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)
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Visit NBA.com‘s NBA Playoffs section.
Read the latest articles about the NBA Playoffs:
The 2019-2020 Toronto Raptors are one of the most balanced teams in history and are doing something that hasn’t been done since 1973-1974.
Lakers star LeBron James admitted a surprising choice for his toughest championship run given his extensive NBA Finals experience.
The Oklahoma City Thunder weren’t given any chance to make the 2020 postseason, but they defied the odds to earn the No. 5 seed in the West.
A look at the instances in which the No. 8 seed has knocked off the No. 1 seed in the NBA playoffs since the postseason expanded to 16 teams.
The Boston Celtics just suffered a brutal blow to their NBA title quest, as Gordon Hayward will miss 4 weeks with an ankle injury.
In the league’s almost 75 years, the NBA playoffs have featured some legendary individual performances. Here’s a look at the top 10 most points scored in an NBA playoff game.
Lakers GM Rob Pelinka sent a terrifying message about LeBron James and his playoff mentality. But will LA achieve its NBA title dream?
A look at the biggest storyline for every first-round series of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
It goes without saying that the 2020 NBA season was a bit unconventional. How will the NBA playoffs work inside of the Orlando bubble?
The NBA playoffs are finally here. Get ready for the postseason with our in-depth preview filled with predictions and best bets for round 1.
