2026 NBA Playoffs: Conference Finals Guide
The NBA Playoffs bring together the strongest teams in North American basketball. By the time the Conference Semifinals arrive, only eight remain, split evenly between the East and West, and the standard rises with every game.
This guide explains how series are set up, how the best-of-seven format actually works on the ground, and what typically shapes this round. You will also find clear pointers on schedules and how to follow from the UK.
How Do the NBA Play-offs Work?
The NBA play-offs determine the league champion through a bracketed, best‑of‑seven series format after the regular season. They involve 16 teams in total, eight from each conference.
- Seeding: Teams are ranked 1–10 in each conference based on regular‑season records. Seeds 1–6 qualify directly; seeds 7–10 enter the Play‑In Tournament.
- Play‑In Tournament: The 7th seed hosts the 8th; the winner becomes the 7th seed. The 9th hosts the 10th; the winner faces the loser of 7 vs 8 for the 8th seed.
- Bracket: The play‑offs feature conference quarter‑finals, semi‑finals, and finals (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, 4 vs 5). There is no re‑seeding; the bracket is fixed.
- Series format: All rounds are best‑of‑seven. The first team to four wins advances. Home‑court advantage goes to the higher seed, using a 2‑2‑1‑1‑1 game split (Games 1, 2, 5, 7 at the higher seed, if needed).
- NBA Finals: The Eastern and Western Conference champions meet in a best‑of‑seven series to decide the league champion.
- Tie‑breakers: If teams finish with identical records, standard tie‑breakers (such as head‑to‑head results and conference record) determine seeding.
- Timing: The Play‑In typically starts in April, with the play‑offs running through June.
Each game is decided on the night (with overtime if required); there is no aggregate scoring across games.
NBA Playoffs 1st Round Recap
The opening round delivered the usual blend of high-paced offence, bruising defence, and momentum swings that turned series on their heads. Road wins proved precious, stars largely set the tone, and benches that could survive mismatches often swung the margins.
Read on to discover the results from the opening round of the NBA Playoffs:
Eastern Conference
- Detroit Pistons 4-3 Orlando Magic
- Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3 Toronto Raptors
- Boston Celtics 3-4 Philadelphia 76ers
- New York Knicks 4-2 Atlanta Hawks
Western Conference
- Oklahoma City Thunder 4-0 Phoenix Suns
- Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Houston Rockets
- San Antonio Spurs 4-1 Portland Trail Blazers
- Denver Nuggets 2-4 Minnesota Timberwolves
Eastern Conference Semi-finals Recap
The Conference Semifinals bring a sharper tactical edge, with remaining teams re-seeded so the top seed faces the lowest-ranked survivor in each conference. In the East, games often slow into physical half-court battles where execution, rebounding, and defensive discipline become decisive factors.
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers reached their Conference Finals since 2018, with James Harden and Donovan Mitchell scoring crucial points ahead of their matchup with the New York Knicks.
Series Results
- Game 1: Pistons 111-101 Cavaliers
- Game 2: Pistons 107-97 Cavaliers
- Game 3: Cavaliers 116-109 Pistons
- Game 4: Cavaliers 112-103 Pistons
- Game 5: Pistons 113-117 (OT) Cavaliers
- Game 6: Cavaliers 94-115 Pistons
- Game 7: Pistons 94-125 Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers won series, 4-3
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers
The New York Knicks reached their second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals after sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers with a series of impressive performances, led by Jalen Brunson.
Series Results
- Game 1: Knicks 137-98 76ers
- Game 2: Knicks 108-102 76ers
- Game 3: 76ers 94-108 Knicks
- Game 4: 76ers 114-144 Knicks
New York Knicks won series 4-0
Western Conference Semi-finals Recap
Western Conference series tend to feature greater pace and more end-to-end action, though the demands of a best-of-seven remain unchanged. Depth, efficient shot selection, and late-game composure become increasingly important as opponents grow more familiar with one another.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers
Defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals with a series of commanding performances over the Los Angeles Lakers. Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder look strong in their quest to repeat.
Series Results
- Game 1: Thunder 108-90 Lakers
- Game 2: Thunder 125-107 Lakers
- Game 3: Lakers 108-131 Thunder
- Game 4: Lakers 110-115 Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder won series 4-0
San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Five-time NBA champions San Antonio Spurs reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017, after a commanding Game Six victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Led by Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs will face off against the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder for a place in the NBA Finals.
Series Results
- Game 1: Spurs 102-104 Timberwolves
- Game 2: Spurs 133-95 Timberwolves
- Game 3: Timberwolves 108-115 Spurs
- Game 4: Timberwolves 114-109 Spurs
- Game 5: Spurs 126-97 Timberwolves
- Game 6: Timberwolves 109-139 Spurs
San Antonio Spurs won series, 4-2
Eastern Conference Finals Matchups
The stage is set for a exciting showdown in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals, where elite talent, tactical adjustments, and postseason pressure collide. With championship aspirations on the line, the remaining contenders bring contrasting styles, star power, and momentum into one of basketball’s biggest stages. From dominant defensive schemes to explosive scoring duels, these matchups promise intensity, drama, and defining moments that could shape the path to the NBA Finals.
New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
After sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers, the New York Knicks will be hoping to go one better after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last year, where they were beaten by the Indiana Pacers. Led by James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2018.
Series Schedule
- Game 1: Knicks 115-104 Cavaliers
- Game 2: Cleveland @ New York, May 21st
- Game 3: New York @ Cleveland, May 23rd
- Game 4: New York @ Cleveland, May 25th
- Game 5: Cleveland @ New York, May 27th*
- Game 6: New York @ Cleveland, May 29th*
- Game 7: Cleveland @ New York, May 31st*
*if necessary
New York Knicks lead series, 1-0
Western Conference Finals Matchups
The NBA’s Western Conference Finals deliver a clash of powerhouse teams battling for a coveted spot in the Finals. Fueled by superstar performances, deep rosters, and high-stakes competition, each matchup showcases the speed, skill, and intensity that define playoff basketball. As coaching strategies tighten and every possession carries added weight, fans can expect dramatic momentum swings, standout individual performances, and a fierce fight for conference supremacy.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs
Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder head into the Western Conference Finals having not lost a game, looking to repeat their success of last season where they defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in the NBA Finals. Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama, will hoping to put a stop to the Thunder’s hopes and lead his team into the NBA Finals.
Series Schedule
- Game 1: Thunder 115-122 Spurs
- Game 2: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City, May 20th
- Game 3: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, May 22nd
- Game 4: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, May 24th
- Game 5: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City, May 26th*
- Game 6: Oklahoma City @ San Antonio, May 28th*
- Game 7: San Antonio @ Oklahoma City, May 30th*
*if necessary
San Antonio Spurs lead series, 1-0
Bet on the NBA Playoffs at Bet442
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