2024 NBA playoffs: bracket and schedule / News - Basketnews.com

The 2024 NBA playoffs bracket is complete, as the New York Knicks took the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Phoenix Suns clinched a playoff berth on the last day of the regular season.

Credit: AP, AFP, USA TODAY Sports – Scanpix Credit AP, AFP, USA TODAY Sports – Scanpix

The 2023-24 NBA regular season is officially over, and the playoff bracket has been confirmed.

In the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucksdropped to 3rd seed and will face theIndiana Pacersin the 1st Round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliersstayed in 4th place and will play the No. 5 seedOrlando Magic.

The No. 1 seedBoston Celticsand the No. 2 seedNew York Knicks have found out their opponents after the Play-In Tournament. No. 8 spot was captured by the Miami Heat, while No. 7 seed became the Philadelphia 76ers.

Meanwhile, the Western Conference had many unknowns before the last regular-season game. Yet, the Oklahoma City Thunder retained the No. 1 seed, the Denver Nuggets climbed to 2nd place, and the Minnesota Timberwolves dropped to the No. 3 seed.

The Phoenix Suns got the crucial win against the Timberwolves and jumped to the No. 6 seed, securing the direct spot in the playoffs. The New Orleans Pelicans dropped to 7th place and ultimately finished 8th after the Play-In games.

NBA playoffs bracket

Eastern Conference

Teams 1. Boston Celtics 8. Miami Heat 2. New York Knicks 7. Philadelphia 76ers 3. Milwaukee Bucks 6. Indiana Pacers 4. Cleveland Cavaliers 5. Orlando Magic

Western Conference

Teams 1. Oklahoma City Thunder 8. New Orleans Pelicans 2. Denver Nuggets 7. Los Angeles Lakers 3. Minnesota Timberwolves 6. Phoenix Suns 4. Los Angeles Clippers 5. Dallas Mavericks

NBA playoffs schedule

First round schedule

The first round of the NBA playoffs will start on April 20.

Conference semifinals schedule

The conference semifinals will begin on May 6-7 but can move up to May 4-5 if series from the prior round end early.

Conference finals schedule

The conference finals will begin May 21-22 but can move up to May 19-20 if the series from the prior round ends early.

NBA Finals schedule

The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, with ABC as the exclusive broadcaster.

Thursday, June 6:Game 1 Sunday, June 9:Game 2 Wednesday, June 12:Game 3 Friday, June 14:Game 4 Monday, June 17:Game 5 (if necessary) Thursday, June 20:Game 6 (if necessary) Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)

NBA playoffsCredit Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NBA Play-In Tournament pairs

In the Eastern Conference, the Sixers beat the Heat in the matchup for the No. 7 seed, while Miami then defeated Chicago in the game for the No. 8 seed.

Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament

Teams 7. Philadelphia 76ers 8. Miami Heat 9. Chicago Bulls 10. Atlanta Hawks

Battle for the No. 8 seed

Teams Chicago Bulls Miami Heat

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the No. 7 seed Pelicans lost to the Los Angeles Lakers but then recovered and defeated the Sacramento Kings to secure the last playoff ticket.

Western Conference Play-In Tournament

Teams 7. New Orleans Pelicans 8. Los Angeles Lakers 9. Sacramento Kings 10. Golden State Warriors

Battle for the No. 8 seed

Teams New Orleans Pelicans Sacramento Kings

NBA Play-In Tournament format

While the teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference are guaranteed a playoff spot, the teams that finish Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the Play-In Tournament. These teams will battle for the seventh and eighth playoff seeds.

Here is an overview of how it works:

No. 7 team in the standings (Philadelphia 76ers)will host the No. 8 team (Miami Heat). The winners secure the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losers will get another chance to earn a playoff spot. No. 9 team in the standings (Chicago Bulls) will host the No. 10 team (Atlanta Hawks). The winners will advance to the final stage of the Play-In Tournament. The loser will be eliminated. The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups. The winners secure the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs for its conference. The losing teams are eliminated.

When is the Play-In Tournament?

The Play-In Tournament will take place Tuesday, April 16 – Friday, April 19, before the first round of the NBA playoffs begins.

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