Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

The NBA's playoff push for this season has hit its final day. Here's a look at what's happening

Sport

The NBA's playoff push for this season has hit its final day. Here's a look at what's happening
Sport

Sport

The NBA's playoff push for this season has hit its final day. Here's a look at what's happening

2026-04-12 21:26 Last Updated At:21:30

The final day of the NBA's regular season has arrived, with much left to decide. There are 30 teams, all of which will play Game 82 on Sunday, and all those clubs fall into one of three 10-team groups right now.

— Fans of Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Houston, Minnesota, Phoenix, Golden State, Detroit, Boston, New York and Cleveland, go ahead and relax. Your team's seed is all set.

More Images
Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, center, shoots as he gets caught between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and guard Jaylen Clark during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, center, shoots as he gets caught between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and guard Jaylen Clark during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and teammate Dyson Daniels (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and teammate Dyson Daniels (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) gets his arm stuck with Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) gets his arm stuck with Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Julian "Juju" Reese (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Julian "Juju" Reese (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) dunks ober Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) dunks ober Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Utah Jazz guard John Konchar, right, knocks the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Utah Jazz guard John Konchar, right, knocks the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, top, and guard Bennedict Mathurin, bottom, battle for a loose ball with Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, top, and guard Bennedict Mathurin, bottom, battle for a loose ball with Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (27) celebrates against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March. 30, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (27) celebrates against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March. 30, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gestures to an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gestures to an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) hangs on the rim after dunking over Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and Jevon Carter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) hangs on the rim after dunking over Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and Jevon Carter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) works to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) works to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Dwight Powell, right, celebrate a basket by Flagg in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Dwight Powell, right, celebrate a basket by Flagg in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, left, struggles to field a pass as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, left, struggles to field a pass as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks for a play against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks for a play against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) holds the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Konchar during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) holds the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Konchar during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Toronto Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl (front) is fouled by Orlando Magic centre Goga Bitadze (back left) as Magic forward Paolo Banchero (right) looks on during first half NBA action in Toronto on Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl (front) is fouled by Orlando Magic centre Goga Bitadze (back left) as Magic forward Paolo Banchero (right) looks on during first half NBA action in Toronto on Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives against Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives against Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

— Fans of Denver, the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers, Atlanta, Toronto, Orlando, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Miami, prepare yourselves. Your team still has things to play for.

— Fans of Milwaukee, Chicago, Brooklyn, Indiana, Washington, New Orleans, Memphis, Dallas, Sacramento and Utah, enjoy the season finales.

— A look at the last day of the season

— Wemby hits award-qualification standard. But will Jokic?

— A wild night in the NBA, with lots of players out with injuries

— Heat waive Terry Rozier

— SGA leads the MVP race, but there is intrigue

— 76ers' Joel Embiid has appendectomy

— NBC says more 'On The Bench’ game coverage likely

— Doc Rivers hints at retirement

— The playoffs, thankfully, are coming

— The Bulls want to keep Billy Donovan ... but does Donovan want to stay?

Here's what we know so far regarding the NBA playoff field for this season.

— Eastern Conference No. 1: Detroit.

— East No. 2: Boston.

— East No. 3: New York.

— East No. 4: Cleveland.

— East No. 5 and No. 6: Atlanta will have one of these spots. Toronto is the only other team that can reach the No. 5 seed, but it could also finish No. 6, No. 7 or No. 8 as well. There are some scenarios where Orlando and Philadelphia can sneak into the No. 6 spot. The Magic need a win over Boston, plus wins by Brooklyn (over Toronto) and Milwaukee (over Philadelphia) to reach No. 6. The 76ers need a win, plus an Orlando loss and a Brooklyn win to reach No. 6.

— East play-in: Toronto, Orlando and Philadelphia are the three teams that could finish in the No. 7 and No. 8 spots. Nos. 9 and 10 will be Charlotte and Miami, in some order. A Heat win over Atlanta and a Hornets loss to New York means Miami will be No. 9. Otherwise, Charlotte will be the 9 seed.

— East eliminated teams: Milwaukee, Chicago, Indiana, Brooklyn and Washington.

— Western Conference No. 1: Oklahoma City.

— West No. 2: San Antonio.

— West No. 3 and No. 4: Denver and Los Angeles Lakers. Denver gets No. 3 with a win over San Antonio or a Lakers loss to Utah. If neither of those things happen, the Lakers get the No. 3 seed.

— West No. 5: Houston.

— West No. 6: Minnesota.

— West play-in: Phoenix is No. 7, Portland and the Los Angeles Clippers will be No. 8 and No. 9 in some order (the Trail Blazers control destinies there), and Golden State is No. 10.

— West eliminated teams: Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, Utah and Sacramento.

The games with seeding implications on Sunday:

— Orlando at Boston: Magic can escape play-in with a win, would be in 7-vs.-8 game with a loss.

— Atlanta at Miami: Hawks would be No. 5 seed with a win, Miami could get to No. 9 with a win.

— Charlotte at New York: Hornets would be No. 9 seed and host Miami in play-in with a victory.

— Milwaukee at Philadelphia: 76ers would be No. 8 seed with a loss, will be No. 6, 7 or 8 with win.

— Brooklyn at Toronto: Raptors go to playoffs as No. 5 or 6 seed with win, could fall to 8 with loss.

— Denver at San Antonio: Nuggets would be 3 seed with win, probably would fall to 4 with a loss.

— Utah at LA Lakers: Lakers probably would be 3 seed with win, would fall to 4 with a loss.

— Golden State at LA Clippers: This might be a preview of a Warriors-Clippers play-in 9-10 game.

— Sacramento at Portland: Trail Blazers would hold off Clippers for the No. 8 seed with a win.

And the games with no relevance on standings: Washington at Cleveland, Detroit at Indiana, Chicago at Dallas, Memphis at Houston, New Orleans at Minnesota, Phoenix at Oklahoma City.

Sunday on ESPN: Orlando-Boston (6 p.m. Eastern) and Denver-San Antonio (8:30 p.m.)

Oklahoma City (+130) is favored to win the NBA title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, followed by San Antonio (+450), Boston (+550), Denver (+1000), Cleveland (+1300) and New York (+2000). Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the East, is +2000. The Los Angeles Lakers were +2500 before Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves got hurt; they're +20000 now.

Some of the NBA's play-in tournament schedule is now known:

— Phoenix will play host to either the LA Clippers or Portland on Tuesday at 10 p.m. Eastern. (The winner of that game will play No. 2 San Antonio in Round 1, the loser will play a home game on Friday for the right to play No. 1 Oklahoma City in Round 1).

— Golden State will visit either the LA Clippers or Portland on Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern. (The loser of that game is eliminated, the winner moves on to Friday.)

All games in the play-in tournament will be shown on Prime Video.

— Sunday: All 30 teams play their regular-season finales.

— April 14, 15 and 17: NBA play-in tournament dates.

— April 18 and 19: NBA playoff series openers.

— May 2, 3 or 4: Conference semifinals begin.

— May 10: NBA draft lottery.

— May 10-17: NBA draft combine.

— May 17 or 19: Eastern Conference finals begin on ESPN and ABC.

— May 18 or 20: Western Conference finals begin on NBC and Peacock.

— June 3: Game 1, NBA Finals on ABC. (Other finals dates: June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13, June 16 and June 19).

— At least 150 players (and probably many more) will be held out of the 30 games on Sunday. The combined salaries this season of those who were announced on Saturday's injury reports as out for Sunday's finales: just over $2.5 billion.

— The average margin of victory in the NBA this season is 13.2 points, the biggest in league history (and is certain to finish as a record). The previous mark was 12.7 points, set last season. This is the fourth time in the last five years that the point-differential-in-wins record will fall.

— The NBA remains on pace to see more points this season than ever before. The current pace is about 284,258, which would be reached on Sunday; the record total for a season is 282,137, set in 2022-23.

— There are 18 players with a chance to play in all 82 of their team's regular-season games this season. That would be the most in the 82-game club since 19 players did it in the 2018-19 season.

— Denver has a chance to become the fourth team to finish a regular season with a winning streak of 12 games or better. Philadelphia won its last 16 in 2017-18, Rochester won its final 15 games of the 1949-50 season (then lost a tiebreaker) and Milwaukee won its last 14 games in 1972-73.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, center, shoots as he gets caught between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and guard Jaylen Clark during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner, center, shoots as he gets caught between Minnesota Timberwolves guard Terrence Shannon Jr., left, and guard Jaylen Clark during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and teammate Dyson Daniels (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) dunks in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and teammate Dyson Daniels (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) gets his arm stuck with Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Washington Wizards guard Will Riley (27) gets his arm stuck with Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Julian "Juju" Reese (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Brooklyn Nets forward E.J. Liddell (9) is fouled by Washington Wizards forward Julian "Juju" Reese (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) dunks ober Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) dunks ober Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in Cleveland, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Utah Jazz guard John Konchar, right, knocks the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Utah Jazz guard John Konchar, right, knocks the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, top, and guard Bennedict Mathurin, bottom, battle for a loose ball with Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, top, and guard Bennedict Mathurin, bottom, battle for a loose ball with Sacramento Kings guard Nique Clifford during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, April 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (27) celebrates against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March. 30, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (27) celebrates against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March. 30, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gestures to an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff gestures to an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) hangs on the rim after dunking over Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and Jevon Carter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) hangs on the rim after dunking over Orlando Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and Jevon Carter, left, in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) works to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) works to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tristan da Silva, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Dwight Powell, right, celebrate a basket by Flagg in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) and Dwight Powell, right, celebrate a basket by Flagg in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Friday, April 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, left, struggles to field a pass as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, left, struggles to field a pass as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks for a play against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) looks for a play against Utah Jazz guard John Konchar (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) holds the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Konchar during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) holds the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Konchar during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson, left, is fouled by Philadelphia 76ers center Adem Bona, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dunks against the Atlanta Hawks in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Toronto Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl (front) is fouled by Orlando Magic centre Goga Bitadze (back left) as Magic forward Paolo Banchero (right) looks on during first half NBA action in Toronto on Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors centre Jakob Poeltl (front) is fouled by Orlando Magic centre Goga Bitadze (back left) as Magic forward Paolo Banchero (right) looks on during first half NBA action in Toronto on Sunday, March 29, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives against Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, drives against Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Management and union leaders at Samsung Electronics failed to reach a last-minute deal over wages Wednesday, raising prospects for a strike at the South Korean electronics giant that could rattle global semiconductor supplies and the country’s trade-dependent economy.

Government officials have threatened to invoke rarely used emergency powers to force a settlement at Samsung, where the union, which represents more than 70,000 workers, says the company has failed to offer adequate compensation despite its soaring profits fueled by the global boom in artificial intelligence.

After the latest round of talks ended without a breakthrough on Wednesday, union leader Choi Seung-ho told reporters that unionized workers will begin an 18-day strike from Thursday.

Both the union and the management held each other responsible for a failure to reach a deal. Choi accused management of refusing to accept a government-mediated proposal whose details he refused to disclose. The management accused the union of calling for excessive compensation packages for workers at loss-making units.

The two sides said they will continue efforts to reach a deal. The two sides met again Wednesday afternoon at the arrangement of Labor Minister Kim Younghoon, according to Kim’s ministry.

Samsung and its cross-town rival, SK Hynix, together produce about two-thirds of the world’s memory chips, which are seeing surging demand driven by AI. Samsung said last month its operating profit for the January-March quarter jumped eightfold to a record 57.2 trillion won ($38 billion).

Union leaders have demanded a compensation structure in which Samsung would commit to spend 15% of its annual operating profit on employee bonuses and scrap bonus caps, which are currently set at 50% of annual salaries. The company says the demands are excessive, citing the highly cyclical nature of the semiconductor business.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, the government’s No. 2 official after President Lee Jae Myung, said in a televised statement Sunday that the strike could cause up to 100 trillion won ($66 billion) in economic damage by disrupting Samsung’s highly complex semiconductor manufacturing processes.

The planned strike also has a potential global impact. Given that supply in the global memory semiconductor market is struggling to keep up with demand, the Samsung strike was expected to further drive up prices and push back AI infrastructure investments in other countries, said Lee Jun, an expert at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade.

The strike was expected to hurt operations of Samsung’s production of smartphones and other consumer electronics as well, observers say.

A local court on Monday partially granted the company’s request for an injunction against the planned strike, ruling that the union must maintain certain staffing levels to prevent damage to facilities and materials and ensure safe operations. The Suwon District Court also barred unionists from occupying key facilities and offices.

The logo of the Samsung Electronics Co. is seen at its office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The logo of the Samsung Electronics Co. is seen at its office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The logo of the Samsung Electronics Co. is seen at its office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

The logo of the Samsung Electronics Co. is seen at its office in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Choi Seung-ho, a leader of the Samsung Electronics labor union, leaves after attending the government-led mediation talks with management at the National Labor Relations Commission office in Sejong, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (Yonhap via AP)

Choi Seung-ho, a leader of the Samsung Electronics labor union, leaves after attending the government-led mediation talks with management at the National Labor Relations Commission office in Sejong, South Korea, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (Yonhap via AP)

Recommended Articles