🏀 NBA Playoffs 2026

NBA Playoffs Squares 2026

The NBA postseason is the best time to run basketball squares. Every game is win-or-go-home intensity, and our free platform handles live scoring and winner detection automatically from the Play-In Tournament through the Finals.

Live NBA Scores
All 16 Playoff Teams
Auto Team Names & Colors
Winners Picked Automatically
100% Free
LAL 104
Q4
98 BOS
Live
MJ
TB
AK
JR
SM
DW
KC
RG
BM
PL
WR
JJ
TK
NF
CB
AM
LH
TR
KS
DJ
MP
RW
JB
NM
CH
AW
LT
KM
BR
EM
JS
DK
PG
RT
MH
CW
SB
TM
KP
JL
RD
WM
NC
DB
LS
GT
HK
VJ
AP
BT
MR
JC
SR
KL
DM
WB
TG
🏀 Buzzer beater!
NBA Playoffs 2026
Play-In April 14, 2026
First Round April 18, 2026
Conf. Semis May 4, 2026
Conf. Finals May 18, 2026
NBA Finals June 4, 2026
🏀 Up to 105 Games Over 2 Months
🏆 Best-of-7 Series Format

Upcoming NBA Games

Pick a game and create your squares grid in seconds.

View All 100 NBA Games →

What Are NBA Playoff Squares?

NBA playoff squares work just like regular basketball squares, but with the heightened drama of the postseason. A 10x10 grid creates 100 squares, each representing a unique combination of score digits. Winners are determined by the last digit of each team's score at the end of each quarter. You do not need to know anything about basketball to play.

The NBA playoffs feature best-of-7 series across four rounds, meaning a single first-round matchup can give you up to 7 separate games to run squares for. That is a lot of opportunities for your group to stay engaged over a two-month stretch.

💡
Why playoff basketball is great for squares

NBA playoff games are higher intensity, closer scores, and more dramatic finishes than the regular season. Every quarter matters, and the scoring stays high enough that all numbers stay in play throughout the game.

Squares for Every Playoff Round

Four rounds of best-of-7 series means weeks of squares games.

🎯

Play-In Tournament

Win-or-go-home games for the 7th through 10th seeds. High intensity from the very start of the postseason.

🏀

First Round

Eight best-of-7 series running simultaneously. Up to 56 games of squares action in the opening round alone.

🔥

Conference Semifinals

The matchups get tougher and the games get tighter. Four series with the best remaining teams.

Conference Finals

The final four teams battle for a spot in the NBA Finals. Two series with maximum intensity.

🏆

NBA Finals

The championship series. Run a squares game for every game and crown a winner each night.

📅

Game 7s

Nothing beats a Game 7. The most dramatic night in basketball deserves its own squares grid.

How NBA Playoff Squares Work

We handle all the details so you can focus on the games.

1

Create Your Game

Pick any NBA playoff matchup. All teams are available with accurate colors and abbreviations.

2

Share the Link

Send one link to your office, watch party, or group chat. Players claim squares by entering their name. Works for remote groups too.

3

Lock & Randomize

Once your grid is full, randomize the numbers with one click. See what makes a good grid for tips.

4

Watch Winners Announced

Live scores update automatically. At the end of each quarter, the winning square is highlighted.

Built for NBA Playoff Basketball

Our platform handles basketball's four-quarter format and overtime scenarios throughout the postseason.

Four Quarter Scoring

Winners determined at Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. Four chances to win every playoff game.

Playoff Overtime Ready

NBA playoff overtime is common with so much on the line. Choose standard or with-overtime format. See our overtime guide for details.

All 16 Playoff Teams

Every team that makes the postseason is available with accurate colors. Play-In teams included.

Live Score Integration

Scores update automatically during every playoff game. No refreshing or manual entry needed.

NBA Playoff Squares FAQ

Do I create a new game for each playoff game?

Yes. Each game in a series needs its own squares grid since the scores reset. Create a new game for each playoff game you want to follow. Some groups run squares for every game in a series, while others just pick the big ones.

What are the best numbers for NBA playoff squares?

NBA scores are more evenly distributed than football, so there are fewer "bad" numbers. Digits 0 and 2 appear slightly more often, but all numbers have a real shot.

How does overtime work in NBA playoff squares?

You choose the format when creating your game. Standard mode uses the final score regardless of overtime. With-overtime mode tracks end of regulation separately, giving you a bonus winner if the game goes to OT. Our overtime guide explains both formats.

Can I run squares for a whole playoff series?

You will need a separate grid per game, but you can keep the same group engaged across an entire series. Create a new game before each tip-off and share it with the same group.

Do I need to know basketball to play?

Not at all. Squares are 100% luck. Numbers are assigned randomly, and winners are determined by the score. Read our guide on squares for non-sports fans to see why everyone enjoys it.

Is this really free?

Yes, completely free. No premium tiers, no limits on games, no hidden fees.

View Full FAQ →

Squares for Other Sports

Run squares for football, hockey, and college basketball too.

Learn More About Squares

Tips, guides, and strategies from our blog.

View All Articles →

Ready for the NBA Playoffs?

Create your playoff squares game in under a minute. Free, easy, and your group will love it.

Create Playoff Squares Game