Here is how the Toronto Raptors can clinch a playoff spot tonight

Toronto Raptors' Brandon Ingram (3) drives as Miami Heat's Andrew Wiggins (22) defends during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Thursday, April 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The Toronto Raptors can clinch their first playoff spot in four years tonight.

The Raptors need to beat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to guarantee a top six finish in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, which would allow them to bypass the play-in tournament and head directly to a best-of-seven first round series that would start next weekend.

If the Raptors lose to the Knicks, they can still book their spot in the NBA playoffs tonight but would need the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets all to lose.

Should the Raptors be unable to clinch a playoff spot tonight, their fate will come down to the last day of the NBA’s regular season on Sunday when a win against the woeful 20-60 Brooklyn Nets would get them in and set up a first-round series with either the Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Raptors last appeared in the NBA playoffs in 2022 when they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.

The team did appear in the NBA’s play-in tournament in 2023 but did not advance to the playoffs that season.