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:
Mason Plumlee might not be the one to blame for the Nuggets’ defensive breakdown on Anthony Davis’ game-winning shot in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
LeBron James just unleashed the NBA’s worst nightmare after the Lakers star expressed his displeasure about getting snubbed in MVP voting.
Miami Heat All-Star Jimmy Butler has sent a bold message to the remaining teams in the NBA playoffs in the Orlando bubble.
The NBA boycott ironically occurred on the anniversary of Colin Kaepernick’s first protest. In doing so, NBA players validated his mission.
Following teams boycotting their NBA playoff games on Wednesday, NBA legend Charles Barkley appeared on CNN and gave a powerful message.
Longtime activist Craig Hodges asked Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson to boycott Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals to protest social injustice.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic had two dreams related to basketball while growing up. He’s just 21 years old and has accomplished both.
‘Undisputed’ co-host Skip Bayless is engaged in a feud with Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and is actively rooting against him.
Kemba Walker just proved why the Celtics will never regret losing Kyrie Irving after he helped Boston score a first-round sweep of the 76ers.
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic had a record-setting performance in Game 4 of the Mavs’ first-round series with the LA Clippers.
