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NBA Season Closes: Playoff Brackets Locked, Major HC Fired!

NBA Season Closes: Playoff Brackets Locked, Major HC Fired!

James Colin
James Colin
Published: Apr 13, 2026

Follow along with all the final night of regular season action as final standings are established ahead of the NBA Playoffs.

The final horn has sounded on a truly unforgettable NBA regular season, leaving a wake of playoff dreams realized, heartbreaks, and even a shock coaching dismissal. As the dust settles, the stage is now set for a thrilling Play-In Tournament and the highly anticipated NBA Playoffs.

  • Eastern Conference Play-In and Playoff seeds are locked in, with the Detroit Pistons claiming the top spot.
  • The Milwaukee Bucks part ways with Head Coach Doc Rivers after a disappointing season.
  • Rising star Cooper Flagg exits his rookie finale with a concerning injury.
  • Unsung heroes and veteran ironmen shine as teams battle for crucial seeding.

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture: The Dust Settles

What a dramatic finish in the East! The Detroit Pistons solidified their position as the conference's best, showcasing a high-octane offense throughout the season. Their incredible 81-point first half against the Pacers was a testament to their scoring prowess, fueled by Cade Cunningham's playmaking and Tobias Harris's sharpshooting.

Magic Stumble, 76ers Secure Edge

The Boston Celtics, despite resting their entire starting lineup, displayed remarkable depth and coaching acumen by defeating the Orlando Magic 113-108. This crucial loss dropped the Magic to the 8th seed, setting up a challenging Play-In Tournament matchup on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers. Philadelphia secured their 45th win by handling the Milwaukee Bucks, making them a formidable opponent.

Boston's reserves, including career-high performances from Ron Harper Jr. (27 points) and Baylor Scheirman (30 points), proved that the Celtics bench is no joke. A clutch Luka Garza triple sealed the deal for Boston, further highlighting their depth.

Hornets Sting Knicks, Secure Home Court

Elsewhere, the Charlotte Hornets delivered a critical 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks, securing the 9th seed and home-court advantage in their initial Play-In game. The dynamic duo of LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel put on a shooting clinic, combining for eight made triples and joining elite company: they are now just the third pair of teammates, alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, to each make 270 threes in a season.

Coaching Carousel & Rising Stars

The final day wasn't just about on-court action; a major coaching change rocked the Eastern Conference.

Doc Rivers Out in Milwaukee

In a surprising, yet perhaps inevitable, move, Doc Rivers is out as Head Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. After a disappointing 30-52 season that saw the Bucks miss the postseason entirely, following two consecutive first-round exits under Rivers, the franchise will look for a new direction. This marks a swift end to Rivers' tenure, which began in January 2024.

Flagg's Rookie Campaign Ends on Sour Note

In less fortunate news, promising rookie Cooper Flagg exited his final game with a noticeable limp, ruled out for the remainder of the contest. This deflating end comes after a sensational rookie campaign for the young star, which notably included the league's first 50-point performance by a teenager.

Record Breakers and Iron Men

The season finale also saw several players achieve personal milestones. AJ Green etched his name into Milwaukee Bucks history, setting a new single-season record for made three-pointers, eclipsing 230 and sinking five more in the first half of their game against Philadelphia.

Iron man streaks continued as Mikal Bridges played his 638th consecutive game for the Knicks, maintaining the NBA's longest active streak. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane was honored by the Orlando Magic for suiting up in all 82 games this season, a feat only three other players achieved, and a first for an Orlando player since Dwight Howard in 2009-10. Even Franz Wagner made his return for the Magic, providing a crucial boost after a high-ankle sprain.

Western Conference Race Heats Up

The Western Conference playoff picture remained intense until the final buzzer. A critical matchup between the Clippers and Warriors served as a potential preview for the Play-In Tournament, with both teams vying for the final postseason spots. A loss by the Portland Trail Blazers could allow the Clippers to move out of an elimination game spot.

Sunday's Final Scores:

  • Celtics 113, Magic 108
  • Cavaliers 130, Wizards 117
  • Pistons 133, Pacers 121
  • Heat 143, Hawks 117
  • Hornets 110, Knicks 96
  • 76ers 126, Bucks 106
  • Nets 136, Raptors 101

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