The Portland Trail Blazers have qualified for the NBA Play-In Tournament for the first time since the 2020-21 season. They secured the 10th seed in the Western Conference, setting up a single-elimination road game against the 9th-seeded Phoenix Suns.
The matchup, scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, will determine which team advances to face the loser of the game between the 7th and 8th seeds for the final playoff spot in the conference. The Suns won the regular-season series against the Trail Blazers 3-1.
Portland's qualification marks a significant step for a team that missed the postseason in the previous four years. Team officials and players have emphasized the importance of the Play-In opportunity to gain postseason experience for a young roster.
