With less than a month left in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the crucial final stretch is here. Every team and fan is closely watching the standings as we approach the playoffs. We will provide daily updates on the playoff picture until Sunday, April 13.
The Thunder officially clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference on Thursday night, securing home-court advantage for at least the first three playoff rounds. In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers hold a significant lead over the No. 2 Celtics despite recent losses.
While the Thunder’s top spot in the West is confirmed, the battle for the No. 2 seed will be interesting to watch over the next three weeks. The Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, and Grizzlies are all competing for the second spot and have been closely ranked since early March.
As of Friday, March 21, here is the 2024-25 NBA playoff picture.
Who’s Clinched?
- The Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed in the West.
- The Cavaliers have clinched a playoff spot in the East.
- The Celtics 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 | 56 | 13 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Boston – x | 50 | 19 | 6.0 | 100% |
| 3 | New York | 43 | 26 | 13.0 | 100% |
| 4 | Indiana | 40 | 29 | 16.0 | 98.8% |
| 5 | Milwaukee | 39 | 30 | 17.0 | 89.4% |
| 6 | Detroit | 39 | 31 | 17.5 | 90.3% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | Atlanta | 33 | 36 | 23.0 | 86.8% |
| 8 | Orlando | 32 | 38 | 24.5 | 70.1% |
| 9 | Chicago | 30 | 40 | 26.5 | 31.6% |
| 10 | Miami | 29 | 40 | 27.0 | 32.0% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 11 | Toronto | 24 | 46 | 32.5 | <1.0% |
| 12 | Philadelphia | 23 | 46 | 33.0 | <1.0% |
| 13 | Brooklyn | 23 | 47 | 33.5 | <1.0% |
Western Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City – x | 57 | 12 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Houston | 45 | 25 | 12.5 | 99.4% |
| 3 | Denver | 44 | 26 | 13.5 | 100% |
| 4 | L.A. Lakers | 43 | 26 | 14.0 | 98.8% |
| 5 | Memphis | 43 | 27 | 14.5 | 96.2% |
| 6 | Golden St. | 41 | 29 | 16.5 | 92.7% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | L.A. Clippers | 39 | 30 | 18.0 | 78.0% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 40 | 31 | 18.0 | 85.8% |
| 9 | Sacramento | 35 | 34 | 22.0 | 31.3% |
| 10 | Phoenix | 33 | 37 | 24.5 | 8.6% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 11 | Dallas | 33 | 37 | 24.5 | 6.1% |
| 12 | Portland | 31 | 39 | 26.5 | 2.3% |
| 13 | San Antonio | 29 | 39 | 27.5 | <1.0% |
x = clinched playoff spot
As a reminder: the top six teams in each conference automatically qualify for the 16-team playoffs. The remaining four playoff spots will be decided through the Play-In Tournament, involving teams ranked 7-10 in each conference. The seventh-placed team will host the eighth-placed team to compete for the No. 7 seed. The loser of that game will then play against the winner of the game between the ninth and tenth-placed teams for the No. 8 seed.
The Eastern Conference has a clearly defined top six as the regular season nears its end. In the Western Conference, the Timberwolves and Clippers will aim to overtake the Warriors and Rockets in the standings.
2025 NBA Playoffs: Key Dates
- 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
