The NBA also announced several other tiebreakers for the first round: Utah over Sacramento, New Orleans over Dallas, Phoenix over Orlando and Philadelphia, Houston over Cleveland, and New York over Los Angeles (Kings). For the second round, the order will reverse for those teams that won their first-round tiebreakers.
Teams that win tiebreakers in the first round will also see inverse order in the second round, with the Hawks pegged at No. 49 and the Raptors at No. 50, though Denver Nuggets currently control that Hawks pick. This reshuffles the late first- and early second-round landscape alongside the top-20 results.
Toronto’s recent track record with first-round picks has been solid, highlighted by a trajectory that has produced several impactful players and core contributors. Scottie Barnes, selected No. 4 in 2021, has emerged as a franchise cornerstone and two-time All-Star, underscoring the Raptors’ ability to draft players who become long-term building blocks.
In the current playoff picture, the Raptors faced a tough test against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round, dropping Game 1 by 126-113 and entering as underdogs to advance. While the matchup is daunting, the team has shown resilience and depth that could shape the remainder of the series.
Overall, the tiebreaker outcomes shape the draft-night backdrop as teams prepare for the 2026 NBA Draft, with the Raptors positioned to add to their young core at No. 19 and the Spurs set to add at No. 20 through a prior Hawks trade. The results also set the stage for late-round implications and potential future asset negotiations ahead of summer mobility.
