With just two weeks left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the playoff race is heating up. Every team and fan is closely watching the standings as we approach the playoffs. We will provide daily updates on the playoff picture until the end of the regular season on Sunday, April 13.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage for at least the first three playoff rounds, surpassing 60 wins this season. In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers hold a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Boston Celtics. Boston has clinched the Atlantic Division title after their eighth consecutive win on Saturday. The New York Knicks are the third Eastern team to secure a playoff spot, benefiting from a loss by the Atlanta Hawks.
While the Thunder`s top spot in the West is confirmed, the battle for the No. 2 seed is one to watch. The Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Memphis Grizzlies are all in contention for the second seed, closely grouped in the standings since early March. The race for the No. 6 seed, the final guaranteed playoff spot in the West, is also intensifying, with the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves vying for it.
In the Eastern Conference, the likely playoff teams are becoming clear, with the Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and Brooklyn Nets seemingly focused on the draft lottery rather than the Play-In Tournament. The Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat are expected to compete in the East`s play-in tournament in 2025. In the West, the Phoenix Suns are aiming for the last postseason spot, needing to overtake the Dallas Mavericks or Sacramento Kings if they hope to make the playoffs.
Entering Sunday, March 30, here is the current 2024-25 NBA playoff picture.
Who`s clinched?
- The Thunder clinched the No. 1 seed in the West.
- The Cavaliers have clinched a playoff spot in the East.
- The Celtics have clinched the Atlantic Division.
- The Knicks have clinched a playoff spot in the East.
NBA playoff picture
Playoff chances are based on SportsLine simulations.
Eastern Conference standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland – x | 59 | 15 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Boston – x | 55 | 19 | 4.0 | 100% |
| 3 | New York – x | 46 | 27 | 12.5 | 100% |
| 4 | Indiana | 43 | 31 | 16.0 | 98.0% |
| 5 | Detroit | 42 | 32 | 17.0 | 88.6% |
| 6 | Milwaukee | 40 | 33 | 18.5 | 88.5% |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Orlando | 36 | 39 | 23.5 | 60.9% |
| 8 | Atlanta | 35 | 38 | 23.5 | 73.4% |
| 9 | Chicago | 33 | 41 | 26.0 | 3.1% |
| 10 | Miami | 33 | 41 | 26.0 | 60.6% |
Western Conference standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City – x | 61 | 12 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Houston | 48 | 26 | 14.0 | 94.4% |
| 3 | Denver | 47 | 28 | 15.5 | 100% |
| 4 | L.A. Lakers | 45 | 29 | 17.0 | 78.4% |
| 5 | Memphis | 44 | 30 | 18.0 | 99.8% |
| 6 | L.A. Clippers | 42 | 31 | 19.5 | 85.7% |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Golden St. | 42 | 31 | 19.5 | 65.0% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 42 | 32 | 20.0 | 78.9% |
| 9 | Dallas | 37 | 38 | 25.5 | 61.3% |
| 10 | Sacramento | 36 | 38 | 26.0 | 31.5% |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | Phoenix | 35 | 39 | 27.0 | 3.5% |
x = clinched playoff spot
The top six teams in each conference are guaranteed a playoff spot. The final four spots will be decided through the Play-In Tournament for teams ranked 7-10 in each conference. The No. 7 seed is determined by a game between the 7th and 8th ranked teams, while the No. 8 seed is decided by a game between the loser of the 7/8 game and the winner of the 9/10 game.
With the regular season nearing its end, the top six teams in the East are mostly set, while in the West, teams like the Timberwolves and Clippers are trying to catch up to the Warriors and Rockets.
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