The 2025-26 NBA regular season has concluded, which brings us to the play-in tournament field, which was largely determined before the 82nd game of the season. Now that the matchups have been determined, it's time to predict how the matchups will unfold.
Let's take a look at our 2026 NBA Play-in Tournament predictions.
(8) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (7) Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns went 2–1 with a +7 point differential in their head-to-head meetings against the Portland Trail Blazers during the regular season. However, it is worth noting that Devin Booker did not play in either of the two February matches and Deni Avdija only played 1 minute in both contests.
A key in this matchup will be what Phoenix gets from Devin Booker. He scored more than 30 points in 24 regular season games, but when this happened the Suns posted only a .500 record. Portland's physicality could also pose a real problem for Phoenix, especially since several of its key players are unsuccessful. In a tight game, we're picking the Trail Blazers to surprise on the road.
- Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers 121, Phoenix Suns 118
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(10) Golden State Warriors vs. (9) Los Angeles Clippers
The NBA play-in tournament battle between Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard, it's a recipe for greatness. Since it is an elimination game, the stakes are even higher, with the loser's season ending and the winner fighting for the No. 8 seed against the loser of the first play-in game.
Generally, it isn't wise to pick against Curry and the Golden State Warriors in such a big game. However, what Kawhi Leonard has done for the Los Angeles Clippers recently is absurd. Over his final 35 games, Leonard averaged 27.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 37.4 percent from the perimeter and 51.1 percent from the field. Let's also remember that he has averaged 27.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game in the playoffs since 2015. Since Golden State is not well-equipped to stop Los Angeles where it is weakest, Leonard can single-handedly win this game.
- Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers 114, Golden State Warriors 108
(10) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (7) Phoenix Suns
It's worth looking back at the changes the Clippers have made this season. On December 18, the team lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder by 21 points and fell to 6–21. They finished the season by winning 36 of their last 55 games, a .655 winning percentage that puts them in the same company as the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. Leonard has been similarly impressive. It would continue on the road in Phoenix, where he would defeat Devin Booker and the Suns to clinch the Clippers' spot as the No. 8 seed.
- Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers 110, Phoenix Suns 103
(8) Orlando Magic vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without Joel Embiid in this one, which certainly makes this matchup against the Orlando Magic more interesting. That said, Philadelphia has home-court advantage and it's not like Tyrese Maxey (28.3 ppg and 6.6 apg) isn't capable of leading the 76ers to victory. That neither of these teams is all that dominant is shown by the fact that the 76ers (18-33) and Magic (23-30) both had very poor records against winning teams. What Orlando brings to the table is more experience playing in close games, and this team finished their season winning five of their last six. We're seeing this momentum continue on Wednesday, with Desmond Benn, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero putting on a scoring clinic for Maxi.
- Prediction: Orlando Magic 110, Philadelphia 76ers 105
(10) Miami Heat vs. (9) Charlotte Hornets
Many did not expect the Charlotte Hornets to be the No. 9 seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament this year, but Brandon Miller's big improvements along with the great play of rookie Kenn Knueppel have them now on the cusp of making the first round. As for the Miami Heat, they cooled off with a 3-10 record before picking up two cheap wins to end the regular season. We see Miami having plenty of scoring threats to handle, which will give Charlotte fans the experience of seeing the Hornets win a playoff game on home turf.
- Prediction: Charlotte Hornets 122, Miami Heat 115
(9) Charlotte Hornets vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
LaMelo Ball will get his moment in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a strong performance to send the Hornets into a first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Tyrese Maxey will do everything he can for Philadelphia, combining for over 70 points in these two games. That wouldn't be enough, Embiid's appendectomy would prove to be the reason the 76ers would suffer another early playoff exit.
- Prediction: Charlotte Hornets 114, Philadelphia 76ers 110
