NBA Playoff Picture 2027: Seeds, Play-In Race & Clinching

2027 NBA Playoff Picture · Updated Nov 10

The Philadelphia 76ers (9-2) lead the East and the Los Angeles Lakers (10-2) lead the West. About 1076 games are left in the regular season, which ends on April 11, 2027.

Races to Watch

  • East · No. 1 seed76ers 9-2Celtics 8-20.5 GB
  • West · No. 1 seedLakers 10-2Spurs 9-20.5 GB
  • East · No. 6 seedRaptors 5-5Cavaliers 5-60.5 GB
  • West · No. 6 seedRockets 8-3Grizzlies 7-30.5 GB
  • East · No. 10 seedHornets 4-7Pacers 3-81 GB
  • West · No. 10 seedNuggets 5-4Pelicans 4-72 GB

Leader on top, chaser below; GB = games between them.

2027 NBA Playoff Picture Analysis: This Week's Biggest Moves

Updated November 9, 2026 · from the standings after every game this week

East

The 76ers lead at 9-2, ahead of the Celtics at 8-2. The Hawks went 4-0 over the last 7 days.

West

The Lakers lead at 9-2, ahead of the Spurs at 8-2. The Lakers went 4-0 over the last 7 days.

Play-In Bubble

In the East the Cavaliers hold No. 7, 0.5 games behind No. 6; in the West the Grizzlies hold No. 7, 0.5 games behind No. 6.

Clinch Watch

No team has clinched yet; the race is still open for every team.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

SeedTeamW-LPCTGBLeftStatus
1Philadelphia 76ers76ers9-2.818–71
2Boston CelticsCeltics8-2.800–72
3Detroit PistonsPistons7-3.700–72
4Atlanta HawksHawks7-5.583–70
5New York KnicksKnicks5-4.556–73
6Toronto RaptorsRaptors5-5.500–72
Playoff line · 7-10 go to the Play-In
7Cleveland CavaliersCavaliers5-6.4550.571
8Miami HeatHeat4-6.4001.072
9Washington WizardsWizards4-7.3641.571
10Charlotte HornetsHornets4-7.3641.571
Play-In line
11Indiana PacersPacers3-8.2731.071
12Orlando MagicMagic2-7.2221.073
13Brooklyn NetsNets2-8.2001.572
14Chicago BullsBulls1-8.1112.073
15Milwaukee BucksBucks1-9.1002.572

Western Conference Playoff Picture

SeedTeamW-LPCTGBLeftStatus
1Los Angeles LakersLakers10-2.833–70
2San Antonio SpursSpurs9-2.818–71
3Oklahoma City ThunderThunder8-2.800–72
4Minnesota TimberwolvesTimberwolves8-3.727–71
5Golden State WarriorsWarriors8-3.727–71
6Houston RocketsRockets8-3.727–71
Playoff line · 7-10 go to the Play-In
7Memphis GrizzliesGrizzlies7-3.7000.572
8Portland Trail BlazersTrail Blazers6-3.6671.073
9Dallas MavericksMavericks7-4.6361.071
10Denver NuggetsNuggets5-4.5562.073
Play-In line
11New Orleans PelicansPelicans4-7.3642.071
12Phoenix SunsSuns3-6.3332.073
13Los Angeles ClippersClippers2-7.2223.073
14Utah JazzJazz1-9.1004.572
15Sacramento KingsKings1-9.1004.572

2026-27 · GB = games behind the No. 6 seed (seeds 7-10) or the No. 10 seed (11-15). Clinched and eliminated are counted from games left; ties follow the NBA tiebreakers, so a seed can still move.

2027 NBA Playoff Picture FAQ

How many teams make the NBA playoffs?

Sixteen: the top six teams in each conference qualify directly, and two more per conference come through the Play-In Tournament.

How does the Play-In Tournament work?

Seeds 7 and 8 play each other; the winner is the No. 7 seed. The loser hosts the winner of 9 vs. 10, and that game decides the No. 8 seed.

When does the 2026-27 NBA regular season end?

On April 11, 2027.

Who leads the Eastern Conference?

The Philadelphia 76ers, at 9-2.

Who leads the Western Conference?

The Los Angeles Lakers, at 10-2.

Has any team clinched a playoff spot yet?

Not yet. A team clinches when the No. 7 team can no longer catch it in the games left.

Full records for all 30 teams are on the NBA standings page. Seeds 7 to 10 continue in the NBA Play-In Tournament, and the final 16 teams move into the NBA playoff bracket and the playoff schedule.