🏀 NBA 2026-27
How we compute it
Arithmetic, not probability. The minimum wins that guarantee a top-10 (play-in) spot even if every rival wins out, and whether elimination is already mathematical. A direct berth (top 6) is counted separately.
- 1Eight playoff spots per conference: seeds 1–6 direct, and the 7–10 play-in tournament decides the last two.
- 2The magic number assumes every other team wins all remaining games, and is the minimum wins that still put you in the top 10 (play-in). A direct berth (top 6) is counted separately.
- 3Elimination means you miss the top 10 even if you win out and everyone else loses out. The tragic number is the losses left until that state.
- 4Ties always go against the team in question. Official tiebreakers (head-to-head, division record) are not applied, so these numbers are conservative — they clinch later than official.
- 5Data from ESPN public records, refreshed every 10 minutes. Times are shown in KST.
❓ FAQ
Does winning the division get you in?
No. Since 2016 division standings have no bearing on seeding. Only conference win percentage counts.
Do these numbers use official tiebreakers?
No. They use win percentage and games remaining only, and ties go against the team in question, so a clinch can show later than official. Head-to-head and division records are not applied.