Durant and James Set to Clash in Playoffs as NBA Seedings Are Confirmed

The stage is set for a thrilling playoff series between NBA legends Kevin Durant and LeBron James, with the seedings now confirmed after the final night of the regular season. A total of six teams in both conferences have secured their playoff spots, while four more teams in each conference will compete in the play-in tournament. James' LA Lakers have locked up the fourth seed in the Western Conference, giving them home court advantage in their best-of-seven series against Durant's Houston Rockets, who are the fifth seed. The Eastern Conference saw a dramatic conclusion to the regular season, with the Boston Celtics defeating the Orlando Magic to drop them into the eighth spot and the play-in tournament. The Magic will face the Philadelphia 76ers, with the winner advancing to the first round of the playoffs to face the Celtics. The New York Knicks have secured the No. 3 seed in the east and will meet the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Toronto Raptors. In the west, the Portland Trail Blazers have earned the eighth spot and will play the Phoenix Suns in the 7/8 play-in match-up, with the winner facing the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Los Angeles Clippers will play the Golden State Warriors in the 9/10 playoff elimination game, with the winner meeting the loser of the Suns vs Trail Blazers for a chance to face the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Denver Nuggets, who ended the regular season on a 12-game winning streak, have locked up the No. 3 seed and will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. The 2026 NBA playoffs will begin on Sky Sports on April 19, with four live games on Sky Sports Action from 6pm onwards.