The NBA G League has announced the structure for its 2026 postseason, with the playoffs set to determine the league champion following the regular season schedule. The playoff format will maintain the conference-based alignment used in previous seasons.
The Eastern Conference will feature 15 teams including the Delaware Blue Coats, Maine Celtics, and Westchester Knicks, while the Western Conference comprises 16 teams including the Santa Cruz Warriors, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and Oklahoma City Blue. Mexico City Capitanes continue as the league's only unaffiliated team competing in the Western Conference.
Playoff qualification will be determined by regular season performance, with the top teams from each conference advancing to the postseason bracket. The exact number of playoff teams and specific matchup format will be finalized closer to the 2026 season.
The G League playoffs serve as a crucial development platform for players on the verge of NBA careers. Numerous current NBA players have used strong postseason performances as springboards to secure roster spots with their parent clubs.
Recent playoff formats have featured single-elimination early rounds building to a best-of-three championship series. The 2026 schedule will be announced following the completion of the regular season standings.
All 31 G League teams will compete throughout the 2026 season for positioning in the playoff bracket. The postseason typically begins in late March or early April following the conclusion of the regular season schedule in mid-March.