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

The stage is set for a highly anticipated playoff series between NBA legends LeBron James and Kevin Durant, as the seedings for the postseason have been confirmed on the final night of the regular season. A total of six teams in both conferences have secured their playoff spots, with four additional teams in each conference set to compete in the play-in tournament. 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. In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics have secured the second seed, while the New York Knicks have locked up the third seed and will face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Toronto Raptors, and the Detroit Pistons have secured the top seed in the East. The play-in tournament will feature the Philadelphia 76ers against the Orlando Magic, with the winner advancing to face the Celtics. The Charlotte Hornets will host the Miami Heat, with the winner meeting the loser of the Magic-76ers matchup for the final Eastern playoff spot. In the Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers have earned the eighth spot and will face the Phoenix Suns in the play-in tournament. The Los Angeles Clippers will face the Golden State Warriors, with the winner meeting the loser of the Suns vs Trail Blazers for a chance to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seed in the West. The Denver Nuggets have locked up the third seed and will face the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the San Antonio Spurs will face the winner of the Trail Blazers vs Suns play-in game. The 2026 NBA playoffs will begin on Sky Sports on April 19, with four live games scheduled. The Western Conference Finals will also be shown live on Sky Sports from May 20.