NBA Playoff Picture 2026 for East, West Bracket After Hornets, Blazers Advance
Bleacher Report • • general
Key Points:
- The 2026 NBA play-in tournament began with the Charlotte Hornets defeating the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime, advancing to face the loser of the Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers game for the No. 8 Eastern Conference seed.
- The Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs following a 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
- The current first-round playoff matchups are set for both conferences, with some No. 8 seeds still to be determined through ongoing play-in games.
- The remaining play-in tournament schedule includes key matchups: Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors, and subsequent games to decide final playoff seeds.
- Tuesday's play-in games featured close contests with multiple lead changes, highlighted by clutch performances from players like LaMelo Ball for Charlotte and Tyler Herro for Miami.
