With the 2024-25 NBA regular season winding down to its final eight days, the playoff landscape is becoming clearer, and the competition for seeding is intensifying. Teams and fans are closely monitoring the standings as the regular season approaches its conclusion on Sunday, April 13.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have already secured the top seed in the Western Conference, guaranteeing home-court advantage for at least the first three playoff rounds. However, the race for other seeds in the West remains tight. The Houston Rockets have clinched a playoff berth and the Southwest Division title. Following them, the Lakers, Nuggets, Warriors, Grizzlies, and Timberwolves are separated by just a few games in the standings.
The Warriors recently narrowed the gap with the Lakers to just one game after a victory. The Memphis Grizzlies also advanced, moving ahead of the Clippers and Timberwolves for the 6th seed in the Western Conference.
The Eastern Conference picture is somewhat more defined. The Cleveland Cavaliers hold a significant five-game lead over the Boston Celtics for the top seed and could clinch it with a win on Friday combined with a Celtics loss. The New York Knicks are likely to secure the 3rd seed in the East, maintaining a three-game lead over the Indiana Pacers.
After a recent win, the Milwaukee Bucks are ahead of the Detroit Pistons based on a head-to-head tiebreaker. Detroit can secure a playoff spot with a win on Friday.
In the Eastern Conference, the ten teams advancing to the postseason are known. The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic are still competing for positioning, while the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are confirmed as play-in tournament teams. In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns are contending for the final postseason spot, but their chances have been impacted by an injury, and the Portland Trail Blazers are close behind.
Who has clinched a playoff spot?
- In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed, and the Houston Rockets have secured a playoff spot.
- In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers have clinched playoff spots.
NBA Playoff Picture
(If the season ended today)
Eastern Conference First Round Matchups
- Cavaliers vs. 8th seed (Magic/Hawks/Heat/Bulls)
- Celtics vs. 7th seed (Magic/Hawks)
- Knicks vs. 6th seed (Bucks)
- Pacers vs. 5th seed (Pistons)
Western Conference First Round Matchups
- Thunder vs. 8th seed (Timberwolves/Clippers/Mavericks/Kings)
- Rockets vs. 7th seed (Timberwolves/Clippers)
- Lakers vs. 6th seed (Grizzlies)
- Nuggets vs. 5th seed (Warriors)
NBA Standings
Playoff probabilities are based on SportsLine simulations.
Eastern Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland – x | 61 | 15 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Boston – x | 56 | 20 | 5.0 | 100% |
| 3 | New York – x | 48 | 28 | 13.0 | 100% |
| 4 | Indiana – x | 45 | 31 | 16.0 | 98.0% |
| 5 | Milwaukee | 42 | 34 | 19.0 | 88.5% |
| 6 | Detroit | 42 | 34 | 19.0 | 88.6% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | Orlando | 38 | 40 | 24.0 | 60.9% |
| 8 | Atlanta | 36 | 40 | 25.0 | 73.4% |
| 9 | Miami | 35 | 42 | 26.5 | 60.6% |
| 10 | Chicago | 34 | 42 | 27.0 | 3.1% |
Western Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City – x | 64 | 12 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Houston – x | 50 | 27 | 14.5 | 100% |
| 3 | Denver | 46 | 29 | 17.5 | 100% |
| 4 | L.A. Lakers | 47 | 30 | 18.0 | 78.4% |
| 5 | Golden St. | 44 | 31 | 19.0 | 65.0% |
| 6 | Memphis | 44 | 32 | 19.5 | 99.8% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | Minnesota | 44 | 32 | 19.5 | 78.9% |
| 8 | L.A. Clippers | 44 | 32 | 20.0 | 85.7% |
| 9 | Dallas | 38 | 39 | 26.5 | 61.3% |
| 10 | Sacramento | 36 | 40 | 28.0 | 24.8% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 11 | Phoenix | 35 | 41 | 29.0 | 3.1% |
x = clinched playoff spot
Reminder: The top six teams from each conference are guaranteed a playoff spot. The remaining four spots will be decided in the Play-In Tournament featuring teams ranked 7-10 in each conference. The 7th-ranked team will host the 8th-ranked team, with the winner securing the 7th seed. The loser will then compete against the winner of the game between the 9th and 10th ranked teams for the 8th seed.
Key Dates for the 2025 NBA Playoffs
- April 13: Regular Season Final Day
- April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
- April 19: Playoffs Begin
- May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
- June 5: NBA Finals Begin
Jasper Hawthorne