2026 NBA Play-In: Who Locked the 7th Seed?

The 2026 postseason matchups are ready, and with the first round coming up, fans want to know which teams made it through the NBA play-in. Each April, this part of the season challenges teams as they fight to keep their championship hopes alive.

The play-in format adds excitement for NBA fans. The seventh and eighth seeds play one game, and the winner takes the seventh seed and moves to the first round. The loser gets another shot by playing the winner of the nine-versus-ten game for the last playoff spot.

The Eastern Conference Results

In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers grabbed the seventh seed by beating the Orlando Magic 109-97. Their tough defense and good shooting let them take the lead early and keep it for the whole game.

With this win, Philadelphia skipped another elimination game and now faces the Boston Celtics in the first round. This matchup will challenge their strategy and depth.

The Western Conference Results

The Western Conference play-in was a tight game. The Phoenix Suns started as the seventh seed and held onto their spot by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 114-110. This win let them skip another elimination game.

Next, the Phoenix Suns will play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. This matchup changes the bracket and sets up a Western playoff run that should have fast-paced action and quick transitions.

Summary of Qualified Seeds

• Eastern Conference 7th Seed: Philadelphia 76ers

• Western Conference 7th Seed: Phoenix Suns

What’s Next for the Postseason

The play-in tournament has set up the 2026 NBA playoffs. Now that the matchups are set, everyone is watching the best-of-seven series as teams chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The 76ers and Suns have momentum from their play-in wins. Every possession matters now, and mistakes are harder to fix as the games get tougher.

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