NBA Tiebreakers Explained
When two or more NBA teams finish with the same record, the league works through a fixed list of tiebreakers and stops at the first one that separates them. Head-to-head comes first, and a division title counts only as a tiebreaker, not as a guaranteed seed. This page explains every step in plain English, shows which 2026-27 races are currently tied and how they would be broken today, and lets you compare any two teams.
Current Ties in the 2026-27 Standings
No two teams in the same conference share a record yet. Check back after the next set of games.
Tiebreaker Checker
Pick any two NBA teams. The checker walks the official order using this season’s results and stops at the first step that separates them.
The Official Tiebreaker Order
Two teams tied on record for any seed.
- 1
Head-to-head
Record in games between the tied teams. Each pair meets three or four times a season, so this settles most ties.
Example Celtics 50-32, Knicks 50-32. Celtics won the series 3-1: Celtics rank higher.
- 2
Division winner
If exactly one of the tied teams won its division, it ranks higher. This is the only place a division title matters in NBA seeding.
- 3
Division record
Only for teams in the same division: record in the 16 games against division rivals.
- 4
Conference record
Record in the 52 games against conference opponents.
- 5
Record vs conference playoff-eligible teams
Record against the teams in your own conference that finish in the top ten, including the play-in.
- 6
Record vs other-conference playoff-eligible teams
The same test against the top ten of the other conference.
- 7
Net points
Points scored minus points allowed across the season.
Three or more teams tied on record. Once one team is separated, the remaining teams restart from the two-team list.
- 1
Combined head-to-head
With three or more teams tied, the combined record in games among all of them comes first.
- 2
Division winner
A team that won its division ranks above the others, if only one did.
- 3
Division record
Applies only if all tied teams are in the same division.
- 4
Conference record
Record against conference opponents.
- 5
Record vs conference playoff-eligible teams
Record against the top ten in your conference.
- 6
Record vs other-conference playoff-eligible teams
Record against the top ten of the other conference.
- 7
Net points
Season point differential.
Division Record, Conference Record and Net Points
After head-to-head, these are the steps that decide most NBA ties. Division and conference records are built from every game played so far. Tap a heading to sort.
| # | Team | Record | Div | Conf | Net pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Atlanta HawksATLEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Boston CelticsBOSEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Brooklyn NetsBKNEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Charlotte HornetsCHAEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 5 |  Chicago BullsCHIEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 6 |  Cleveland CavaliersCLEEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 7 |  Dallas MavericksDALWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 8 |  Denver NuggetsDENWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 9 |  Detroit PistonsDETEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 10 |  Golden State WarriorsGSWWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 11 |  Houston RocketsHOUWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 12 |  Indiana PacersINDEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 13 |  Los Angeles ClippersLACWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 14 |  Los Angeles LakersLALWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 15 |  Memphis GrizzliesMEMWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 16 |  Miami HeatMIAEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 17 |  Milwaukee BucksMILEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 18 |  Minnesota TimberwolvesMINWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 19 |  New Orleans PelicansNOPWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 20 |  New York KnicksNYKEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 21 |  Oklahoma City ThunderOKCWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 22 |  Orlando MagicORLEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 23 |  Philadelphia 76ersPHIEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 24 |  Phoenix SunsPHXWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 25 |  Portland Trail BlazersPORWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 26 |  Sacramento KingsSACWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 27 |  San Antonio SpursSASWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 28 |  Toronto RaptorsTOREastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 29 |  Utah JazzUTAWestern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 30 |  Washington WizardsWASEastern Conference |
0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 |
Div = record against the four division rivals. Conf = record against the other 14 conference teams. Net pts = points scored minus points allowed, the final NBA tiebreaker.
Why the Tiebreakers Matter
Seeds 1-6 go straight to the playoffs; seeds 7-10 must survive the play-in. One tiebreaker can be the difference between a week of rest and two elimination games.
The higher seed hosts games 1, 2, 5 and 7. Finishing 4th instead of 5th is worth a home game seven.
Conference rivals meet three or four times, so the season series usually settles it before any other step.
Since 2016 a division winner gets no automatic top-four seed; it ranks ahead only when tied with a non-winner.
Glossary
Head-to-head
The record in games between the tied teams only. With three or more teams it is the combined record in all games among them.
Division winner
A division title is not a top-four seed, but a division winner ranks ahead of a non-winner it is tied with.
Division record
Record against the four teams in the same division. Applies only when the tied teams share a division.
Conference record
Record against the 14 other teams in the same conference (Eastern or Western).
Record vs playoff teams
Record against teams that finish in the top six of the conference, then against playoff teams in the other conference.
Net points
Points scored minus points allowed in all games. The last resort in the NBA order.
Play-in
Seeds 7 to 10 in each conference play a short tournament for the final two playoff spots.
Clinched
Mathematically certain of the outcome no matter what happens in the remaining games.
Eliminated
Mathematically unable to reach the playoffs even by winning every remaining game.
Games back (GB)
How many games a team trails the leader. A half game means the teams have played a different number of games.
🏆 NBA playoff picture → 📊 NBA standings →
Tiebreaker FAQ
What is the first NBA tiebreaker?
Head-to-head record between the tied teams. With three or more teams it is the combined record among all of them.
Does winning the division help in a tie?
Yes, it is the second step: if exactly one of the tied teams won its division, it ranks higher.
What is the play-in tournament?
Seeds 7-10 in each conference play for the last two playoff spots: 7 v 8 for the No. 7 seed, 9 v 10 with the loser eliminated, then the loser of 7 v 8 against the winner of 9 v 10 for the No. 8 seed.
How many games are in an NBA season?
82 per team, 41 at home and 41 away, from October to April.
Can NBA games end in a tie?
No. Overtime periods of five minutes continue until there is a winner.
Are these standings shown with tiebreakers applied?
Our tables apply head-to-head, division and conference records and net points. The checker on this page walks the official order for any two teams.
Updated ยท last result change Sep 11