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?
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Visit NBA.com‘s NBA Playoffs section.
Read the latest articles about the NBA Playoffs:
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A look at the NBA championships won by the Los Angeles Lakers, who have the most NBA Finals appearances in league history.
Memphis Grizzlies guard and likely NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant brings a refreshing attitude to the bubble in Orlando.
When the NBA season resumes, players may wear a $299 ring that could save their lives. How will that impact the NBA playoffs?
From the World Cup to the NBA Finals to the O.J. Simpson car chase, June 17, 1994, was one the craziest days in the history of sports.
Zion Williamson is already one of the NBA’s biggest stars. The league may make a massive change to ensure he’ll be in the NBA playoffs.
A look back at the day that Isiah Thomas had to keep a heartbreaking secret from Detroit Pistons teammate Joe Dumars in the 1990 NBA Finals.
A look at what the 2020 NBA Playoffs would look like under the proposed 1-16 seeding format in which conference isn’t a factor.
Jerry Sloan was an NBA legend as the longtime coach of the Utah Jazz. He also assembled a huge tractor collection that he ended up selling.
