NBA 2026-27
Scenario calculator
Pick a team and call its remaining games. You get the final record, the possible rank range, whether East/West seed 10 is guaranteed, and what rivals must do. Arithmetic, not probability.
How many teams make the NBA playoffs?
Eight per conference, sixteen in all. Seeds 1–6 go directly; seeds 7–10 play the play-in tournament for the 7 and 8 seeds. The 7 vs 8 winner takes the 7 seed; its loser faces the 9 vs 10 winner for the 8 seed.
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.
East
Team
81 games left
Result
- Projected final
- 1-81 .012
- Possible rank
- 1–15
To lock it in at this record, rivals must
- Brooklyn Nets — lose at least 82 of their remaining games2
- New York Knicks — lose at least 82 of their remaining games3
- Philadelphia 76ers — lose at least 82 of their remaining games4
- Toronto Raptors — lose at least 82 of their remaining games5
- Chicago Bulls — lose at least 82 of their remaining games6
- Cleveland Cavaliers — lose at least 82 of their remaining games7
West
Team
82 games left
Result
- Projected final
- 0-82 .000
- Possible rank
- 1–15
To lock it in at this record, rivals must
- Minnesota Timberwolves — lose at least 82+ of their remaining games2
- Portland Trail Blazers — lose at least 82+ of their remaining games3
- Oklahoma City Thunder — lose at least 82+ of their remaining games4
- Utah Jazz — lose at least 82+ of their remaining games5
- Golden State Warriors — lose at least 82+ of their remaining games6
- LA Clippers — lose at least 82+ of their remaining games7
Data: compiled directly from ESPN public records. Standings and scenarios are our own calculations and may differ from official announcements.