You’ve seen the highlights and probably felt the shift in energy over the last few weeks. We are deep into January 2026, and the bracket isn't just a hypothetical graphic anymore—it's a high-stakes reality. If you’re checking who is in NBA playoffs right now, the answer changes with every whistle, but the heavy hitters have officially separated themselves from the pack.
The standings are wild. Honestly, if you told me three years ago that the Detroit Pistons would be sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 30-10 record, I’d have asked to see your crystal ball. But here we are. J.B. Bickerstaff has this young squad playing defense like their lives depend on it. Meanwhile, out West, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder are basically a buzzsaw. They’re 35-8. That’s not just a good record; it’s historical dominance.
The Eastern Conference Power Struggle
It’s crowded at the top. The Pistons hold the one-seed, but the Boston Celtics are breathing down their necks at 26-15. This isn't the same Celtics team that won it all recently, though. Jayson Tatum is dealing with an Achilles issue, which has left Jaylen Brown to carry a massive load. He’s been playing at an MVP level, but you have to wonder if they have the depth to survive a seven-game series against a physical team like the Knicks.
Speaking of New York, the Knicks are currently the third seed. They’ve had some rough patches lately, losing three in a row, but Madison Square Garden is already prepping for a deep run. Behind them, the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic are surprisingly stable. The Raptors have managed to stay healthy, a luxury they haven't had in years, while the Magic’s length on defense makes them a nightmare matchup for anyone.
The bottom of the East is where it gets really messy. The Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are hovering in that 7th and 8th spot. Watching Jimmy Butler and the Heat fight through the play-in tournament feels like a tradition at this point. They’re 22-20, just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to feel safe.
Current Eastern Playoff Picture
- Detroit Pistons (1st Seed): The surprising leaders, built on a gritty defense and a balanced offense.
- Boston Celtics (2nd Seed): Currently relying on Jaylen Brown’s heroics while waiting on Tatum's health.
- New York Knicks (3rd Seed): A veteran group that knows how to win ugly games.
- Toronto Raptors & Orlando Magic (4th & 5th): The mid-tier teams that no one wants to see in the first round.
- Cleveland Cavaliers (6th Seed): Underperforming compared to last year but still dangerous with Donovan Mitchell.
The Western Conference: A Thunderstorm and a Spur
Who is in NBA playoffs out West? It’s essentially the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander show. OKC is sitting at the #1 spot with a massive lead. They give up only 108 points per game, which is the best in the conference. But the real story is just below them.
✨ Don't miss: The Facts Super Bowl Fans Usually Get Wrong About the Big Game
The San Antonio Spurs are the second seed. Think about that. Victor Wembanyama has officially "arrived," and the Spurs are 29-13. They are tied with the Denver Nuggets, who are still led by the triple-double machine himself, Nikola Jokić. The Nuggets have dealt with some injuries, but when Jokić is on the floor, they are still arguably the best team in the world.
The middle of the West is a literal bloodbath. The Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers are all within a few games of each other. LeBron James is still doing LeBron things, but the Lakers have a negative net rating despite their 24-16 record. They’ve been winning "clutch" games at an unsustainable rate. If that luck runs out in April, they could be looking at another early exit.
The Western Standings at a Glance
The Northwest Division is basically a gauntlet. You have OKC (35-8), Denver (29-13), and Minnesota (27-16) all in the same neighborhood. Then you have the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors fighting for the 7th and 8th spots. Steph Curry is still Steph Curry, but the Warriors are only 24-19. They’re 8-11 against teams with winning records. That’s a red flag.
The Mavericks are the big disappointment this year. They’re 17-26 and sitting at 12th. Losing Kyrie Irving for a stretch and having Anthony Davis struggle with health has killed their momentum. Plus, the rookie sensation Cooper Flagg is having a great year individually, but the wins aren't following yet.
Play-In Tournament Chaos
We can't talk about who is in NBA playoffs without mentioning the Play-In. This is where the real desperation lives. In the East, you’ve got the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks sitting at 9th and 10th. They are basically fighting for the right to get swept by the Pistons, but for these fanbases, any playoff basketball is a win.
In the West, the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies are in the hunt. Ja Morant is back and running the show in Memphis, but there’s been some drama with the coaching staff. They are 17-23 and barely hanging on. Portland, led by Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, is a dark horse. They’re young, fast, and they don't know they’re supposed to lose yet.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Seeding
A lot of fans just look at the win-loss column and assume the higher seed is the better team. That’s a mistake. In the 2026 landscape, health is the only stat that matters. The Celtics are a 2-seed on paper, but without a 100% Jayson Tatum, they might be more like a 5-seed in reality.
Similarly, look at the Rockets. They have the second-best point differential in the league but they're sitting at 5th in the West. That suggests they’re actually better than their record. If you’re betting or filling out a bracket, those are the teams that cause upsets.
Strategy for Following the Race
If you want to stay ahead of who is in NBA playoffs, you have to watch the "strength of schedule" remaining. The Pistons have a fairly easy road through February, which might let them lock up that #1 seed early. On the flip side, the Lakers have a brutal stretch coming up against the top four seeds in the West.
Keep an eye on the trade deadline. Teams like the Jazz and Hawks are rumored to be looking for "impact trades" to push them into a Play-In spot. One move for a defensive wing could change the entire bottom half of the bracket.
Actionable Insights for NBA Fans:
- Monitor Injury Reports Daily: Specifically, watch the updates on Jayson Tatum (Celtics) and Nikola Jokić (Nuggets), as their availability shifts the championship odds by double digits.
- Focus on Net Rating: Don't just trust the standings; teams like the Rockets have a higher "true" performance level than their seed suggests.
- Watch the Tiebreakers: With the East being so tight between seeds 4 and 7, the head-to-head records will likely determine home-court advantage.
- Scout the Play-In: The Warriors and Heat are currently in Play-In territory—these are veteran teams that know how to win high-pressure single games.