As we approach the final week of the 2023-24 NBA regular season, the anticipation for the playoffs intensifies. With only four games remaining before the pursuit of the Bill O’Brien trophy commences, fans are eager to see if the defending champions, Nikola Jokic‘s Denver Nuggets, can reclaim their title.
Currently, the top-performing team in the league resides on the East Coast, represented by the Boston Celtics, who have dominated the season with an impressive 62 wins thus far.
JJ Redick Saves LeBron James Before He Spills ‘Big Lie’ on Highlight
However, despite their regular season success, the Celtics have faced challenges in the playoffs during critical moments. Nevertheless, much remains to be determined as the postseason picture unfolds.
When do the 2023 NBA playoffs start?
The regular season will conclude on Sunday, April 14th, leading directly into the Play-in round, scheduled between April 16th and 19th.
Following the Play-in games, the playoff series will kick off on April 20th, paving the way for five weeks of intense basketball action culminating in the League Finals on Thursday, June 6th.
Here’s what’s next for the start of the playoffs.
How does the Play-In round work?
The Play-In round determines the final two qualifiers for the playoff series, featuring matchups among the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth seeds.
The winner of the 7th vs. 8th bracket advances directly to the playoffs, while the loser awaits the winner of the 9th vs. 10th bracket to secure the eighth and final spot.
Although the exact pairings are yet to be finalized, the eight qualifying teams have already been determined.
In the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks have secured the 9th and 10th seeds, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are currently vying for positioning in the Play-In round.
Qualifying Teams for the NBA Playoffs
As of now, four teams have secured their spots in the playoffs, with the exact seeding still to be determined.
The Boston Celtics hold the top seed, boasting a commanding 15-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently hold the second seed with a 62-16 record.
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are tied for the top seed at 54-24, closely followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder. These three teams have already secured their tickets to the playoffs.
Here’s a breakdown of the current playoff picture:
Eastern Conference Playoff Seeding:
- Boston Celtics
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Orlando Magic
- New York Knicks
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Indiana Pacers
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Miami Heat
- Chicago Bulls (Play-In)
- Atlanta Hawks (Play-In)
Western Conference Playoff Seeding:
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Denver Nuggets
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Phoenix Suns
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Sacramento Kings
- Los Angeles Lakers (Play-In)
- Golden State Warriors (Play-In)
As the regular season draws to a close and the playoffs loom on the horizon, basketball enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the thrilling matchups and intense competition that await in the quest for NBA supremacy.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Marca
