The road to an NBA championship runs through a demanding, multi-round playoff bracket. Here’s exactly how teams navigate it heading into this season.
## Setting the Bracket
Sixteen teams qualify for the playoffs, eight from each conference, made up of the top six regular-season finishers plus two teams that emerge from the play-in tournament. Our full play-in tournament explainer covers exactly how those final two spots get decided.
## The Format
Every round is a best-of-seven series, starting with the first round on April 18, 2027. Conference semifinals and conference finals follow, with each round eliminating half the remaining field until one team from each conference advances to the NBA Finals.
## Why Seeding Matters
Higher seeds earn home-court advantage throughout their series, a meaningful edge in a league where playoff atmospheres can genuinely shift momentum. Our NBA standings tracker follows how this season’s contenders are positioning themselves for favorable seeding.
## This Season’s Path Looks Wide Open
With New York defending its title, Philadelphia and Miami both dramatically retooled, and Oklahoma City and San Antonio representing a stacked Western Conference, the path to this year’s Finals looks as unpredictable as it’s been in years. Our championship favorites breakdown ranks the genuine contenders heading into the postseason.
## The NBA Finals
The postseason concludes with a best-of-seven NBA Finals in June, pitting the two conference champions against each other for the league’s ultimate prize. Last year’s Finals saw New York defeat San Antonio in five games, with Jalen Brunson earning Finals MVP honors.
## Historical Context
The current 16-team, four-round playoff structure has remained largely stable for decades, even as the regular-season play-in format has evolved. Our NBA Finals history guide covers every champion and Finals MVP across the award’s full history.
## The Bottom Line
From October’s opening tip to June’s decisive Game 7 possibilities, the NBA playoffs remain one of sports’ most demanding championship gauntlets. This season’s crowded contender field only raises the stakes further.