There are only a few weeks left until the start of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, but the postseason bracket is still very much in a state of flux.
The Nuggets will likely be the top seed in the Western Conference, as they have a nice cushion between themselves and the rest of the field. Beyond Denver, though, the seedings could change each day.
In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks and Celtics are fighting for the top spot. Both of those teams are viewed as legitimate title contenders, but the path to the NBA Finals will be filled with other challengers.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
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NBA standings 2023
(Current as of March 5)
Eastern Conference
Seed
Team
Record
Games Back
1.
Bucks
46-18
—
2.
Celtics
45-20
1.5
3.
76ers
41-22
4.5
4.
Cavaliers
40-26
7
5.
Knicks
39-27
8
6.
Nets
36-28
10
7.
Heat
34-31
12.5
8.
Hawks
32-32
14
9.
Raptors
32-33
14.5
10.
Wizards
30-34
16
—
Pacers
29-36
17.5
—
Bulls
29-36
17.5
—
Magic
27-38
19.5
—
Hornets
20-46
27
—
Pistons
15-49
31
Western Conference
Seed
Team
Record
Games Back
1.
Nuggets
45-19
—
2.
Grizzlies
38-25
6.5
3.
Kings
37-26
7.5
4.
Suns
36-29
9.5
5.
Warriors
34-31
11.5
6.
Timberwolves
34-32
12
7.
Mavericks
33-32
12.5
8.
Clippers
34-33
12.5
9.
Pelicans
31-33
14
10.
Jazz
31-34
14.5
—
Lakers
31-34
14.5
—
Thunder
30-34
15
—
Trail Blazers
30-34
15
—
Spurs
16-49
29.5
—
Rockets
15-49
30
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) Timberwolves
(4) Suns vs. (5) Warriors
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) Wizards
Western Conference
(7) Mavericks vs. (8) Clippers
(9) Pelicans vs. (10) Jazz
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
NBA Playoffs: April 15
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?
The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
Each conference’s Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
Each conference’s Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2023 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
