With the NBA regular season winding down, the playoff picture for 2025 is becoming clearer. Teams and fans are closely watching the standings as the race to the playoffs intensifies. We are providing daily updates on the standings as we approach the end of the regular season on April 13.
In the Western Conference, the Thunder have secured the top seed and home-court advantage for at least the first three playoff rounds, surpassing 60 wins this season. In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are leading the Celtics by five games for the top seed. The Knicks have also clinched a playoff berth in the East after the Hawks lost on Friday.
While the Thunder`s position is set, the battle for the second seed in the West is tight, with the Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers, and Grizzlies all vying for it. The competition for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the West is also heating up, with the Warriors, Clippers, and Timberwolves in contention.
In the Eastern Conference, the likely playoff teams are becoming apparent. The 76ers, Raptors, and Nets seem more focused on the draft lottery than the play-in tournament. The Hawks, Magic, Bulls, and Heat are expected to be the play-in teams in the East for 2025. In the West, the Suns are aiming for the last postseason spot and need to overtake the Mavericks or Kings to reach the playoffs.
Who Has Clinched a Playoff Spot?
- Thunder: No. 1 seed in the West
- Cavaliers: Playoff spot in the East
- Celtics: Playoff spot in the East
- Knicks: Playoff spot in the East
NBA Playoff Picture
Playoff probabilities are based on SportsLine simulations.
Eastern Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland – x | 59 | 14 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Boston – x | 54 | 19 | 5.0 | 100% |
| 3 | New York – x | 45 | 27 | 13.5 | 100% |
| 4 | Indiana | 43 | 30 | 16.0 | 99.8% |
| 5 | Detroit | 41 | 32 | 18.0 | 90.5% |
| 6 | Milwaukee | 40 | 32 | 18.5 | 92.0% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | Atlanta | 35 | 38 | 24.0 | 86.4% |
| 8 | Orlando | 35 | 39 | 24.5 | 69.4% |
| 9 | Chicago | 33 | 40 | 26.0 | 31.7% |
| 10 | Miami | 32 | 41 | 27.0 | 30.2% |
Western Conference Standings
| Rank | Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City – x | 61 | 12 | — | 100% |
| 2 | Houston | 48 | 26 | 13.5 | 100% |
| 3 | Denver | 46 | 28 | 15.5 | 100% |
| 4 | L.A. Lakers | 44 | 29 | 17.0 | 97.2% |
| 5 | Memphis | 44 | 29 | 17.0 | 96.6% |
| 6 | L.A. Clippers | 41 | 31 | 19.5 | 85.1% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 7 | Golden St. | 41 | 31 | 19.5 | 84.7% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 41 | 32 | 20.0 | 84.5% |
| 9 | Sacramento | 36 | 37 | 25.0 | 27.7% |
| 10 | Dallas | 36 | 38 | 25.5 | 18.6% |
| — | — | — | — | — | |
| 11 | Phoenix | 35 | 38 | 26.0 | 4.5% |
x = clinched playoff spot
Reminder: the top six teams from each conference proceed to the playoffs. The Play-In Tournament will decide the final four spots, involving teams ranked 7-10 in each conference. The 7th seed game is hosted by the seventh-ranked team against the eighth-ranked team. The loser of that game will compete against the winner of the game between the ninth and tenth-ranked teams for the 8th seed.
The Eastern Conference`s top six is mostly set as the regular season nears its end. In the Western Conference, the Timberwolves and Clippers are aiming to overtake the Warriors and Rockets.
Key Dates for 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
