NBA Playoffs
First implemented in 1984, the NBA Playoffs’ current format involves 16 teams competing in four rounds. The first round was best-of-five until 2003 when it became a best-of-seven matchup. Since the 2016 playoffs, the top six teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences qualify according to their win-loss records.
The coronavirus pandemic changed how teams qualify for the NBA Playoffs as the league managed two shortened seasons. Now, the play-in tournament grants two teams with playoff seeds No. 7 and No. 8 employing a four-team, three-game format.
- Number of participating teams: 16
- Rounds: four
- Format: best of seven games
- Most NBA Playoff appearances: Los Angeles Lakers (63)
- Least NBA Playoff appearances: New Orleans Pelicans (7)
- Longest NBA Playoff drought: Sacramento Kings (last appearance: 2005-06)
- Longest active NBA Playoff appearance streak: Portland Trail Blazers (8 consecutive playoffs since 2013-14)
- Longest NBA Playoff streak ever: San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers (22 consecutive seasons)
Featured articles:
NBA Playoffs: How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Work?
The Most Significant NBA Playoff Injuries of All Time
Larry Bird Cried Foul in the 1998 NBA Playoffs and Drew a Brutal Response From Phil Jackson
Visit NBA.com‘s NBA Playoffs section.
Read the latest articles about the NBA Playoffs:
Steph Curry had a hilarious and meme-worthy response to a question about the Warriors possibly facing the Lakers in the Play-In Tournament.
The Boston Celtics and LA Lakers are both in serious danger of being included in the new NBA play-in tournament.
Of the 20 franchises to have won at least one NBA title, which five are on the longest title droughts?
James Harden has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early April, but he’ll be back with the Brooklyn Nets for a playoff run.
Luka Doncic’s latest two technical fouls puts him one away from a suspension, which the Dallas Mavericks cant afford this late in the season.
A look at how the new NBA play-in tournament works.
Michael Jordan set an NBA playoffs record in 1992 that is now literally impossible for anyone to break.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin once mimicked an iconic moment of his 23XI Racing partner, Michael Jordan.
Last season, the Phoenix Suns joined a small group of NBA teams to miss the playoffs at least 10 years in a row. The Suns clinched a spot Wednesday, but another team may tie the record for the longest dry spell.
A look at the title history of the Nets franchise, both in the NBA and ABA.
