It’s been a mighty lengthy offseason, however opening evening within the NBA is lastly upon us. That additionally means it’s time for the ultimate a part of Ballislife’s intensive preseason preview protection, our long-awaited official 2025-26 preseason predictions for subsequent Spring’s NBA playoffs.
RELATED: NBA Division Previews: Atlantic | Central | Southeast | Northwest | Southwest | Pacific
Jap Convention Playoff Predictions
1 Cleveland Cavaliers (58-24)
2 New York Knicks (53-29)
3 Detroit Pistons (52-30)
4 Milwaukee Bucks (50-32)
5 Orlando Magic (48-34)
6 Atlanta Hawks (46-36)
Play-in
7 Philadelphia 76ers (43-39)
8 Boston Celtics (41-41)
9 Indiana Pacers (39-43)
10 Chicago Bulls (38-44)
Western Convention Playoff Predictions
1 Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (61-21)
2 Houston Rockets (54-28)
3 Denver Nuggets (53-39)
4 Los Angeles Lakers (52-30)
5 Minnesota Timberwolves (50-32)
6 Los Angeles Clippers (49-33)
Play-In
7 Golden State Warriors (47-35)
8 Memphis Grizzlies (46-36)
9 Dallas Mavericks (46-36)
10 San Antonio Spurs (43-39)
Play-In Breakdown
Jap Convention
(8) Boston Celtics defeat (7) Philadelphia 76ers (Celtics advance as No. 7 seed)
All indicators are pointing to an ahead-of-schedule return for Jayson Tatum from the Achilles tendon rupture within the playoffs, and I consider the Celtics will just do sufficient in his absence to remain afloat within the playoff race till he can doubtlessly return late within the common season.
I anticipate a a lot better marketing campaign in Philadelphia this yr and I anticipate them to push 45 wins, however I’m apprehensive about their efficacy within the playoffs, given Joel Embiid’s damage struggles and Paul George’s decline. Below the presumption that Tatum might be again in Boston’s lineup by this level, I’m rolling with the Celtics.
(9) Indiana Pacers defeat (10) Chicago Bulls (Pacers face 76ers, Bulls eradicated)
Tyrese Haliburton isn’t fast-tracking his return like Tatum, so it’s unlikely Indiana’s star level guard might be out there for the postseason. Regardless, that is nonetheless a workforce led by a bona fide playoff riser in Pascal Siakam and the contributions from function gamers like Aaron Nesmith, TJ McConnell and Andrew Nembhard proved simply as very important to the workforce’s run as Haliburton’s success.
The Bulls have some intriguing younger expertise in gamers like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Coby White, however it nonetheless looks like they’re a yr or two away from significant playoff competition.
(9) Indiana Pacers defeat (7) Philadelphia 76ers (Pacers advance as No. 8 seed, 76ers eradicated)
After the Pacers’ run final season proved simply how deep they’re, I merely belief their roster extra in a one-game state of affairs than I do the 76ers. Even when Haliburton went down in essentially the most deflating approach potential to begin Recreation 7 of the NBA Finals, the Pacers nonetheless managed to place collectively a powerful efficiency on the most important stage regardless of the loss.
Western Convention
(7) Golden State Warriors defeat (8) Memphis Grizzlies (Warriors advance as No. 7 seed)
The Warriors may be the perfect workforce ever to be relegated to the Play-In Event this upcoming season, however the Western Convention goes to be such a massacre this season that their projected 47 wins will seemingly solely be good for the seventh seed.
Fortunately, the Warriors have turn out to be fairly accustomed to the Play-In after appearances in 2021, 2023 and 2025. This hypothetical matchup would really be a grudge match of kinds, because the Grizzlies beat the Warriors within the ‘21 Play-In and the Warriors beat the Grizzlies within the ‘24 Play-In.
I received’t guess towards Stephen Curry on this one-game state of affairs, particularly with Jimmy Butler as his sidekick.
(9) Dallas Mavericks defeat (10) San Antonio Spurs (Mavericks face Grizzlies, Spurs eradicated)
The Mavericks are one other workforce which can be going to be way more harmful within the playoffs than their seeding and common season report will recommend. Kyrie Irving will virtually actually be again from the torn ACL he suffered in early April, and the addition of generational prospect and No. 1 general Cooper Flagg to a lineup that already consists of two further first-ballot Corridor of Famers alongside Irving in Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson makes the Mavs harmful.This would be the first yr that the Spurs actually current as a playoff-worthy workforce, however the depth of the West and a troublesome Play-In draw towards a much more skilled Mavericks workforce will result in a untimely elimination.
(9) Dallas Mavericks defeat (8) Memphis Grizzlies (Mavericks advance as No. 8 seed, Grizzlies eradicated)
The unlucky a part of this matchup is that each groups are ok to not solely make the playoffs but additionally pose a critical problem to the defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the first spherical, if wholesome.
On the finish of the day, the Mavericks merely have extra guys they will flip to in a one-game state of affairs and belief to get it completed. We all know Ja Morant goes to point out up for Memphis–we anticipate the identical from Jaren Jackson Jr. as effectively. However Dallas merely has extra choices.
ABSOLUTE CHILLS.
Cue up Roundball Rock … the NBA is BACK on NBC and Peacock. 🏀🤩 pic.twitter.com/bd745aFqMg
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 21, 2025
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers defeat (8) Indiana Pacers, 4-0
This sequence presents rapid intrigue within the 1 vs. 8 line, because it was the upset-minded Indiana Pacers who shockingly despatched the 64-win Cavaliers packing within the second spherical en path to their upset run to the NBA Finals. Nevertheless, one factor that many individuals fail to say when discussing that sequence is simply how unhealthy Cleveland was.
Not solely had been the Cavaliers lacking star level guard Darius Garland for the primary two video games of the sequence, they had been additionally with out Defensive Participant of the Yr Evan Mobley in Recreation 2. The tides are turned this time round, as it is going to probably be the Pacers who’re lacking star energy as Haliburton spends this season recovering from his damage.
Consequently, I anticipate the Cavaliers to finish the sequence in brief order and make a press release by doing so in a single much less recreation than Indiana’s gentleman’s sweep took final season.
(4) Milwaukee Bucks defeat (5) Orlando Magic, 4-3
The Milwaukee Bucks have misplaced within the first spherical of the NBA Playoffs for 3 consecutive seasons, and the Orlando Magic are a workforce that’s virtually unanimously being thought of a reliable risk within the Jap Convention this season following the acquisition of Desmond Bane from Memphis.
And but, I really feel like that is the sequence the place my projected MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo re-establishes his Milwaukee Bucks as a playoff risk by placing collectively a masterful efficiency in a seven-game conquer Orlando that will go down as his final nice dance in a Bucks uniform.
(3) Detroit Pistons defeat (6) Atlanta Hawks, 4-2
The Hawks, like Orlando, are one other workforce that has renewed hope after a grand slam offseason rejuvenated the franchise round star Trae Younger, who has already confirmed he can dominate a playoff sequence and take a workforce on a deep run because the catalyst.
Nevertheless, this simply feels just like the yr Cade Cunningham and the Pistons make the bounce from a fairly aggressive workforce within the Jap Convention to a workforce that would legitimately turn out to be this yr’s Pacers and contend for a berth within the NBA Finals or a deep playoff run. Pistons in six.
(2) New York Knicks defeat (7) Boston Celtics, 4-2
That is one other first-round sequence within the East that carries some deep historical past, each latest and long-standing. In fact, it was within the closing moments of Recreation 4 towards the Knicks that Tatum’s Achilles’ tendon ruptured, a second that not solely outlined final season for the Celtics but additionally will outline the upcoming one.
The fact of that sequence and second, nonetheless, is that the Knicks had been already a hair away from securing what proved to be an insurmountable 3-1 sequence lead. Tatum seemingly received’t get too many video games of regular-season motion if he does return, and it’s arduous to think about he can have seamless reintegration again right into a Celtics lineup that can look markedly totally different this season.
Put merely, the Knicks are higher than they had been once they beat the Celtics final postseason, and the Celtics are worse. I believe Tatum could will Boston to a couple wins out of spite for final season’s heartbreaking ending, however the sequence won’t ever actually be doubtful.
Western Convention
(1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder defeat (8) Dallas Mavericks, 4-2
The Mavericks will definitely be a harder first-round sequence than Oklahoma Metropolis can have bargained for, however that’s simply the fact of a Western Convention the place the ninth-best regular-season workforce isn’t a lot worse than the second-best workforce.
I say the second-best workforce as a result of the Thunder are nonetheless clearly the category of the convention, and the hole between them and No. 2 is arguably as steep as it’s between No. 2 and No. 9. The Mavericks can steal a recreation and even two off the expertise of their star-laden roster, however the Thunder will show inside six video games why they’re nonetheless the end-all-be-all within the West.
(5) Minnesota Timberwolves defeat (4) Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2
The Lakers proved they by no means stood a lot of an opportunity towards the Timberwolves within the first spherical final season, a sequence wherein they entered because the determined favorites. They received’t be the favorites this workforce round, and “The Legend Killer” Anthony Edwards is undoubtedly the kind of participant extremely motivated to ship LeBron James into retirement and Luke Doncic to Cancun.
That is massive season for Edwards’ notion within the league, as his peer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a banner season in Oklahoma Metropolis that can go down within the annals of NBA historical past. Edwards actually desires that for himself, and step one to attending to that degree is by making a press release towards the game’s darling franchise for the second straight season.
(3) Denver Nuggets defeat (6) Los Angeles Clippers, 4-1
A typical theme of this primary spherical, as you possibly can most likely inform, is rematches from final season. Sadly for the Clippers, their greatest effort towards Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets is probably going behind them after taking the league’s greatest participant seven video games within the first spherical final season.
Finally, I anticipate the load of all of the offseason drama and the wear and tear and tear of the lengthy NBA season to take its toll on the Clippers’ getting older roster. I additionally know that Nikola Jokic is Nikola Jokic, and it takes a championship effort to remove him, even in the event you do have depth and well being in your aspect. The Clippers seemingly received’t, and thus, I don’t anticipate this to be a really lengthy sequence.
(7) Golden State Warriors defeat (2) Houston Rockets, 4-3
Shock, shock. One other rematch. And this one may be essentially the most intriguing of the bunch. Kevin Durant, in his first season with the Rockets, could be trying to assist the franchise avenge a heartbreaking Recreation 7 loss from final season on this actual seed line towards the group with which he received his two NBA titles and refused a commerce to finally February.
After it took the Warriors seven video games to remove a Durant-less Rockets workforce final season, the logical conclusion could be that it’s Houston’s flip to flip the script this season. Effectively, not so quick.
The Warriors’ latest acquisition of Al Horford injected extra championship expertise into their lineup, and when push involves shove, I’m nonetheless taking the workforce with confirmed playoff performers in Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler over the one whose most achieved participant’s two championships got here alongside Curry.
Second Spherical Breakdown
Jap Convention
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers defeat (4) Milwaukee Bucks, 4-2
Giannis and the Bucks will make this a hard-fought, aggressive, and sure chippy sequence. I wouldn’t be shocked in the event that they gave the Cavaliers some hassle deep into Recreation 6, however in the end, the Cavaliers’ depth will push them by way of to the Jap Convention Finals.
The half that struck me most concerning the Cavaliers was the respect they obtained from their opponents all through all of final season, and the sheer terror that opposing coaches had when compelled to scheme towards them on each ends of the ground. Like I discussed beforehand, I really really feel the Cavaliers’ second-round loss to the Pacers final postseason was flukier than it will get credit score for. There might be no flukes right here.
(2) New York Knicks defeat (3) Detroit Pistons, 4-3
This would be the sequence that lastly instructions nationwide respect for Cunningham and the Pistons, however the Knicks will discover their approach again to the Jap Convention Finals led by the now intensive postseason expertise that Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Cities, and firm now have.
This might be a sequence we keep in mind for years to return, I consider, as a altering of the guard of kinds within the Jap Convention. The rapid comparability that involves thoughts is the Warriors’ seven-game loss to the Clippers within the first spherical of the 2014 playoffs, which ended up being one of many final hurrahs for a longtime “Lob Metropolis” workforce in LA, whereas on the identical time being Golden State’s final failure earlier than dynastic triumph.
Western Convention
(1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder defeat (5) Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-2
As a lot as my coronary heart want to choose Ant-Man and the Timberwolves to proceed what would definitely be a stamping run by way of the playoffs by beating his most achieved peer in SGA, my mind simply received’t permit me to go there.
Once you strip these rosters down, other than Ant-Man and SGA, the Thunder are simply undeniably deeper, stronger, and it’s arduous to argue that they aren’t higher on the high, too. A part of me feels cautious to be so assured within the Thunder once more this upcoming postseason after they received a handful of lucky breaks to outlive final yr’s championship run.
In the end, that have will bode effectively for a workforce that was clearly over its head at occasions in the course of the playoffs, regardless of the profitable outcome.
(3) Denver Nuggets defeat (7) Golden State Warriors, 4-2
A playoff matchup between Jokic and Curry is just the stuff of legend, however the actuality is that a kind of legends continues to be on the apex of his profession, whereas the opposite is beginning to strategy the again 9. It additionally doesn’t assist that the participant approaching the again 9 can even be coming into stated sequence with a roster filled with teammates who, regardless of their collective championship expertise, are additionally approaching the again 9.
You may’t utterly rely a workforce with Curry on it out till the ultimate buzzer of the sequence sounds, however Jokic and this rejuvenated Nuggets roster will merely be an excessive amount of for the getting older Warriors, regardless of how excessive many are on them this season.
Convention Finals Breakdown
Jap Convention
(1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder defeat (3) Denver Nuggets, 4-2
In a postseason that I predict might be outlined by rematches, that is the one that everybody desires to see. Jokic and the Nuggets very almost ended the Thunder’s storybook NBA Finals run within the second spherical final season, pushing the eventual champions to Recreation 7 in a sequence that many have ended up giving extra credit score to Denver for than Oklahoma Metropolis in hindsight.
The widespread prediction heading into this sequence, even amongst pundits, might be that Jokic and the Nuggets are sure to ship the Thunder packing after falling only a smidge quick final season. That’s how the script could be written, proper? Jokic, the league’s consensus greatest participant, reclaiming his personal particular person crown because the MVP whereas avenging what has turn out to be a defining loss. In all probability. However there’s no script in sports activities, and sports activities typically result in monumental disappointment.
For those who’re a kind of followers who didn’t benefit from the Thunder’s run to the NBA Finals final season, put together for that disappointment once more. As a result of they’re going again and their trek by way of the West might be far much less strenuous than it was final season.
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers defeat (2) New York Knicks, 4-1
The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers handled us to a spectacular Jap Convention Finals final season, among the best in latest reminiscence, even. However the uncomfortable actuality of that sequence is it was so shut as a result of the Pacers introduced a a lot better matchup for the Knicks than the Cavaliers would have.
We already know what I consider would have occurred if Indiana met a completely wholesome Cavaliers workforce within the second spherical, however I additionally suppose {that a} recovered Cavaliers workforce (they’d have been principally wholesome the subsequent spherical) would have made comparatively fast work of the Knicks.
I think the Cavaliers will see a bit extra well being luck this time round and can show that speculation true with a dominant gentleman’s sweep over the New York Knicks. There received’t be a lot taunting from Spike Lee on this sequence.
2026 NBA Finals Prediction
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers defeat (1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, 4-2
One in all my favourite tropes in all of sports activities is the dominant regular-season workforce that suffers an unthinkable and catastrophic loss throughout a postseason wherein it had the very best aspirations, simply to tug all of it collectively and full a championship run the next season after being counted out as frauds.
Probably the most outstanding instance in latest historical past was the 2019 Virginia basketball workforce, sarcastically nicknamed the Cavaliers, who went on a dominant run by way of the NCAA match that season after turning into the primary No. 1 seed within the historical past of the lads’s match to lose to a 16 seed the earlier season. Enter Cleveland, who’s about to exorcise related demons in 2026.
It appears the Cavaliers have turn out to be an afterthought to win the title and even an afterthought to win their very own convention compared to the media darling Knicks. The Vegas odds and primarily each dependable statistical mannequin level to the indisputable fact the Cavaliers are the overwhelming favourite within the Jap Convention.
The Thunder, after all, are a traditionally nice workforce themselves. However final season’s NBA Finals and even their sequence towards the Nuggets proved they’re extra spectacular while you take a look at the cumulative information over a season than they’re when these matchups with elite groups really current themselves.
The Thunder had their hardest defensive take a look at towards Indiana’s offense, from the motion to the workforce’s shot-making capabilities, and people issues will once more come to mild towards the Cavaliers. Led by the reigning DPOY Mobley and stalwart Jarett Allen on the defensive finish, the Cavaliers can even convey a degree of depth that can make Oklahoma Metropolis extra uncomfortable than the Pacers made them in final season’s version of the Finals.
I make the comparability between this Cavaliers workforce and final yr’s Pacers workforce, not solely as a result of I consider a wholesome Cavaliers workforce would have received that sequence final yr, but additionally as a result of we noticed simply how a lot hassle the Thunder had with an Indiana workforce that I consider was much less outfitted than the Cavaliers would have been if issues had gone proper.
The kicker? I don’t even suppose this goes seven video games. Cavaliers in six.
