Only one week remains in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, and the playoff seeds are still largely undecided, especially in the Western Conference. While the Thunder and Rockets have secured their playoff spots in the West, the remaining four positions are highly contested. Five teams—the Nuggets, Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies—are separated by a mere half-game as the final week commences. Basketball enthusiasts are keenly watching the standings, and we will provide daily updates on the evolving playoff landscape until Sunday, April 13.
The Lakers currently hold a narrow lead for the No. 3 seed in the West, with an incredibly tight race behind them. The Nuggets are positioned fourth, and the Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies are all tied with identical 46-32 records as of Monday morning.
The Eastern Conference presents a clearer picture. The Pistons have become the fifth team to secure a playoff berth. The Cavaliers are on the verge of clinching the top seed in the East, and all six automatic playoff spots are filled. Furthermore, four teams—the Magic, Hawks, Bulls, and Heat—have locked in their participation in the East`s Play-In Tournament next week.
As of Monday, April 7, here is the 2024-25 NBA playoff picture.
Who`s Clinched?
- The Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed in the West.
- The Rockets have clinched a playoff spot in the West.
- The Cavaliers, Celtics, Knicks, Pacers, and Pistons have clinched playoff spots in the East.
- The Magic, Hawks, Bulls, and Heat are locked into the East`s Play-In Tournament.
NBA Playoff Picture
If the season ended today…
East first-round matchups
1. Cavaliers vs. 8. Magic/Hawks/Bulls/Heat
2. Celtics vs. 7. Magic/Hawks
3. Knicks vs. 6. Pistons
4. Pacers vs. 5. Bucks
West first-round matchups
1. Thunder vs. 8. Wolves/Grizzlies/Kings/Mavericks
2. Rockets vs. 7. Wolves/Grizzlies
3. Lakers vs. 6. Warriors
4. Nuggets vs. 5. Clippers
NBA Standings
Playoff chances are based on SportsLine simulations.
Eastern Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland – x | 62 | 16 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Boston – x | 58 | 20 | 4.0 | 100% |
| 3 | New York – x | 50 | 28 | 12.0 | 100% |
| 4 | Indiana – x | 47 | 31 | 15.0 | 100% |
| 5 | Milwaukee – x | 44 | 34 | 18.0 | 100% |
| 6 | Detroit – x | 43 | 35 | 19.0 | 100% |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Orlando | 38 | 40 | 24.0 | 81.6% |
| 8 | Atlanta | 37 | 41 | 25.0 | 79.0% |
| 9 | Chicago | 36 | 42 | 26.0 | 27.7% |
| 10 | Miami | 35 | 43 | 27.0 | 29.4% |
Western Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City – x | 64 | 14 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Houston – x | 52 | 27 | 12.5 | 100% |
| 3 | L.A. Lakers | 48 | 30 | 16.0 | 100% |
| 4 | Denver | 47 | 32 | 17.5 | 94.7% |
| 5 | L.A. Clippers | 46 | 32 | 18.0 | 92.3% |
| 6 | Golden St. | 46 | 32 | 18.0 | 90.3% |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Minnesota | 46 | 32 | 18.0 | 94.9% |
| 8 | Memphis | 46 | 32 | 18.0 | 82.9% |
| 9 | Sacramento | 38 | 40 | 26.0 | 26.4% |
| 10 | Dallas | 38 | 41 | 26.5 | 17.9% |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | Phoenix | 35 | 43 | 29.0 | 1.4% |
x = clinched playoff spot
As a reminder: the top six teams in each conference automatically qualify for the 16-team playoff field. The final four playoff spots will be determined through the Play-In Tournament, involving teams ranked 7-10 in each conference. The seventh-place team hosts the eighth-place team to compete for the No. 7 seed. The team that loses this initial game will then face the winner of a match between the ninth- and tenth-place teams for the No. 8 seed.
2025 NBA Playoffs: Key Dates
- April 13: Final day of regular season
- April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
- April 19: Playoffs begin
- May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
- June 5: NBA Finals begin
Jasper Hawthorne