Key Takeaways
- The NBA Play‑In Tournament concluded on Friday, locking in the 2026 Draft Lottery order: the Orlando Magic earned the 8th seed in the East, the Charlotte Hornets fall to the 14th (final lottery) spot, and the Phoenix Suns advanced to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, pushing the Warriors to the 11th slot.
- Ties remain for the 4th (Utah Jazz & Sacramento Kings, both 22‑60) and 7th (Atlanta Hawks via New Orleans & Dallas Mavericks) positions; coin flips to break these ties are scheduled for April 20, just after the playoffs begin.
- Draft‑lottery odds are now set, with the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each holding a 14 % chance at the No. 1 overall pick. The Jazz and Kings share 11.5 %, the Grizzlies 9 %, the Hawks and Mavericks 6.8 %, the Bulls 4.5 %, the Bucks 3 %, the Warriors 2 %, the Thunder (via the Clippers) 1.5 %, the Heat 1 %, and the Hornets 0.5 %.
- Even tiny odds can matter – the Mavericks’ slim chance last season translated into a No. 1 pick, illustrating how the lottery’s variance can reshape franchises.
- Key upcoming dates: Early Entry deadline ends April 24; the NBA Combine runs May 8‑10; the Draft Lottery occurs May 10; the 2026 NBA Draft will be held over two nights, June 23‑24, beginning at 7 p.m. CT each evening.
After Friday’s Play‑In slate, the NBA’s 2026 Draft Lottery picture is now clear, pending only a couple of tie‑breakers. In the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic dominated the Hornets, building a near‑30‑point halftime lead and never relinquishing it. That victory secures Orlando as the East’s No. 8 seed, while Charlotte, with a 44‑38 record, slides to the 14th and final lottery position. Out West, the Phoenix Suns edged the Golden State Warriors in a tighter contest. After a competitive first three quarters, Phoenix exploded in the fourth, fueled by a strong performance from Jalen Green, to claim a double‑digit win. The Suns’ triumph moves them into a first‑round matchup with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, which in turn cements Golden State’s standing at the 11th seed.
Because the Play‑In results have set the lottery order, several teams now know exact odds – unless ties force a coin flip. The Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings are locked together at 22‑60, sharing the No. 4 slot. Similarly, the Atlanta Hawks (acquiring their pick via the New Orleans Pelicans) and the Dallas Mavericks are tied for No. 7 at identical records. The league has announced that these ties will be resolved by coin flips on April 20, just days after the start of the NBA Playoffs. While the flips could shift a team a spot up or down, the impact on lottery odds is expected to be minimal; the percentages for each team remain essentially as they stand today.
The current odds for the No. 1 overall pick are headlined by three teams each holding a 14 % chance: the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets. Following them, the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings each carry an 11.5 % probability. The Memphis Grizzlies sit at 9 %, while the Hawks and Mavericks share a 6.8 % chance. The Chicago Bulls hold a 4.5 % shot, the Milwaukee Bucks 3 %, the Golden State Warriors 2 %, the Oklahoma City Thunder (receiving the Clippers’ pick) 1.5 %, the Miami Heat 1 %, and the Charlotte Hornets a scant 0.5 %.
These figures underscore how even a modest chance can prove decisive. Last season, the Dallas Mavericks entered the lottery with only a slim probability of landing the top selection, yet they defied the odds and secured the No. 1 pick – a reminder that the lottery’s inherent randomness can dramatically alter a franchise’s trajectory.
Looking ahead, the NBA calendar marks several important milestones. The Early Entry deadline for underclassmen and international players closes on April 24. Shortly thereafter, the NBA Combine will take place from May 8 through May 10, providing teams with a final opportunity to evaluate prospects in workouts and interviews. The Draft Lottery itself is scheduled for May 10, immediately following the combine, where the ping‑pong balls will determine the exact order of the first 14 picks. Finally, the 2026 NBA Draft will be conducted over two nights, June 23 and June 24, with each session beginning at 7 p.m. Central Time. Teams will use the information gathered from the lottery, combine, and any remaining pre‑draft workouts to shape their selections, hoping to add the foundational talent needed to pursue championship aspirations.