The NBA playoffs are a postseason tournament held annually in the National Basketball Association to determine the league champion. The playoffs typically begin in April and feature the top eight teams from each conference, the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference, competing in a series of best-of-seven elimination rounds. Teams advance through several rounds, including the first round, conference semifinals, and conference finals, culminating in the NBA Finals. The two conference champions face off in the finals to compete for the coveted Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, marking the pinnacle of professional basketball in the United States.