Bucks break Warriors' record by clinching playoff spot in fewest games

The Milwaukee Bucks set an NBA record Sunday when they clinched a playoff berth in the fewest number of games since the league's adoption of a 16-team postseason format in 1984.

Milwaukee secured its spot in a record-setting 56 games, which bested the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors, who accomplished the feat in 57 contests.

Feb. 23 now marks the earliest date a team has clinched a playoff spot under the 16-team format. Golden State secured its place in the 2017 postseason on Feb. 25.

The Washington Wizards' loss to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday clinched Milwaukee's spot in the postseason, according to ESPN.

The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics both clinched playoff positions on Feb. 13 when the NBA still utilized an eight-team format, according to the Journal Sentinel's JR Radcliffe.

Milwaukee enters Tuesday's game against the sizzling Toronto Raptors with a 48-8 record.