NBA Playoff picture: Updated standings, bracket, key dates for 2022-23 season

Jordan Greer

NBA Playoff picture: Updated standings, bracket, key dates for 2022-23 season image

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
Wizards 35-46 23
Pacers 34-47 24
Magic 34-47 24
Hornets 26-55 32
Pistons 17-64 41

*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
Mavericks 38-43 14
Jazz 37-44 15
Trail Blazers 33-48 19
Rockets 21-60 31
Spurs 21-60 31

*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.

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.