The 2026 NBA Playoff bracket is almost set, and the chase for the championship begins with the play-in tournament.
The NBA play-in tournament rules and format are simple. The No. 7 seed plays the No. 8 seed in each conference, and the winner gets the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The No. 9 seed plays the No. 10 seed in each conference, the winner of that game plays the loser of the 7/8 game for the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.
The play-in tournament begins Tuesday evening with the 9/10 game in the East featuring the red hot Charlotte Hornets facing the Miami Heat in south Florida. The 7/8 game in the West follows with the Phoenix Suns hosting the Portland Trail Blazers. On Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers host the Orlando Magic for the No. 7 seed, and the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers play an elimination game in the West.
Let’s make picks for every game of the play-in tournament to complete the playoff picture.
East 9/10 game: Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat
Would you believe the Hornets have been the best team in the NBA since the calendar flipped to 2026? It’s true. After a terrible start, Charlotte went 33-16 with the league’s best net-rating at +10.5 since Jan. 1. It’s one of the most remarkable mid-season turnarounds in NBA history, and it’s possible it could end on Tuesday night with a road game in Miami. Facing Erik Spoelstra in an elimination game is a terrifying proposition, and we’ve seen him win so many play-in tournament games before. The Heat have an elite defensive big man in Bam Adebayo, they have two excellent scorers in Tyler Herro and Norm Powell ready to rock, and they have been getting a good year out of Andrew Wiggins all season. I really think the Hornets will push the Detroit Pistons in round one if they can get into the playoffs, but it’s going to be really hard just to win this game. I’m going with Charlotte, but I don’t feel good about it.
West 7/8 game: Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns
The Blazers have developed into an elite defensive team, and it’s produced their first winning record in five years. Portland is No. 3 in defensive efficiency since the All-Star break with sophomore center Donovan Clingan emerging into arguably the team’s best long-term piece for his elite rim protection. Deni Avdija had a fantastic season, but he’s been slowed lately by a lingering back injury, and Portland will need him at his best to actually make it into the playoffs. No one expected Phoenix to be in this position entering the season. The Suns are one of the NBA’s most pleasant surprises, riding a top-10 defense and getting major contributions from Collin Gillespie, Dillon Brooks, and Grayson Allen that few saw coming. The Suns have also been beat up with injuries lately, but it seems like they should have their key pieces for this game. The battle between Portland’s Jrue Holiday and Phoenix’s Devin Booker will be must see. I’d expect an ugly, physical game where both teams have to grind out scoring possessions. Both teams should feel urgency to win this game, because they could be in for an even more difficult matchup in the next round if they lose.
Pick: Portland Trail Blazers get the No. 7 seed
East 7/8 game: Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers
Orlando was my preseason NBA Finals pick, which was obviously a terrible call. The Magic just never found their groove in another injury-ravaged season, and it feels like head coach Jamahl Mosley should be on the hot seat even if they win this game. Orlando actually does have its key pieces available for this game, and I still think this team can be pretty good when Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Anthony Black are all in the lineup. Philadelphia has become Tyrese Maxey’s team this season as he’s ascended into an All-NBA talent. Joel Embiid’s health still hangs over the Sixers, but he should be ready to go for this game. Same goes for Paul George. I feel like Orlando is the bigger, more physical team in this matchup … unless Embiid roars back to form. The Magic have the perimeter defenders to make life hard on Philly’s guards, and I think Wagner should be able to score as a pick-and-roll ball handler if he gets the reps. Orlando has the upper hand barring a vintage Embiid performance.
Pick: Orlando Magic get the No. 7 seed
West 9/10 game: Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers
The Warriors are just so beat up right now, to the point that Steph Curry, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis all have a minutes restriction in an elimination game. Did we mention Jimmy Butler is out for the year with a torn ACL, too? I just don’t see how the Warriors can win this game on the road given how well the Clippers are playing lately. Los Angeles has won eight of its last 12 entering the play-in tournament. Kawhi Leonard is playing at a First-Team All-NBA level, Darius Garland has looked good since coming over from Cleveland, and Brook Lopez still has a little bit left in the tank. The Clippers are going to roll, and the Warriors will be hoping for lottery luck.
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers
Predicted matchups in NBA play-in tournament
Hornets over Sixers: The Hornets are going to be one of the best teams in the East next season. Getting into the playoffs this year is the perfect way to start their ascension as the conference’s team of the future. Whenever there’s an opportunity for Philly sports fans to have a meltdown, I’m always willing to take it. Hornets get the No. 8 seed.
Clippers over Suns: Maybe I should know better than to doubt the Suns at this point. They are a really scrappy team that plays hard every night. I just think the Clippers have more top-end talent with Kawhi leading the charge. I would take the Clippers over whoever wins the West’s 7/8 game. Clippers get the No. 8 seed.
