Hawks Secure Playoff Berth; Eastern Conference Top Four Set
hawks-secure-playoff-berth-eastern-conference-top-four-set
The Atlanta Hawks guaranteed a place in the 2026 NBA postseason on Friday night, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers and becoming the fifth Eastern Conference team to clinch a spot.
Rookie guard Dyson Daniels logged his second career triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, while CJ McCollum poured in a game-high 29 points in just 24 minutes of the 22-point victory. The win lifted Atlanta to 46-35 and wrapped up the Southeast Division crown, marking the franchise’s first season outside the play-in tournament since 2020-21.
Top Four Seeds Locked In
Friday’s results clarified the top of the Eastern Conference:
- Detroit Pistons – No. 1 seed (clinched last Saturday in Philadelphia)
- Boston Celtics – No. 2 seed (secured by routing New Orleans)
- New York Knicks – No. 3 seed (beat Toronto while Cleveland lost)
- Cleveland Cavaliers – No. 4 seed
Race for No. 5 and No. 6
The Hawks can lock up the No. 5 seed by winning Sunday in Miami. The Toronto Raptors (45-36) hold No. 6 and can clinch a guaranteed berth with a Sunday victory over Brooklyn.
There is still a path for the Orlando Magic (45-36) or the Philadelphia 76ers (44-37) to climb to sixth. Orlando must beat Boston and see Toronto lose; Philadelphia needs Orlando and Toronto to fall while it defeats Milwaukee. In either scenario, Atlanta would remain No. 5 because of its division title.
Play-In Picture
The Charlotte Hornets are locked into the play-in after Friday’s loss to Detroit and will meet the Miami Heat in the 9-vs-10 game. Charlotte secures the No. 9 spot with a win Sunday at New York or a Heat loss. Miami can take ninth only by beating Atlanta and having the Hornets fall to the Knicks.
If Atlanta, Toronto, Orlando and Philadelphia all win Sunday, the current standings will hold.
Source: Hoops Rumors
