Does anyone want to see the 76ers in the playoffs?
Philadelphia enters the final day of the regular season on a seven-game win streak and recently welcomed reigning MVP Joel Embiid back to the lineup. After missing two months due to a meniscus injury, Embiid looks to be rounding into postseason form as the season closes.
In addition to a healthy Embiid, the Sixers are led by a championship coach in Nick Nurse and continue to enjoy the breakout season of All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, who has now turned in three 50-point games this season.
Just last season, an Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament team made a historic push to the NBA Finals. Philadelphia does have a shot at jumping into the East's top six but the Play-In Tournament is the team's most likely scenario. The 76ers appear to have what it takes to go on a similar run.
Here's a complete look at seeding possibilities, potential postseason opponents and the standings as the Sixers' season winds down.
MORE: TSN's Steph Noh shares his expert All-NBA picks
76ers playoff scenarios 2024
The Sixers have one game remaining on their regular season schedule. They can finish no higher than fifth and no lower than eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
MORE: Where 76ers rank among teams facing most pressure to make playoffs
How 76ers can clinch the No. 5 seed in the East
To finish with the East's fifth seed, the 76ers must win their final game while both the Magic and Pacers lose their final game.
If those outcomes held true, Philadelphia would finish with a 47-35 record while Orlando and Indiana would fall to 46-36 on the season and finish a full game back in the standings.
How 76ers can clinch the No. 6 seed in the East
To avoid the Play-In Tournament, the Sixers must first win their final game of the season and receive some help elsewhere.
Here is how Philadelphia finishes with the No. 6 seed:
- 76ers win
- Loss by Magic or Pacers
How 76ers can clinch the No. 7 seed in the Play-In Tournament
If the 76ers, Magic and Pacers win, the 76ers will be the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament, where they will play the Heat.
If the 76ers finish in seventh, they will not have to travel during the Play-In Tournament — the No. 7 seed hosts the No. 8 seed to open the tournament. If the No. 7 seed loses, it hosts the winner from the game played between the Nos. 9 and 10 seeds.
76ers potential postseason opponents
Play-In Tournament
If the season ended today, the 7-seed 76ers would host the 8-seed Heat in the Play-In Tournament. The most likely outcomes involve a 76ers-Heat meeting in either Philadelphia or Miami.
NBA Playoffs
Outside of the 1-seed Celtics, nothing is set in the Eastern Conference standings.
If Philadelphia stays in the Play-In Tournament, it would first play for an opportunity to face the East's No. 2 seed. The Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks each have a realistic shot to finish second.
If the Sixers lose their first Play-In Tournament game, they would have one last opportunity to play for the eighth seed and a first-round meeting with the Celtics.
MORE: Updated NBA Playoffs bracket and today's clinching scenarios
76ers standings 2024
| Seed | Team | Record | Win pct. | GB |
| 5 | Magic | 46-35 | .568 | 17 |
| 6 | Pacers | 46-35 | .568 | 17 |
| 7 | 76ers | 46-35 | .568 | 17 |
| 8 | Heat | 45-36 | .550 | 18 |
76ers remaining schedule
Philadelphia closes the season with a two-game homestand.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| April 14 | vs. Nets | 1 p.m. | TBD |
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2024 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series through the NBA Finals.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
