The 2023-24 NBA season is nearing its climax, and the excitement for the playoffs is palpable. With just four games left before the NBA playoffs kick off, fans are buzzing to see if Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets can defend their title and claim the coveted Bill O'Brien trophy.

While the Eastern Conference is dominated by the Boston Celtics, boasting a remarkable 62 wins, their playoff history reveals vulnerabilities at crucial moments. The true contenders will be unveiled as the NBA playoff picture unfolds.

When do the NBA Playoffs Start And How Does The Tournament Work

Mark your calendars! The regular season concludes on April 14th, followed immediately by the Play-in Tournament, taking place between April 16th and 19th. Following these high-stakes matchups, the NBA playoffs officially commence on April 20th, leading us through five weeks of electrifying basketball culminating in the NBA Finals on June 6th.

The Play-in Tournament serves as a final hurdle for four teams vying for the last two playoff spots. This stage features a battle between the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth seeds from each conference. The victor of the 7th vs. 8th seed matchup advances directly to the playoffs, while the loser faces the winner of the 9th vs. 10th seed game to determine the eighth and final playoff spot.

While the exact pairings haven't been solidified, the eight qualifying teams are locked in. In the East, the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks have secured the ninth and tenth seeds, respectively. The Western Conference is witnessing a close battle between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors for Play-in positioning.

As of now, four teams have secured their NBA playoff spots, with the final seeding still up for grabs. The Boston Celtics reign supreme in the East, boasting a dominant 15-game lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently hold the second seed.

In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets are neck-and-neck for the top seed with identical 54-24 records, closely followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder. These three teams have already punched their tickets to the playoffs.

Here's a Glimpse at the Current Playoff Picture:

Eastern Conference:

Boston Celtics

Milwaukee Bucks

Orlando Magic

New York Knicks

Cleveland Cavaliers

Indiana Pacers

Philadelphia 76ers

Miami Heat

Chicago Bulls (Play-In)

Atlanta Hawks (Play-In)

Western Conference:

Minnesota Timberwolves (tie)

Denver Nuggets (tie)

Oklahoma City Thunder

Los Angeles Clippers

Dallas Mavericks

Phoenix Suns

New Orleans Pelicans

Sacramento Kings

Los Angeles Lakers (Play-In)

Golden State Warriors (Play-In)

As the regular season concludes and the NBA playoffs approach, basketball fans worldwide eagerly await the captivating matchups and fierce competition that define the race for NBA glory.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news by reading our blog.

Stay connected with us on our social networks for the latest updates Facebook, and X