The Second Round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs continues to bring drama and action every night — track every matchup with our live NBA bracket, latest NBA odds to win each series, and more.
2026 NBA playoffs bracket
2026 NBA Playoffs matchups and results
Here are the series prices for each second-round matchup:
(1) Detroit Pistons vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers odds and schedule
Pistons lead 1-0
Pistons vs Cavaliers series schedule
- Game 1: Tuesday, May 5 (Detroit 111, Cleveland 101)
- Game 2: Thursday, May 7
- Game 3: Saturday, May 9
- Game 4: Monday, May 11
- Game 5: Wednesday, May 13
- Game 6: Friday, May 15
- Game 7: Sunday, May 17
(3) New York Knicks vs (7) Philadelphia 76ers odds and schedule
Knicks lead 2-0
Knicks vs 76ers series schedule
- Game 1: Monday, May 4 (New York 137, Philadelphia 98)
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 (New York 108, Philadelphia 102)
- Game 3: Friday, May 8
- Game 4: Sunday, May 10
- Game 5: Tuesday, May 12
- Game 6: Friday, May 15
- Game 7: Sunday, May 17
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (4) Los Angeles Lakers odds and schedule
Thunder lead 1-0
Spurs vs Timberwolves series schedule
- Game 1: Tuesday, May 5 (Oklahoma City 108, Los Angeles 90)
- Game 2: Thursday, May 7
- Game 3: Saturday, May 9
- Game 4: Monday, May 11
- Game 5: Wednesday, May 13
- Game 6: Saturday, May 16
- Game 7: Monday, May 18
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves odds and schedule
Tied 1-1
Spurs vs Timberwolves series schedule
- Game 1: Monday, May 4 (Minnesota 104, San Antonio 102)
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 (San Antonio 133, Minnesota 95)
- Game 3: Friday, May 8
- Game 4: Sunday, May 10
- Game 5: Tuesday, May 12
- Game 6: Friday, May 15
- Game 7: Sunday, May 17
2026 NBA Playoffs schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NBA Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| NBA Playoffs begin | April 18 |
| NBA Conference Semifinals | May 4 |
| NBA Conference Finals | TBD |
| NBA Finals Game 1 | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 2 | June 5 |
| NBA Finals Game 3 | June 8 |
| NBA Finals Game 4 | June 10 |
| NBA Finals Game 5 (if necessary) | June 13 |
| NBA Finals Game 6 (if necessary) | June 16 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
NBA playoff format
The NBA playoffs adopt a format designed to favor successful teams while giving underdogs a shot at the championship. Here's a brief look at the structure:
- The postseason begins with a Play-In Tournament featuring the 7th through 10th-ranked teams in each conference. This extends from April 14 to 17.
- The NBA Playoffs kick off with the first round on April 18, where the top one to six teams in each conference join the winners of the Play-In.
- The matchups are set as No. 1 vs. No. 8 seed, No. 2 vs. No. 7 seed, No. 3 vs. No. 6 seed, and No. 4 vs. No. 5 seed.
- Each playoff round, including the Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and NBA Finals, features a seven-game series.
- In these series, the higher-seeded team hosts Games 1, 2, 5 (if necessary), and 7 (if necessary) following a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
- The NBA Finals start on June 3.
Looking for more intel? Our NBA Championship odds break down the clubs with the best odds of winning the NBA Finals. And be sure to check out our NBA Finals MVP odds page to see which player is most likely to hoist the Bill Russell Trophy when the dust settles.
NBA Playoff Bracket FAQs
The Play-In Tournament starts on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The first round of the NBA Playoffs start on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
A total of 16 teams, eight from each conference, make the NBA Playoffs.
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals tips off on Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30 pm ET. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
Yes. Once the NBA playoff field is set, the bracket is fixed, meaning teams advance through a predetermined path based on their seed. There is no re-seeding after each round, so matchups are determined by the original bracket.
