2023 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket: Updated standings, matchups, seeds

National Basketball Association

Updated Apr. 8, 2023 10:12 p.m. ET

The race for one of the 16 spots in the 2023 NBA playoffs is coming down to the wire.

Here’s what the playoffs would look if the season ended today, April 8:

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

1. Milwaukee Bucks(seed clinched)

2. Boston Celtics (seed clinched)

3. Philadelphia 76ers (seed clinched)

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (seed clinched)

5. New York Knicks (seed clinched)

6. Brooklyn Nets (seed clinched)

7. Miami Heat (play-in position clinched)

8. Atlanta Hawks (play-in position clinched)

9. Toronto Raptors (play-in position clinched)

10. Chicago Bulls (play-in position clinched)

EASTERN CONFERENCE BRACKET

1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Winner of No. 8 seed play-in

2. Boston Celtics vs. Winner of No. 7 seed play-in

3. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 6. Brooklyn Nets (finalized)

4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. New York Knicks (finalized)

PLAY-IN GAMES (finalized)

Atlanta Hawks (8) @ Miami Heat (7)

April 11, TNT, Time: TBD

Winner advances as the No. 7 seed; loser plays the winner of Raptors-Bulls for the No. 8 seed.

Chicago Bulls (10) @ Toronto Raptors (9)

April 12, ESPN, Time: TBD

Winner advances to an elimination game vs. the loser of Heat-Hawks for the No. 8 seed; loser is eliminated from the play-in tournament.

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS

1. Denver Nuggets (seed clinched)

2. Memphis Grizzlies (seed clinched)

3. Sacramento Kings (seed clinched)

4. Phoenix Suns (seed clinched)

5. LA Clippers** (Remaining: @ PHX)

6. Golden State Warriors** (@ POR)

7. Los Angeles Lakers** (vs. UTA) — 1 GB

8. New Orleans Pelicans** (@ MIN) — 1 GB

9. Minnesota Timberwolves^ (vs. NO) — 2 GB

10. Oklahoma City Thunder^ (vs. MEM) — 4 GB

WESTERN CONFERENCE BRACKET

1. Denver Nuggets vs. Winner of No. 8 seed play-in

2. Memphis Grizzlies vs Winner of No. 7 seed play-in

3. Sacramento Kings vs. 6. Golden State Warriors

4. Phoenix Suns vs. 5. LA Clippers

PLAY-IN GAMES

(8) New Orleans Pelicans @ (7) Los Angeles Lakers

Winner advances as the No. 7 seed; loser plays the winner of Wolves-Thunder for the No. 8 seed.

(10) Oklahoma City Thunder @ (9) Minnesota Timberwolves

Winner advances to an elimination game vs. the loser of Lakers-Pelicans for the No. 8 seed; loser is eliminated from the play-in tournament.

WEST STANDINGS SCENARIOS

** Will at least make play-in

^ Will participate in play-in

When do the 2023 NBA playoffs start?

The NBA playoffs start with the play-in tournament, which runs between April 11-14. Following that, the first round of the playoffs start on April 15. Play will continue until the NBA Finals begin on June 1.

How many teams make NBA playoffs?

Historically, 16 teams (the eight teams with the best records in each conference) comprise the NBA playoff teams. With the play-in tournament, four extra teams earn the chance play their way into the postseason.

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