{"id":207697,"date":"2026-04-14T21:47:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/starting-5-final-day-15-games-10-seeds-to-fill-heres-what-to-know-nba\/"},"modified":"2026-04-14T21:47:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:47:26","slug":"starting-5-final-day-15-games-10-seeds-to-fill-heres-what-to-know-nba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/starting-5-final-day-15-games-10-seeds-to-fill-heres-what-to-know-nba\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: Final day. 15 games. 10 seeds to fill. Here\u2019s what to know &#8211; NBA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nuggets, Lakers, Hawks, Raptors, Magic, Sixers, Hornets, Heat, Blazers and Clippers will lock in postseason spots tonight.<br \/>NBA.com Staff<br \/>Jalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks face the Miami Heat with playoff seeding on the line Sunday night.<br \/><strong>81 games<\/strong> in.<br \/><strong>10 postseason seeds<\/strong> still to be decided, including the third seed out West and last guaranteed Playoff spot in the East.<br \/><strong>With all 30 teams<\/strong> in action to close up the regular season, read on for all the stakes and scenarios of Sunday\u2019s finale.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2156817\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2026\/04\/download-11.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" \/><br \/><em>April 12, 2026<\/em><br \/><strong>What\u2019s At Stake:<\/strong> Sunday\u2019s 15-game slate will decide the remaining half of the postseason bracket<br \/><strong>Three Teams, One Seed:<\/strong> One final game for\u00a0the Raptors, Magic and Sixers to grab the last guaranteed Playoff spot<br \/><strong>East\u2019s Ending:<\/strong> Hawks, Hornets and Heat can all shift seeds Sunday<br \/><strong>Last Stand Out West:<\/strong>\u00a0Lakers, Nuggets both have eyes on 3-seed on final day<br \/><strong>Rest Of The West:<\/strong> 8th seed up for grabs between Blazers &amp; Clippers, while Flagg finishes rookie campaign<br \/><em>One final full slate<\/em>\u2026<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/braze-images.com\/appboy\/communication\/assets\/image_assets\/images\/69db5c724fc91c0064748ab2\/original.jpg?1775983729\" alt=\"Sunday Schedule\" \/><br \/><strong>All 30 teams<\/strong> are in action on the season\u2019s final day, featuring an ESPN doubleheader with the Magic visiting the Celtics (6 ET | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/how-to-watch-game-redirect\/0022501186?partnerRef=NBA&amp;platform=Email&amp;surface=Starting5&amp;lid=s6xixa69nbdo\">Tap To Watch<\/a>), followed by the Spurs hosting the Nuggets (8:30 ET | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/how-to-watch-game-redirect\/0022501197?partnerRef=NBA&amp;platform=Email&amp;surface=Starting5&amp;lid=s4fh232wyfpa\">Tap To Watch<\/a>).<br \/><strong>After today<\/strong>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoff-picture?lid=yvabc7k1mtrz\">postseason begins<\/a> with the SoFi Play-In Tournament, Tuesday, April 14 through Friday, April 17. The First Round of the NBA Playoffs begins Saturday, April 18.<br \/><strong>The final 15 games<\/strong> of the regular season will determine 10 of the 20 postseason seeds.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/braze-images.com\/appboy\/communication\/assets\/image_assets\/images\/69db5ca7a8214800641238a4\/original.jpg?1775983782\" alt=\"Playoff Picture\" \/><br \/><strong>Half the field\u2019s <\/strong>seedings could change hands on Sunday. Here\u2019s a breakdown of each team\u2019s scenarios.<br \/><strong>Eastern Conference:<\/strong><br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/braze-images.com\/appboy\/communication\/assets\/image_assets\/images\/69db5cf3d8e8ee0064652a9d\/original.jpg?1775983858\" alt=\"East Seedings\" \/><br \/><strong>Western Conference:<\/strong><br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/braze-images.com\/appboy\/communication\/assets\/image_assets\/images\/69db5d2459bcab0064c2d943\/original.jpg?1775983907\" alt=\"West Seedings\" \/><br \/><strong>Here\u2019s a visual index<\/strong> of which teams can finish at each seed:<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/braze-images.com\/appboy\/communication\/assets\/image_assets\/images\/69db5d439800410064a9f968\/original.jpg?1775983938\" alt=\"Seeding Possibilities\" \/><br \/><em>NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>Three <\/strong>postseason teams.<br \/><strong>One<\/strong> Playoff spot.<br \/><strong>The most eventful<\/strong> seeding battle of this Playoff Picture goes down at 6 ET today, with the Raptors, Magic and Sixers all on-court. Here\u2019s who has an edge:<br \/><strong>Nets at No. 6 Raptors <\/strong>(League Pass): Toronto is the only team in this scenario controlling its own destiny, with the added benefit of home court advantage.<br \/><em>Brian Babineau\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>No. 7 Magic at No. 2 Celtics<\/strong> (ESPN): A sixth straight win and a Raptors loss would guarantee the Magic\u2019s third consecutive Playoff appearance.<br \/><strong>But unlike Toronto<\/strong> and Philly, Orlando has to do it on the road, in an arena they haven\u2019t won in since 2022.<br \/><strong>Standing in Orlando\u2019s way <\/strong>is a Boston squad that\u2019s taken two of three head-to-head matchups this season, all back in November.<br \/><em>Mitchell Leff\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>Bucks at No. 8 Sixers<\/strong> (League Pass): Philly\u2019s path to a Playoff seed is the most uphill, needing a win and losses from both the Raptors and Magic Sunday. Working in the Sixers\u2019 favor is their 3-0 record against the Bucks this season.<br \/><em>Adam Hagy\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>Here\u2019s how<\/strong> the other six East postseason teams close out the regular season \u2014 all tipping at 6 ET on League Pass \u2014 with <u><strong>three<\/strong><\/u> still fighting to determine their seeds.<br \/><u><strong>No. 5 Hawks<\/strong><\/u><strong> at <\/strong><u><strong>No. 10 Heat<\/strong><\/u>: Atlanta is locked into the Playoffs for the first time in four years, but its seed and First Round opponent is still up in the air.<br \/><em>Kenneth Richmond\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><u><strong>No. 9 Hornets<\/strong><\/u><strong> at No. 3 Knicks:<\/strong> The Hornets can secure the 9-seed and hosting duties in their Play-In matchup with a win today at MSG.<br \/><strong>No. 1 Pistons at Pacers:<\/strong> East-leading Detroit needs one more victory to secure its first 60-win season in 20 years.<br \/><strong>Wizards at No. 4 Cavaliers<\/strong>: Cleveland returns to the Playoffs with home court advantage for the fourth straight season.<br \/><em>Sean M. Haffey + Bart Young\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>No. 3 Nuggets at No. 2 Spurs<\/strong> (8:30 ET, ESPN): Denver will try to close the regular season with a 12th straight win to clinch the 3-seed, against a 2-seed Spurs team its beaten twice in the last month (2-1 overall).<br \/><strong>Jazz at No. 4 Lakers<\/strong> (8:30 ET, League Pass): To move from 4th to 3rd on the season\u2019s final day, LeBron James and the Lakers will need a third consecutive win and to get some help in San Antonio.<br \/><em>Cameron Browne\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>The Blazers<\/strong> hold the final puzzle piece of the 2026 Playoff Picture.<br \/><strong>Seven remaining<\/strong> West postseason teams finish their regular seasons on League Pass during tonight\u2019s 8:30 ET wave of games, with one seed left to sort.<br \/><strong>Kings at No. 8 Blazers<\/strong>: After defeating their direct competition for the 8-seed Friday in the Clippers, the Blazers need one more win to clinch it, hosting a Kings team they\u2019ve gone 3-0 against.<br \/><strong>No. 10<\/strong> <strong>Warriors at No. 9 Clippers<\/strong>: Facing the Dubs squad who they currently line up with in the 9\/10 Play-In game, a Clips win and a Blazers loss would send LA to Phoenix for the 7\/8 Play-In.<br \/><em>Ryan Sun\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>No. 7 Suns at No. 1 Thunder<\/strong>: The top team in the West for the third straight year, OKC seeks its second consecutive 65+ win season.<br \/><strong>Grizzlies at No. 5 Rockets<\/strong>: Kevin Durant and Houston have won eight of their last 10 games to lock up 5th in the West, with Amen Thompson coming off a career-high 41-point outing.<br \/><strong>Pelicans at No. 6 Wolves<\/strong>: Houston\u2019s two losses in the last 10 games have both come at the hands of the 6-seed Wolves, led by career-best numbers from Anthony Edwards (28.8 ppg), while also showcasing their depth during Ant\u2019s recent knee injury.<br \/><em>Juan Ocampo\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/em><br \/><strong>Bulls at Mavericks<\/strong>: Cooper Flagg (1,463 pts, 462 reb, 315 ast, 83 stl) puts the finishing touches on a historic rookie season, hosting the Bulls while looking to join Michael Jordan as the only rookies since 1973-74 to lead their teams in total points, rebounds, assists and steals.<br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">Denver&#x27;s superstar center is the 1st player to lead the NBA in assists and rebounds per game for a single season.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">Keep track of the latest scenarios for playoff clinching, seeding and elimination.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will take place on April 14-17. The first round of the NBA Playoffs starts on April 18.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament features the Nos. 7-10 teams in each conference battling for the 7th and 8th playoff seeds.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">Denver&#x27;s superstar center is the 1st player to lead the NBA in assists and rebounds per game for a single season.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">Keep track of the latest scenarios for playoff clinching, seeding and elimination.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament will take place on April 14-17. The first round of the NBA Playoffs starts on April 18.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament features the Nos. 7-10 teams in each conference battling for the 7th and 8th playoff seeds.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">Brian McIntyre Media Relations Award presented each season to PR staff that exemplifies professionalism and excellence.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The Hornets seemingly came out of nowhere, but the organization and its new owners have been building a foundation for success for years.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">Yahoo fantasy basketball analyst Dan Titus takes a peek at next season&#x27;s potential first-round picks.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The NBA Draft will be a 2-day event for the third straight year and will be broadcast on ESPN platforms.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">RotoWire highlights the top fantasy basketball performers from the final week of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.<\/span><br \/><span class=\"MultiLineEllipsis_ellipsis__mpkNo\" style=\"-webkit-line-clamp:2\">The Pelicans&#x27; star says he has much to work on and hopes to change aspects of how he plays for the 2026-27 season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/rss\/articles\/CBMilAFBVV95cUxNam0zdGVNRU9fYWhpWlJoLTEzd0FKU3ZQZ2lydXNqcFpUN0doYnhkMG91djVtMXl3QWRQN3pyVnZVdjAyVm5sUW80YzByTkxPSDZmdVZaWmNwOG00Sk9oYTZvZ3M5QnBFeDVqTW1sNW1Ba0VHRnFuWVVTd0RGd09SNHd0UkxDSzF5RTRNYTBwU3o0SmUt?oc=5\">source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nuggets, Lakers, Hawks, Raptors, Magic, Sixers, Hornets, Heat, Blazers and Clippers will lock in postseason spots tonight.NBA.com StaffJalen Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks face the Miami Heat with playoff seeding on the line Sunday night.81 games in.10 postseason seeds still to be decided, including the third seed out West and last guaranteed Playoff spot in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":207698,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-207697","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207697"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207697\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/207698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}