NBA Playoffs 2026: Full Bracket, Schedule, Predictions & How to Watch

The 2026 NBA Playoffs field is set after a dramatic Play-In Tournament. The bracket splits into East and West with eight teams per conference fighting for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

When the bracket was set, one matchup immediately dominated every NBA conversation: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets. It means LeBron James and Kevin Durant are meeting in the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 NBA Finals — eight years ago.

LeBron, 41, is still operating at an elite level and now has the added subplot of potentially playing postseason minutes alongside his son Bronny James. Durant, meanwhile, has rebuilt the Rockets into a legitimate Western Conference contender since arriving in Houston.

This series has everything: history, legacy, and two all-time greats who have each defined an era of the sport. Every game will be the most-watched broadcast on its respective network.

Victor Wembanyama has spent two seasons proving he is one of the most extraordinary talents the NBA has ever seen. Now, in 2026, he gets his first taste of playoff basketball against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 22-year-old French centre has posted numbers that defy his age — elite scoring, shot-blocking on a historic scale, and a three-point range that defensive schemes cannot account for. San Antonio's offence runs through him, but the playoffs will test whether Wembanyama can elevate further when every opponent game-plans specifically to stop him.

This is the series every neutral wants to watch. If the Spurs advance, Wembanyama will become the most talked-about player in the second round.

Jayson Tatum's return from injury has transformed Boston from a contender into the outright favourite in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics finished with the best record in the East, and Tatum's form heading into the postseason — in terms of efficiency, shot selection, and leadership — has been exactly what the franchise needed.

Philadelphia, led by Tyrese Maxey, will not make it easy. Maxey has been an All-Star-level guard all season and the 76ers play physical, disruptive basketball that historically gives Boston problems in a seven-game series.

This matchup could easily go seven games. It is the East's most fascinating first-round draw and the winner is arguably the conference favourite to reach the Finals.

Nikola Jokic and Anthony Edwards have become the defining rivalry of the modern Western Conference. Their previous playoff meetings have delivered some of the most entertaining basketball of the decade, and the 2026 first round promises more of the same.

Jokic remains the most complete player in basketball — his ability to orchestrate the offence, fill the stat sheet, and impose himself physically in the fourth quarter is unmatched. Edwards, meanwhile, has grown into a legitimate franchise cornerstone and relishes the big-game moments that playoff basketball provides.

The Nuggets are battle-hardened and know how to win in seven games. The Timberwolves are hungry, athletic, and have the defensive identity to make Denver uncomfortable. This is a coin-flip series.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs first round begins on April 18. Games are spread across TNT, ESPN, ABC, and NBA TV throughout the week. With multiple games happening simultaneously across both conferences, having access to all four networks is essential for any serious fan.

IPTV remains the most popular way to watch every playoff game without a cable subscription. Rather than paying for individual streaming apps or missing games due to blackouts, a single IPTV subscription gives you every broadcast channel in one place.

• TNT — Tuesday and Thursday playoff doubleheaders throughout the first round
• ESPN — Primary broadcaster for Saturday and Monday playoff games
• ABC — Weekend primetime games and all NBA Finals coverage
• NBA TV — Additional first-round games and live studio analysis
• Streamtly IPTV — All four channels from $13/month, works on Firestick, Smart TV, iPhone, Android