NBA Playoff Picture
Updated 2026-10-25T03:38:07.675855+00:00 · ESPN public data
Source: ESPN public standings (records + ESPN playoff seeds). Guide only: not an official clinch or elimination; bubble lines and scenarios use simple wins/points pace and ignore complex tiebreakers.
Your teams
NBA
Seeds 1–6 are in; 7–10 go to the play-in. 82-game season.
Eastern Conference
1Philadelphia 76ers3-0In position · No. 1 seed
To make it: Magic number 78: any combination of wins by them + losses by New York Knicks totaling 78 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 24 more wins in 79 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if New York Knicks passes them — they're 3 games clear of the first team out.
2Detroit Pistons2-0In position · No. 2 seed
To make it: Magic number 79: any combination of wins by them + losses by New York Knicks totaling 79 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if New York Knicks passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
3Toronto Raptors2-0In position · No. 3 seed
To make it: Magic number 79: any combination of wins by them + losses by New York Knicks totaling 79 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if New York Knicks passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
4Atlanta Hawks2-1In position · No. 4 seed
To make it: Magic number 79: any combination of wins by them + losses by New York Knicks totaling 79 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 79 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if New York Knicks passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
5Charlotte Hornets2-1In position · No. 5 seed
To make it: Magic number 79: any combination of wins by them + losses by New York Knicks totaling 79 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 79 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if New York Knicks passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
6Washington Wizards2-1In position · No. 6 seed
To make it: Magic number 79: any combination of wins by them + losses by New York Knicks totaling 79 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 79 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if New York Knicks passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
7Boston Celtics1-1Play-in · No. 7 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~26 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
8Cleveland Cavaliers1-1Play-in · No. 8 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~26 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
9Indiana Pacers1-1Play-in · No. 9 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~26 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
10Chicago Bulls1-2Play-in · No. 10 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~26 wins in their final 79 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of New York Knicks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 79 makes ~27 wins impossible.
11New York Knicks0-2On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~27 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
12Brooklyn Nets0-2On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~27 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
13Orlando Magic0-2On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~27 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
14Milwaukee Bucks0-3On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~27 wins in their final 79 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 53 more of 79 makes ~27 wins impossible.
15Miami Heat0-3On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Washington Wizards (2-1). Needs ~27 wins in their final 79 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Chicago Bulls.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 53 more of 79 makes ~27 wins impossible.
Western Conference
1Houston Rockets3-0In position · No. 1 seed
To make it: Magic number 79: any combination of wins by them + losses by Denver Nuggets totaling 79 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 24 more wins in 79 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if Denver Nuggets passes them — they're 3 games clear of the first team out.
2Minnesota Timberwolves2-0In position · No. 2 seed
To make it: Magic number 80: any combination of wins by them + losses by Denver Nuggets totaling 80 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if Denver Nuggets passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
3Portland Trail Blazers2-0In position · No. 3 seed
To make it: Magic number 80: any combination of wins by them + losses by Denver Nuggets totaling 80 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if Denver Nuggets passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
4Los Angeles Lakers2-0In position · No. 4 seed
To make it: Magic number 80: any combination of wins by them + losses by Denver Nuggets totaling 80 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if Denver Nuggets passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
5Oklahoma City Thunder2-0In position · No. 5 seed
To make it: Magic number 80: any combination of wins by them + losses by Denver Nuggets totaling 80 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if Denver Nuggets passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
6Memphis Grizzlies2-0In position · No. 6 seed
To make it: Magic number 80: any combination of wins by them + losses by Denver Nuggets totaling 80 locks a top-10 spot. Keep pace: about 25 more wins in 80 games (the current 10-seed pace is ~27 wins).
What leaves them out: Falls out if Denver Nuggets passes them — they're 2 games clear of the first team out.
7LA Clippers1-1Play-in · No. 7 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~26 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
8Utah Jazz1-1Play-in · No. 8 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~26 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
9San Antonio Spurs1-2Play-in · No. 9 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~26 wins in their final 79 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 79 makes ~27 wins impossible.
10Dallas Mavericks1-2Play-in · No. 10 seed
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~26 wins in their final 79 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Denver Nuggets.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 79 makes ~27 wins impossible.
11Denver Nuggets0-1On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~27 wins in their final 81 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 81 makes ~27 wins impossible.
12Phoenix Suns0-1On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~27 wins in their final 81 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 55 more of 81 makes ~27 wins impossible.
13New Orleans Pelicans0-2On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~27 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
14Golden State Warriors0-2On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~27 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
15Sacramento Kings0-2On the bubble · 1 game back
To make it: In the play-in / wild-card round. To skip it, pass No. 6 Memphis Grizzlies (2-0). Needs ~27 wins in their final 80 games to reach the current 10-seed pace (~27 wins), and to stay ahead of Dallas Mavericks.
What leaves them out: Every loss shrinks the margin: losing 54 more of 80 makes ~27 wins impossible.
How this is calculated
Seeds and records come straight from ESPN public standings. Remaining games = season length − games played. Floor = current wins (or points); ceiling = floor + every remaining game won. Eliminated (math) = ceiling is below the current last playoff spot. Clinched (math) = already ahead of the first team out's ceiling. Magic number = own wins + that chaser's losses needed to lock it. Official tiebreakers (head-to-head, division, conference record, etc.) are not fully resolved, so ties can go either way.
How we figure it: seeds come straight from ESPN's standings feed. "Bubble" and scenario lines are simple points/wins math (pace of the last playoff spot) and ignore tiebreakers, so treat them as a guide, not an official clinch/elimination. Refreshed with the site's ESPN data cadence.