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

The stage is set for a highly anticipated matchup between NBA legends Kevin Durant and LeBron James in the playoffs, following the confirmation of seedings on the final night of the regular season. Six teams in each conference have secured their playoff spots, with four more teams in each conference set to compete in the play-in. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by James, have locked up the fourth seed in the Western Conference, earning home court advantage in their best-of-seven series against Durant's Houston Rockets, who are the fifth seed. The Eastern Conference saw intense drama on the final night of the regular season, with the Boston Celtics defeating the Orlando Magic, which dropped Orlando into the eighth spot and the play-in. 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 of the playoffs, while the Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Toronto Raptors. In the West, the Portland Trail Blazers have earned the eighth spot and will have two chances to win one game and clinch a playoff berth. The Trail Blazers will face the Phoenix Suns in the 7/8 play-in matchup, with the winner going on to face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Golden State Warriors in the 9/10 playoff elimination game, with the winner meeting the loser of the Suns vs Trail Blazers for the chance to take on 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 of the playoffs. The 2026 NBA playoffs will begin on Sky Sports on April 19, with four live games on Sky Sports Action from 6pm onwards.