The 2023 NBA Playoff picture is coming into focus.
In the Eastern Conference, the playoff and Play-In Tournament matchups have been finalized. The Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Cavaliers, Knicks and Nets are heading to the first round, while the Heat, Hawks, Raptors and Bulls will battle for the last two playoff berths.
There are still a few questions when it comes to seedings in the Western Conference. The Nuggets, Grizzlies, Kings and Suns will enter the bracket as the top four seeds, but the teams below them in the standings have not yet settled into their postseason slots.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
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NBA standings 2023
(Current as of April 8)
Eastern Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Bucks* | 58-23 | — |
| 2. | Celtics* | 56-25 | 2 |
| 3. | 76ers* | 53-28 | 5 |
| 4. | Cavaliers* | 51-30 | 7 |
| 5. | Knicks* | 47-34 | 11 |
| 6. | Nets* | 45-36 | 13 |
| 7. | Heat** | 43-38 | 15 |
| 8. | Hawks** | 41-40 | 17 |
| 9. | Raptors** | 40-41 | 18 |
| 10. | Bulls** | 39-42 | 19 |
| — | |||
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Hornets, Magic, Pacers, Pistons, Wizards
Western Conference
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nuggets* | 52-29 | — |
| 2. | Grizzlies* | 51-30 | 1 |
| 3. | Kings* | 48-33 | 4 |
| 4. | Suns* | 45-36 | 7 |
| 5. | Clippers | 43-38 | 9 |
| 6. | Warriors | 43-38 | 9 |
| 7. | Lakers | 42-39 | 10 |
| 8. | Pelicans | 42-39 | 10 |
| 9. | Timberwolves** | 41-40 | 11 |
| 10. | Thunder** | 39-42 | 13 |
| — | |||
| — | |||
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Jazz, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, Trail Blazers
NBA Playoff bracket 2023
Here's what the NBA Playoff matchups would be if the regular season ended today:
Eastern Conference
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks
Western Conference
(1) Nuggets vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Play-In Winner
(3) Kings vs. (6) Warriors
(4) Suns vs. (5) Clippers
NBA Play-In Tournament bracket 2023
Here's what the NBA Play-In Tournament matchups would be if the regular season ended today:
Eastern Conference
(7) Heat vs. (8) Hawks
(9) Raptors vs. (10) Bulls
Western Conference
(7) Lakers vs. (8) Pelicans
(9) Timberwolves vs. (10) Thunder
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
- Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
- NBA Playoffs: April 15
The 2022-23 NBA regular season will end on Sunday, April 9. The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 11.
The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, April 15.
How will the 2023 NBA Playoffs work?
- The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2023 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 2023 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
