The 2026 NBA postseason continues with two battles for the 8-seed, as the Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Hornets and the Phoenix Suns host the Golden State Warriors. Which two teams will secure the final playoff spots?
Our NBA experts are picking Friday's play-in games, plus every first-round series.
Jump to: Play-in tournament East first round West first round
Play-in tournament
Orlando Magic (8) vs. Charlotte Hornets (9)
Jamal Collier: Hornets
Vincent Goodwill: Hornets
Zach Kram: Hornets
Tim MacMahon: Hornets
Bobby Marks: Hornets
Dave McMenamin: Hornets
Anthony Slater: Magic
Marc J. Spears: Magic
Ohm Youngmisuk: Hornets
Final tally: Hornets 7, Magic 2
Phoenix Suns (7) vs. Golden State Warriors (10)
Jamal Collier: Warriors
Vincent Goodwill: Warriors
Zach Kram: Warriors
Tim MacMahon: Suns
Bobby Marks: Suns
Dave McMenamin: Suns
Anthony Slater: Warriors
Marc J. Spears: Warriors
Ohm Youngmisuk: Warriors
Final tally: Warriors 6, Suns 3
Eastern Conference first round
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Jamal Collier: Celtics in 5
Vincent Goodwill: Celtics in 5
Zach Kram: Celtics in 5
Tim MacMahon: Celtics in 5
Bobby Marks: Celtics in 6
Dave McMenamin: Celtics in 6
Anthony Slater: Celtics in 6
Marc J. Spears: Celtics in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Celtics in 5
Final tally: Celtics 9, 76ers 0
New York Knicks (3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6)
Jerry Bembry: Knicks in 6
Jamal Collier: Knicks in 5
Vincent Goodwill: Knicks in 6
Baxter Holmes: Knicks in 6
Zach Kram: Knicks in 7
Tim MacMahon: Knicks in 6
Dave McMenamin: Knicks in 6