The 2026 NBA playoffs tip off this weekend with a bracket full of intriguing matchups. The Oklahoma City Thunder enter as the top seed and betting favorites, but the path to the championship is loaded with dangerous contenders.
The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-caliber season, finished with a league-best 62-20 record. Their defense, anchored by Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama trade acquisition, gives them a historically elite two-way formula.
The Boston Celtics are the Eastern Conference favorites and defending champions, seeking a three-peat. Jayson Tatum has elevated his game to another level, averaging 28.5 points and 8.2 assists. Their first-round matchup against the Miami Heat evokes memories of past playoff battles.
Denver's Nikola Jokic continues to be a playoff force, and the Nuggets' experience gives them a ceiling that few teams can match. Their second-round collision course with the Thunder could be the series of the entire postseason.
The biggest first-round upset potential lies in the Memphis Grizzlies-Dallas Mavericks matchup. Memphis's Ja Morant has been transcendent since his return, and the Grizzlies' defensive intensity could overwhelm Dallas's offense-first approach.
