NBA Playoffs 2026 Bracket Preview: Matchups, Predictions, and Favorites
The NBA Playoffs are less than a month away, and the bracket is starting to take shape. Here are the projected matchups, our predictions for every series, and who we think wins the championship.
Eastern Conference projected bracket
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Play-in winner — Celtics in 5. Boston is too deep, too talented, and too experienced for any play-in team. Tatum and Brown will cruise through the first round.
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Play-in winner — Cavaliers in 6. Mitchell's playoff experience will be the difference. The Cavs have the defense to grind out a series against anyone.
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Orlando Magic — Knicks in 7. This will be a physical, ugly series. The Knicks' toughness vs. Orlando's length. Brunson will need to be spectacular.
(4) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (5) Indiana Pacers — Bucks in 6. Giannis in the playoffs is a different animal. The Pacers' offense will keep it close, but Milwaukee's defense will win out.
Western Conference projected bracket
(1) OKC Thunder vs. (8) Play-in winner — Thunder in 5. SGA and the Thunder's depth will overwhelm any play-in team. OKC's defense is suffocating.
(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Play-in winner — Nuggets in 5. Jokic in the playoffs is the best player in basketball. Denver's championship experience gives them a massive edge.
(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) LA Clippers — Wolves in 6. Anthony Edwards will put on a show. Minnesota's defense, anchored by Rudy Gobert, is the best in the West.
(4) Dallas Mavericks vs. (5) Houston Rockets — Mavericks in 7. Luka Doncic vs. the Rockets' young core. This will be the most entertaining first-round series. Luka's playoff experience will be the difference in a tight Game 7.
Championship prediction
OKC Thunder over Boston Celtics in 6 games. SGA wins Finals MVP. The Thunder's combination of elite defense, scoring depth, and the best player in the series will be too much for Boston. But don't sleep on Denver — if Jokic gets hot, the Nuggets can beat anyone.