How Will The 2023 NBA Playoffs Work: Updated Dates, Standings & Bracket

The race for one of the 16 spots in the 2023 NBA Playoffs is coming down to the wire with so many teams still in contention in the final few weeks of the regular season, but the postseason bracket is still very much in a state of flux.

When do the NBA Playoffs start and 2023 NBA Playoffs Key Dates?

  • April 9: NBA regular season ends
  • April 11-14: NBA Play-In Tournament 2023
  • April 15: NBA Playoffs 2023 begin
  • May 1-2: NBA Conference Semifinals begin (possible move-up to April 29-30)
  • May 16-17: NBA Conference Finals begin (possible move-up to May 14-15)
  • June 1: NBA Finals 2023 Game 1
  • June 1: NBA Finals 2023 Game 1
  • June 4: NBA Finals 2023 Game 2
  • June 7: NBA Finals 2023 Game 3
  • June 9: NBA Finals 2023 Game 4
  • June 12: NBA Finals 2023 Game 5 (if necessary)
  • June 15: NBA Finals 2023 Game 6 (if necessary)
  • June 18: NBA Finals 2023 Game 7 (if necessary)

The 2022-23 NBA regular season will end on Sunday, April 9. The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 11.

The first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, April 15.

How will the 2023 NBA Playoffs work?

When the regular season in 2022–23 ends and before the opening round of the NBA Playoffs in 2023, the NBA Play-In Tournament will take place. The top six clubs in each conference’s standings will get automatic playoff participation. The Play-In Tournament will be open to teams ranked 7–10.

The No. 7 and No. 8 teams in each conference will compete, with the victor securing the No. 7 seed in the postseason. The losing team will still have a chance to make the playoffs.

The No. 9 and No. 10 teams in each conference will compete, with the victor moving on to face the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 match. The loser of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 match will not be eligible for the playoffs.

Next, the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 match and the victor of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 match will square off. The winner of that contest will receive the eighth playoff seed. The loser will no longer be eligible for the playoffs.

The 2023 NBA Playoffs will follow the customary structure after the Play-In Tournament, with complete best-of-seven series up until the NBA Finals.

NBA standings 2023

(Current as of April 8)

Eastern Conference

Seed Team Record Games Back
1. Bucks* 58-23 —
2. Celtics* 56-25 2
3. 76ers* 53-28 5
4. Cavaliers* 51-30 7
5. Knicks* 47-34 11
6. Nets* 45-36 13
7. Heat** 43-38 15
8. Hawks** 41-40 17
9. Raptors** 40-41 18
10. Bulls** 39-42 19
— Wizards 35-46 23
— Pacers 34-47 24
— Magic 34-47 24
— Hornets 26-55 32
— Pistons 17-64 41

*clinched NBA Playoff berth

**clinched Play-In Tournament berth

Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Hornets, Magic, Pacers, Pistons, Wizards

Western Conference

Seed Team Record Games Back
1. Nuggets* 52-29 —
2. Grizzlies* 51-30 1
3. Kings* 48-33 4
4. Suns* 45-36 7
5. Clippers 43-38 9
6. Warriors 43-38 9
7. Lakers 42-39 10
8. Pelicans 42-39 10
9. Timberwolves** 41-40 11
10. Thunder** 39-42 13
— Mavericks 38-43 14
— Jazz 37-44 15
— Trail Blazers 33-48 19
— Rockets 21-60 31
— Spurs 21-60 31

*clinched NBA Playoff berth

**clinched Play-In Tournament berth

Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Jazz, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, Trail Blazers

NBA Playoff bracket 2023

Here’s what the NBA Playoff matchups would be if the regular season ended today:

Eastern Conference

(1) Bucks vs. (8) Play-In Winner

(2) Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner

(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets

(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks

Western Conference

(1) Nuggets vs. (8) Play-In Winner

(2) Grizzlies vs. (7) Play-In Winner

(3) Kings vs. (6) Warriors

(4) Suns vs. (5) Clippers

NBA Play-In Tournament bracket 2023

Here’s what the NBA Play-In Tournament matchups would be if the regular season ended today:

Eastern Conference

(7) Heat vs. (8) Hawks

(9) Raptors vs. (10) Bulls

Western Conference

(7) Lakers vs. (8) Pelicans

(9) Timberwolves vs. (10) Thunder

 

FOR MORE NBA NEWS- 

Bobby Portis – Net Worth, Endorsement, Salary, Wingspan, Rings and More – Top Five Things You Did Not Know About