NBA playoffs
Updated: 12/20/2025, 2:57:14 PM Wikipedia source
The NBA playoffs is the annual postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association (NBA) held after the league's regular season to determine the league champion. The playoffs date back to 1947 when the NBA was then known as the Basketball Association of America, and eventually expanded to the present-day four-round, best-of-seven tournament in 2003. Since 2020, it has been held after the preliminary postseason tournament, the NBA play-in tournament. Under the current postseason format since 2021, six teams from each of the two conferences automatically advance to the playoffs based on regular season winning percentage, while those teams finishing seven through 10 from each conference first compete in the play-in tournament to determine the final two playoff seeds. The playoffs culminate with the NBA Finals, where both conference champions from the NBA conference finals play each other.
Infobox
Sport
Basketball
Founded
1946
No. of teams
16 (postseason), 20 (including play-in tournament)
Most recentchampion
Oklahoma City Thunder (2025)
Most titles
Boston Celtics (18)
Broadcasters
mw- United States:ABC/ESPN/ESPN NBC/PeacockAmazon Prime VideoCanada:TSN/TSN2Sportsnet/Sportsnet OneNBA TV CanadaInternational:Broadcasters
Official website
National Basketball Association
Tables
· Playoff appearances › Appearances by active teams
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
Team
Los Angeles Lakers
Appearances
65
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
Team
Boston Celtics
Appearances
62
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
Team
Philadelphia 76ers
Appearances
54
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
Team
Atlanta Hawks
Appearances
49
New York Knicks
New York Knicks
Team
New York Knicks
Appearances
46
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
Team
Detroit Pistons
Appearances
43
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
Team
San Antonio Spurs
Appearances
39
Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
Team
Golden State Warriors
Appearances
38
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
Team
Portland Trail Blazers
Appearances
37
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
Team
Milwaukee Bucks
Appearances
37
Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
Team
Chicago Bulls
Appearances
36
Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
Team
Houston Rockets
Appearances
35
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
Team
Oklahoma City Thunder
Appearances
34
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
Team
Phoenix Suns
Appearances
33
Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
Team
Utah Jazz
Appearances
31
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
Team
Denver Nuggets
Appearances
31
Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
Team
Washington Wizards
Appearances
30
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
Team
Sacramento Kings
Appearances
30
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
Team
Indiana Pacers
Appearances
29
Miami Heat
Miami Heat
Team
Miami Heat
Appearances
26
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
Team
Dallas Mavericks
Appearances
25
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Team
Cleveland Cavaliers
Appearances
25
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets
Team
Brooklyn Nets
Appearances
24
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
Team
Los Angeles Clippers
Appearances
19
Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
Team
Orlando Magic
Appearances
18
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
Team
Memphis Grizzlies
Appearances
14
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
Team
Toronto Raptors
Appearances
13
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
Team
Minnesota Timberwolves
Appearances
13
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets
Team
Charlotte Hornets
Appearances
10
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
Team
New Orleans Pelicans
Appearances
9
| Team | Appearances |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 65 |
| Boston Celtics | 62 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 54 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 49 |
| New York Knicks | 46 |
| Detroit Pistons | 43 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 39 |
| Golden State Warriors | 38 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 37 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 37 |
| Chicago Bulls | 36 |
| Houston Rockets | 35 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 34 |
| Phoenix Suns | 33 |
| Utah Jazz | 31 |
| Denver Nuggets | 31 |
| Washington Wizards | 30 |
| Sacramento Kings | 30 |
| Indiana Pacers | 29 |
| Miami Heat | 26 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 25 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 25 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 24 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 19 |
| Orlando Magic | 18 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 14 |
| Toronto Raptors | 13 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 13 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 10 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 9 |
· All-time NBA playoffs table
Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
Franchise
Atlanta Hawks
mw- Pld
390
W
170
L
220
PTS
39,190
OPP PTS
40,314
DIFF PTS
-1,124
CH
1
CT
0
Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
Franchise
Boston Celtics
mw- Pld
738
W
423
L
315
PTS
77,635
OPP PTS
75,851
DIFF PTS
1,784
CH
18
CT
11
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets
Franchise
Brooklyn Nets
mw- Pld
171
W
70
L
101
PTS
16,674
OPP PTS
16,996
DIFF PTS
-322
CH
2
CT
2
Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets
Franchise
Charlotte Hornets
mw- Pld
63
W
23
L
40
PTS
5,853
OPP PTS
6,035
DIFF PTS
-182
CH
0
CT
0
Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
Franchise
Chicago Bulls
mw- Pld
349
W
187
L
162
PTS
34,079
OPP PTS
33,716
DIFF PTS
363
CH
6
CT
6
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Franchise
Cleveland Cavaliers
mw- Pld
246
W
131
L
115
PTS
24,191
OPP PTS
23,884
DIFF PTS
307
CH
1
CT
5
Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
Franchise
Dallas Mavericks
mw- Pld
249
W
118
L
131
PTS
25,729
OPP PTS
25,987
DIFF PTS
-258
CH
1
CT
3
Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
Franchise
Denver Nuggets
mw- Pld
242
W
105
L
137
PTS
26,025
OPP PTS
26,475
DIFF PTS
-450
CH
1
CT
1
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
Franchise
Detroit Pistons
mw- Pld
372
W
189
L
183
PTS
35,551
OPP PTS
35,418
DIFF PTS
133
CH
3
CT
5
Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
Franchise
Golden State Warriors
mw- Pld
384
W
212
L
172
PTS
40,471
OPP PTS
39,782
DIFF PTS
689
CH
7
CT
7
Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
Franchise
Houston Rockets
mw- Pld
322
W
158
L
164
PTS
32,833
OPP PTS
32,975
DIFF PTS
-142
CH
2
CT
4
Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
Franchise
Indiana Pacers
mw- Pld
258
W
123
L
135
PTS
24,457
OPP PTS
24,456
DIFF PTS
1
CH
3
CT
2
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
Franchise
Los Angeles Clippers
mw- Pld
153
W
66
L
87
PTS
15,999
OPP PTS
16,161
DIFF PTS
-162
CH
0
CT
0
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
Franchise
Los Angeles Lakers
mw- Pld
782
W
467
L
315
PTS
81,308
OPP PTS
79,460
DIFF PTS
1,848
CH
17
CT
19
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
Franchise
Memphis Grizzlies
mw- Pld
98
W
38
L
60
PTS
9,598
OPP PTS
9,997
DIFF PTS
-399
CH
0
CT
0
Miami Heat
Miami Heat
Franchise
Miami Heat
mw- Pld
295
W
163
L
132
PTS
28,315
OPP PTS
28,089
DIFF PTS
226
CH
3
CT
7
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
Franchise
Milwaukee Bucks
mw- Pld
312
W
152
L
160
PTS
32,595
OPP PTS
32,387
DIFF PTS
208
CH
2
CT
3
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
Franchise
Minnesota Timberwolves
mw- Pld
79
W
30
L
49
PTS
7,715
OPP PTS
7,962
DIFF PTS
-247
CH
0
CT
0
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
Franchise
New Orleans Pelicans
mw- Pld
59
W
22
L
37
PTS
5,647
OPP PTS
5,909
DIFF PTS
-262
CH
0
CT
0
New York Knicks
New York Knicks
Franchise
New York Knicks
mw- Pld
404
W
200
L
204
PTS
38,489
OPP PTS
38,932
DIFF PTS
-443
CH
2
CT
4
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
Franchise
Oklahoma City Thunder
mw- Pld
341
W
170
L
171
PTS
34,638
OPP PTS
34,655
DIFF PTS
-17
CH
1
CT
4
Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
Franchise
Orlando Magic
mw- Pld
140
W
62
L
78
PTS
13,420
OPP PTS
13,533
DIFF PTS
-113
CH
0
CT
2
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
Franchise
Philadelphia 76ers
mw- Pld
488
W
251
L
237
PTS
50,092
OPP PTS
50,178
DIFF PTS
-86
CH
3
CT
5
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
Franchise
Phoenix Suns
mw- Pld
324
W
160
L
164
PTS
34,340
OPP PTS
34,395
DIFF PTS
-55
CH
0
CT
3
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
Franchise
Portland Trail Blazers
mw- Pld
274
W
119
L
155
PTS
28,112
OPP PTS
28,769
DIFF PTS
-657
CH
1
CT
3
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
Franchise
Sacramento Kings
mw- Pld
194
W
83
L
111
PTS
19,031
OPP PTS
19,396
DIFF PTS
-365
CH
1
CT
0
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
Franchise
San Antonio Spurs
mw- Pld
403
W
222
L
181
PTS
40,210
OPP PTS
39,484
DIFF PTS
726
CH
5
CT
6
Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
Franchise
Toronto Raptors
mw- Pld
123
W
57
L
66
PTS
12,164
OPP PTS
12,361
DIFF PTS
-197
CH
1
CT
1
Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
Franchise
Utah Jazz
mw- Pld
292
W
135
L
157
PTS
28,928
OPP PTS
29,128
DIFF PTS
-200
CH
0
CT
2
Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
Franchise
Washington Wizards
mw- Pld
237
W
99
L
138
PTS
24,097
OPP PTS
24,426
DIFF PTS
-329
CH
1
CT
4
| Franchise | mw- Pld | W | L | PTS | OPP PTS | DIFF PTS | CH | CT |
| Atlanta Hawks | 390 | 170 | 220 | 39,190 | 40,314 | -1,124 | 1 | 0 |
| Boston Celtics | 738 | 423 | 315 | 77,635 | 75,851 | 1,784 | 18 | 11 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 171 | 70 | 101 | 16,674 | 16,996 | -322 | 2 | 2 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 63 | 23 | 40 | 5,853 | 6,035 | -182 | 0 | 0 |
| Chicago Bulls | 349 | 187 | 162 | 34,079 | 33,716 | 363 | 6 | 6 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 246 | 131 | 115 | 24,191 | 23,884 | 307 | 1 | 5 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 249 | 118 | 131 | 25,729 | 25,987 | -258 | 1 | 3 |
| Denver Nuggets | 242 | 105 | 137 | 26,025 | 26,475 | -450 | 1 | 1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 372 | 189 | 183 | 35,551 | 35,418 | 133 | 3 | 5 |
| Golden State Warriors | 384 | 212 | 172 | 40,471 | 39,782 | 689 | 7 | 7 |
| Houston Rockets | 322 | 158 | 164 | 32,833 | 32,975 | -142 | 2 | 4 |
| Indiana Pacers | 258 | 123 | 135 | 24,457 | 24,456 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 153 | 66 | 87 | 15,999 | 16,161 | -162 | 0 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 782 | 467 | 315 | 81,308 | 79,460 | 1,848 | 17 | 19 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 98 | 38 | 60 | 9,598 | 9,997 | -399 | 0 | 0 |
| Miami Heat | 295 | 163 | 132 | 28,315 | 28,089 | 226 | 3 | 7 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 312 | 152 | 160 | 32,595 | 32,387 | 208 | 2 | 3 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 79 | 30 | 49 | 7,715 | 7,962 | -247 | 0 | 0 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 59 | 22 | 37 | 5,647 | 5,909 | -262 | 0 | 0 |
| New York Knicks | 404 | 200 | 204 | 38,489 | 38,932 | -443 | 2 | 4 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 341 | 170 | 171 | 34,638 | 34,655 | -17 | 1 | 4 |
| Orlando Magic | 140 | 62 | 78 | 13,420 | 13,533 | -113 | 0 | 2 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 488 | 251 | 237 | 50,092 | 50,178 | -86 | 3 | 5 |
| Phoenix Suns | 324 | 160 | 164 | 34,340 | 34,395 | -55 | 0 | 3 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 274 | 119 | 155 | 28,112 | 28,769 | -657 | 1 | 3 |
| Sacramento Kings | 194 | 83 | 111 | 19,031 | 19,396 | -365 | 1 | 0 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 403 | 222 | 181 | 40,210 | 39,484 | 726 | 5 | 6 |
| Toronto Raptors | 123 | 57 | 66 | 12,164 | 12,361 | -197 | 1 | 1 |
| Utah Jazz | 292 | 135 | 157 | 28,928 | 29,128 | -200 | 0 | 2 |
| Washington Wizards | 237 | 99 | 138 | 24,097 | 24,426 | -329 | 1 | 4 |
References
- Includes appearances as the Minneapolis Lakers (1947–1960).
- Includes appearances as the Syracuse Nationals (1946–1963).
- Includes appearances as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946–1951), the Milwaukee Hawks (1951–1955), and the St. Louis Hawks
- Includes appearances as the Fort Wayne Pistons (1949–1957).
- Does not include appearances in the American Basketball Association (ABA) playoffs. Per the conditions of the ABA–NBA me
- Includes appearances as the Philadelphia Warriors (1946–1962) and the San Francisco Warriors (1962–1971).
- Includes appearances as the San Diego Rockets (1967–1971).
- As part of the 2008 relocation settlement with the City of Seattle, the Thunder officially shares its history with that
- Includes appearances as the New Orleans Jazz (1974–1979).
- Includes appearances as the Chicago Packers (1961–1962), the Chicago Zephyrs (1962–1963), the Baltimore Bullets (1963–19
- Includes appearances as the Rochester Royals (1948–1957), the Cincinnati Royals (1957–1972), the Kansas City-Omaha Kings
- Includes appearances as the New Jersey Nets (1977–2012).
- Includes appearances as the Buffalo Braves (1970–1978).
- The New Orleans Pelicans were originally the Charlotte Hornets, and moved to New Orleans in 2002. A new team, the Charlo
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