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The NBA regular season is almost over, with the playoffs approaching fast, where franchises are trying hard to secure a spot in the postseason. With one game remaining in the 2025-26 NBA regular season, the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Philadelphia 76ers are locked in a tight race for the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, which guarantees a first-round playoff spot and avoids the play-in tournament.
Three NBA teams contend for one automatic playoff spot. Here is how each can clinch
The Raptors are in the strongest position: they can clinch the top-six seed with a victory in their finale or if both the Magic and 76ers lose their respective games on Sunday.
The Orlando Magic can secure the No. 6 spot only with a win combined with a Toronto loss. The Philadelphia 76ers face the longest odds, needing a victory in addition to losses by both Toronto and Orlando to sneak into the guaranteed playoff field.
Multiple other outcomes would push one or more of these teams into the 7-10 play-in bracket, where they would risk elimination in single-elimination games. The high-stakes Sunday slate will determine not only the final automatic qualifier but also potential seeding implications for the broader Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Entering the final day, the race reflects a competitive late-season push, with tiebreakers and head-to-head records among the three clubs adding another layer of complexity to the outcomes.
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