NBA Playoff picture: Updated standings, bracket, key dates for 2022-23 season

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 7)

Eastern Conference

Seed	Team	Record	Games Back
1.	Bucks	47-18	—
2.	Celtics	45-21	2.5
3.	76ers	43-22	4
4.	Cavaliers	41-26	7
5.	Knicks	39-28	9
6.	Nets	37-28	10
7.	Heat	35-31	12.5
8.	Hawks	32-33	15
9.	Raptors	32-34	15.5
10.	Wizards	31-34	16
—	Bulls	29-36	18
—	Pacers	29-37	18.5
—	Magic	27-39	20.5
—	Hornets	21-46	27
—	Pistons	15-51	32.5

Western Conference

Seed	Team	Record	Games Back
1.	Nuggets	46-19	—
2.	Kings	38-26	7.5
3.	Grizzlies	38-26	7.5
4.	Suns	36-29	10
5.	Mavericks	34-32	12.5
6.	Warriors	34-32	12.5
7.	Timberwolves	34-33	13
8.	Clippers	34-33	13
9.	Lakers	32-34	14.5
10.	Pelicans	31-34	15
—	Thunder	31-34	15
—	Trail Blazers	31-34	15
—	Jazz	31-35	15.5
—	Spurs	16-49	30
—	Rockets	15-50	31

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) Kings vs. (7) Play-In Winner

(3) Grizzlies vs. (6) Warriors

(4) Suns vs. (5) Mavericks

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) Timberwolves vs. (8) Clippers

(9) Lakers vs. (10) Pelicans

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.