third seed by defeating the San Antonio Spurs, improving their record to 54-28. The victory allowed Denver to fend off the Los Angeles Lakers, who will enter the postseason as the fourth seed. Lower down the standings, the Portland Trail Blazers clinched the eighth seed after a decisive win over the Sacramento Kings. By finishing ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers, they earned a more favorable path through the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
The Eastern Conference saw equally significant movement, highlighted by the Toronto Raptors clinching the final available playoff berth and vaulting into the fifth seed. Their rise was aided by the Miami Heat’s victory over the Atlanta Hawks. However, the win was bittersweet for Erik Spoelstra’s squad, as they remained in tenth place following a Charlotte Hornets victory over the New York Knicks. The Hawks ultimately settled for the sixth seed, while the Philadelphia 76ers climbed to seventh and the Orlando Magic fell to eighth.
With the bracket now set, the league turns its attention to the Play-Ins, which begin this Tuesday. The winners of those matchups will join the finalized field for the Playoffs, which are scheduled to tip off on Saturday.
Sunday results
Miami Heat – Atlanta Hawks 143-117
Philadelphia 76ers – Milwaukee Bucks 126-106
Cleveland Cavaliers – Washington Wizards 130-117
New York Knicks – Charlotte Hornets 96-110
Indiana Pacers – Detroit Pistons 121-133
Toronto Raptors – Brooklyn Nets 136-101
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic 113-108
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 103-135
Houston Rockets – Memphis Grizzlies 132-101
Dallas Mavericks – Chicago Bulls 128-149
Los Angeles Lakers – Utah Jazz 131-107
Portland Trail Blazers – Sacramento Kings 122-110
San Antonio Spurs – Denver Nuggets 118-128
Los Angeles Clippers – Golden State Warriors 115-110
Minnesota Timberwolves – New Orleans Pelicans 132-126
Final standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 60-22
2. Boston Celtics 56-26
3. New York Knicks 53-29
4. Cleveland Cavaliers 52-30
5. Toronto Raptors 46-36
6. Atlanta Hawks 46-36
7. Philadelphia 76ers 45-37
8. Orlando Magic 45-37
9. Charlotte Hornets 44-38
10. Miami Heat 43-39
11. Milwaukee Bucks 32-50
12. Chicago Bulls 31-51
13. Brooklyn Nets 20-62
14. Indiana Pacers 19-63
15. Washington Wizards 17-65
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 64-18
2. San Antonio Spurs 62-20
3. Denver Nuggets 54-28
4. Los Angeles Lakers 53-29
5. Houston Rockets 52-30
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 49-33
7. Phoenix Suns 45-37
8. Portland Trail Blazers 42-40
9. Los Angeles Clippers 42-40
10. Golden State Warriors 37-45
11. New Orleans Pelicans 26-56
12. Dallas Mavericks 26-56
13. Memphis Grizzlies 25-57
14. Sacramento Kings 22-60
15. Utah Jazz 22-60
-Top six teams from each conference advanced directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference entered the Play-Ins
SoFi Play-In Tournament
East
Philadelphia 76ers – Orlando Magic
Charlotte Hornets – Miami Heat
West
Phoenix Suns – Portland Trail Blazers
Los Angeles Clippers – Golden State Warriors
Playoffs, presented by Google
East
Detroit Pistons – eighth seed
Boston Celtics – seventh seed
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – eighth seed
San Antonio Spurs – seventh seed
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets