NBA 2026–27 Season Predictions: Full Standings, Playoff Predictions, Awards & More!
I can’t believe we’ve made it. After a summer full of exciting player movement, a rookie class that’s been hyped up like few we’ve seen in recent years, and a whole new set of anti-tanking rules, the 2026–27 NBA season tips off tomorrow night. With that, it’s time to make some predictions.
I think this could be one of the more interesting seasons in NBA history. It feels like there are two teams, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, that are a lot better than everyone else. Yet, I still wouldn’t be surprised if neither team is the one hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy come June.
This has the potential to be one of the most competitive seasons in NBA history, with plenty of teams believing they have a legitimate shot at winning the title. After all, we’ve seen eight different champions in the last eight seasons, so why should this year be any different?
Will we see a ninth different champion in nine years? Let’s get into it. Here are my predictions for the 2026–27 NBA season, covering the standings, playoffs, awards, and All-NBA teams. I can’t wait to get this season started.
Eastern Conference Predicted Standings
Team | Record | Playoffs |
| 54-28 | X |
| 51-31 | X |
| 51-31 | X |
| 48-34 | X |
| 48-34 | X |
| 47-35 | X |
| 47-35 | Play-In |
| 46-36 | Play-In |
| 44-38 | Play-In |
| 41-41 | Play-In |
| 36-46 | — |
| 33-49 | — |
| 28-54 | — |
| 18-64 | — |
| 18-64 | — |
For the first time in what feels like forever, the Eastern Conference feels significantly more competitive with the Western Conference. There probably isn’t a team in the East as good as the Thunder or Spurs, but from top to bottom, this conference will be competitive as hell.
I’ve got the Boston Celtics finishing as the No. 1 seed. Despite trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George this offseason in a move that was frowned upon, Boston still won 56 games last year without Jayson Tatum for most of the season, and with Tatum back alongside additions like George and Mitchell Robinson, I think they could be even better overall. I’m expecting an MVP-caliber season from Tatum, and the Celtics will be a regular-season wins machine.
The Cleveland Cavaliers finish second, followed by the New York Knicks in third. The Cavs you can count on to win plenty of games during the regular season, and I think New York could experience a championship hangover. I also do have some concerns about the contract situations involving Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns, but they’re still one of the most talented teams in the East.
I’ve got the Toronto Raptors fourth, who I think are a legit title contender with Kawhi Leonard and Scotie Barnes; the Philadelphia 76ers fifth with their new squad; and the Miami Heat sixth after adding Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Philadelphia might have the highest ceiling in the conference with LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe, but health will be key.
The Indiana Pacers return to the postseason in seventh after a difficult year following their 2025 NBA Finals appearance, while the Detroit Pistons fall to eighth despite winning 60 games last season. I think the East has improved significantly, and Detroit hasn’t done enough to keep pace.
The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks round out my play-in teams.
Just outside the picture, I think the Washington Wizards will be entertaining, but questions about Anthony Davis and Trae Young’s health, along with the pressure on rookie AJ Dybantsa, make it difficult to predict a playoff spot. I’ve got the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls further down the standings, with Milwaukee and Brooklyn finishing as the two worst teams in the conference.
Western Conference Predicted Standings
Team | Record | Playoffs |
| 64-18 | X |
| 63-19 | X |
| 50-32 | X |
| 50-32 | X |
| 48-34 | X |
| 48-34 | X |
| 41-41 | Play-In |
| 39-43 | Play-In |
| 39-43 | Play-In |
| 38-44 | Play-In |
| 36-46 | — |
| 32-50 | — |
| 29-53 | — |
| 27-55 | — |
| 17-65 | — |
The top two in the Western Conference are easy for me.
I’ve got the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 1, as they should be much healthier than they were last year, followed by the San Antonio Spurs, who continue their ascent after making the NBA Finals. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are firmly a top-two team in the conference, if not the league.
In third, I’ve got the Houston Rockets. I’m probably falling for the hype, as Kevin Durant-led teams have a history of disappointing, but Houston won 50 games last season, and I think the chemistry will be better with Fred VanVleet returning from injury.
The Denver Nuggets come in fourth, with Nikola Jokic continuing to be a regular-season wins machine, and in fifth, I’m higher on the Los Angeles Lakers than most. Luka Doncic is still a top-four player in the league in my opinion, Austin Reaves keeps improving, and I like the additions they’ve made to build a more Luka-centric team. Losing LeBron James will hurt, but I think it was best for both sides, and I’m betting on Walker Kessler staying healthy and JJ Redick continuing to improve as a coach.
In sixth, I’ve got the Minnesota Timberwolves. Adding LaMelo Ball gives them a higher ceiling but also a lower floor, as I still question his ability to stay healthy for a full season. Anthony Edwards will continue proving he’s one of the league’s best, but Minnesota finishes in familiar territory.
The Portland Trail Blazers come in seventh, as I’m intrigued by their talent, although figuring out how Ja Morant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Damian Lillard fit together could take time. Deni Avdija should take another leap, and I think Portland gets into the play-in. In eighth, I love the Utah Jazz’s depth, with Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ace Bailey, and Darryn Peterson giving Will Hardy plenty to work with. I think Utah can make the play-in and potentially go even further.
In ninth, I’ve got the Dallas Mavericks, largely because I believe Cooper Flagg is ready to take a superstar leap in his second season. With Kyrie Irving returning from injury, I think the two can quickly become one of the better duos in the NBA, helping Dallas sneak into the playoffs (as you'll see later).
The Phoenix Suns finish tenth after overachieving last season without doing enough to keep pace with the teams around them.
In the eleventh, I’ve got the Golden State Warriors. The tide is turning in the NBA, and I think this team is running out of time. They’re old, lack the talent they once had, and if Steph Curry plays around 50 games again, I don’t see them making the postseason. The Memphis Grizzlies come in twelfth. They have a great young team, and Cam Boozer should be a Rookie of the Year candidate, but I think the hype has gotten a little out of hand. In the thirteenth, I’ve got the Los Angeles Clippers, who should still try to be competitive but simply don’t have enough to contend.
The New Orleans Pelicans finish fourteenth, and hopefully this is Zion Williamson’s last season there. This team has too many missing pieces, and it’s time to pick a direction and move some assets. Finally, the Sacramento Kings finish fifteenth. It’s unfortunate to see Ben Simmons suffer a torn Achilles after working so hard to get back into the NBA, but Sacramento simply lacks the talent to compete with the rest of the conference. I think it’s going to be a rough season in Sacramento, and the Kings will finish as the worst team in the NBA.
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Eastern Conference
Play-In:
(7) Pacers vs (8) Pistons - Pacers Win, Get 7 Seed
(9) Magic vs (10) Hawks - Hawks Win
(8) Pistons vs (10) Hawks - Pistons Win, Get 8 Seed
First Round
(1) Boston Celtics vs (8) Detroit Pistons
Prediction: Celtics in 4
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (7) Indiana Pacers
Prediction: Pacers in 6
(3) New York Knicks vs (6) Miami Heat
Prediction: Knicks in 6
(4) Toronto Raptors vs (5) Philadelphia 76ers
Prediction: 76ers in 7
Second Round
(1) Boston Celtics vs (5) Philadelphia 76ers
Prediction: 76ers in 6
(3) New York Knicks vs (7) Indiana Pacers
Prediction: Pacers in 7
Eastern Conference Final
(5) Philadelphia 76ers vs (7) Indiana Pacers
Prediction: 76ers in 7
Western Conference
Play-In:
(7) Trailblazers vs (8) Jazz - Jazz, Get 7 Seed
(9) Mavericks vs (10) Suns - Mavericks Win
(7) Trailblazers vs (9) Mavericks - Mavericks Win, Get 8 Seed
First Round
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (8) Dallas Mavericks
Prediction: Thunder in 4
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (7) Utah Jazz
Prediction: Spurs in 4
(3) Houston Rockets vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Prediction: Timberwolves in 6
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Lakers in 6
Second Round
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (5) Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Thunder in 4
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Prediction: Spurs in 5
Western Conference Final
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (2) San Antonio Spurs
Prediction: Spurs in 6
2027 NBA Finals: Philadelphia 76ers vs San Antonio Spurs - Spurs in 5
I’ve got the San Antonio Spurs taking on the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Finals, with San Antonio avenging its loss to the Knicks last year and winning the championship.
In the East, I just have too many questions. Will Boston actually be good enough to make the Finals? Can Cleveland finally get over the hump? How will the Knicks handle being the hunted instead of the hunter? Will Toronto be healthy enough, and is it asking too much of Tyrese Haliburton to return from a torn Achilles and get Indiana back to the Finals? Do the Heat have enough playmakers around Giannis? With so many questions and no team I fully trust, I’m going with the Sixers, who I think have the highest ceiling. Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey are already a strong trio, and adding LeBron James and Joel Embiid gives Philadelphia a chance to make a serious run, assuming they’re healthy.
In the West, I think San Antonio will be on a mission to avenge what was an embarrassing Finals performance last year against the Knicks.
I’ve got the Spurs getting past Oklahoma City for the second straight year, as I think the Thunder have gotten worse on paper while San Antonio’s young players will continue to improve.
In the Finals, I think the Spurs will simply be too athletic, too quick, and too hungry for Philadelphia to handle. It would be another dream scenario for the NBA, with the old taking on the new and LeBron facing Victor Wembanyama, but I think San Antonio makes relatively quick work of the Sixers. Wembanyama wins his first championship in Year 4, and the Spurs become the ninth different NBA champion in nine years.
2027 Awards Ballot
MVP:
Victor Wembanyama - Spurs (Winner)
Jayson Tatum - Celtics
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Thunder
Luka Doncic - Lakers
Nikola Jokic - Nuggets
Rookie of the Year:
Darryn Peterson - Jazz (Winner)
Cameron Boozer - Grizzlies
AJ Dybantsa - Wizards
Caleb Wilson - Bulls
Yaxel Lendeborg - Warriors
Defensive Player of the Year:
Victor Wembanyama - Spurs (Winner)
Scottie Barnes - Raptors
Chet Holmgren - Thunder
Rudy Gobert - Timberwolves
Ausar Thompson - Pistons
Sixth Man of the Year:
Ajay Mitchell - Thunder (Winner)
Dylan Harper - Spurs
Payton Pritchard - Celtics
DeMar DeRozan - Nuggets
Collin Murray-Boyles - Raptors
Most Improved Player:
Payton Pritchard - Celtics (Winner)
Zach Edey - Grizzlies
Dylan Harper - Spurs
Ajay Mitchell - Thunder
Collin Murray-Boyles - Raptors
All-NBA First Team
Victor Wembanyama - Spurs
Jayson Tatum - Celtics
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Thunder
Luka Doncic - Lakers
Nikola Jokic - Nuggets
All-NBA Second Team
Donovan Mitchell - Cavaliers
Jalen Brunson - Knicks
Kevin Durant - Rockets
Giannis Antetokoumpo - Heat
Scottie Barnes - Raptors
All-NBA Third Team
Jaylen Brown - 76ers
Tyrese Maxey - 76ers
Cade Cunningham - Pistons
Cooper Flagg - Mavericks
Anthony Edwards - Timberwolves
Other Fun Predictions:
Kyrie Irving plays playoff games... I think in Dallas, but if they fall down the standings, a trade seems likely (PSA to get Irving on the Raptors!).
Notable players who DO NOT play enough games to be eligible for end-of-season awards: Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid
Luka Doncic averages 35 points per game
Jayson Tatum averages 30 points per game
This is Karl-Anthony Towns' final year with the Knicks
The Golden State Warriors win the draft lottery and get the number 1 pick
Aaron Silcoff attends an NBA game
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