With the 2024-25 NBA common season wrapping on April 13, the race for the playoff is coming right down to the wire as groups guide their postseason spots.
The highest six groups from every convention will likely be assured playoff spots, whereas group Nos. 7-10 within the standings will enter the play-in event (April 15-18). The winner of the sport between the No. 7 and No. 8 seed will advance to face the No. 2 seed within the playoffs. The winner between the No. 9 and No. 10 seed will then face the loser of the 7-8 for the prospect to then face the No. 1 seed.
– Play-in tournament: Schedule, standings, format
The opposite two playoff collection in every convention will see the No. 3 seed tackle the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed face the No. 5 seed.
The primary spherical of the playoffs begins April 19, with the winners of every best-of-seven collection advancing to the convention semifinals.
Test again as extra groups clinch playoff and play-in spots.
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East: Playoff race | Who’s in?
West: Playoff race | Who’s in?
EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
Within the Jap Convention, the six playoff groups and 4 play-in groups are set. The play-in will happen April 15, 16 and 18.
– Eastern Conference standings
Beneath are the play-in video games. Recreation occasions are to be decided.
Tuesday, April 15
No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Orlando Magic (winner advances to play No. 2 Boston)
Wednesday, April 16
No. 10 Miami Heat at No. 9 Chicago Bulls (winner advances to play loser of the 7-8 sport)
Friday, April 17
Winner 9/10 vs. loser 7/8 (winner advances to play No. 1 Cleveland)
Beneath are the primary spherical collection. Dates and occasions are to be decided.
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. TBD
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. TBD
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Detroit Pistons
No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
Eradicated groups: Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
WHAT HAVE EAST TEAMS CLINCHED?
The next groups will advance to the postseason. The place’s what they’ve clinched:
What they’ve clinched: No. 1 East seed; received Central Division
The Cavs have been the primary group to clinch a playoff spot earlier than securing the No. 1 seed within the Jap Convention on April 8. It was the primary time the franchise earned the highest seed within the East since its title-winning season in 2015-16.
Cleveland’s outstanding season has been highlighted by two separate profitable streaks of at the very least 15 video games, and the group has eclipsed the 60-win mark for the third time in franchise historical past.
The Cavs reached the playoffs final season because the No. 4 seed, needing seven video games to eradicate the Magic within the first spherical. They have been then ousted by the Celtics within the convention semifinals in 5 video games.
What they’ve clinched: No. 2 East seed; received Atlantic Division
The defending NBA Finals champions are searching for their record-extending nineteenth title, though they are going to do it because the No. 2 seed within the East this season.
The Celtics completed as the highest seed within the East final season on their technique to defeating the Mavericks within the NBA Finals. Boston has now made the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons (the league’s longest energetic streak), and it reached at the very least the convention finals in 4 of the previous 5 campaigns.
What they’ve clinched: No. 3 East seed; will face the Detroit Pistons within the first spherical
The Knicks will now make three straight playoff appearances for the primary time since 2010-13 however haven’t reached the convention finals since 2000. The group has superior to the convention semifinals every of the earlier two seasons, with final yr’s exit coming by the hands of the Pacers in seven video games.
What they’ve clinched: No. 4 East seed; will face the Milwaukee Bucks within the first spherical
After making it to the convention finals final season, the Pacers are again within the playoffs and can get residence courtroom benefit for the primary spherical. The final time they completed among the many prime 4 East groups was in 2020. Indiana may even end with essentially the most wins in a season since 2013-14.
What they’ve clinched: No. 5 East seed; will face the Indiana Pacers within the first spherical
The Bucks will look to keep away from one other early exit — two consecutive first-round losses — after guaranteeing a spot within the playoffs. However the group stays a mannequin of postseason consistency with 9 straight appearances (together with the 2022 championship).
With a win over Detroit on April 11, the Bucks clinched the No. 5 seed within the Jap Convention.
What they’ve clinched: No. 6 East seed; will face the New York Knicks within the first spherical
The playoffs are returning to the Motor Metropolis. The Pistons have been 14-68 final season, which is the worst document for a group to make playoffs the next season in NBA historical past. Their final playoff look was in 2019, the place they have been swept by the Bucks within the first spherical.
With a loss towards Milwaukee on April 11, the Pistons clinched the No. 6 seed within the Jap Convention.
What they’ve clinched: No. 7 East seed; received Southeast Division; will face the Atlanta Hawks within the play-in
The Magic made the playoffs final season however face an uphill battle this time round as their path will undergo the play-in event.
Final season’s playoff look (their first since 2020) noticed Orlando exit within the first spherical in seven video games towards the Cavaliers.
What they’ve clinched: No. 8 East seed; will face the Orlando Magic within the play-in
The Hawks are again within the play-in event for the fourth straight season. They did not advance final yr however did attain the playoffs the earlier occasions, dropping within the first spherical on each events.
What they’ve clinched: No. 9 East seed; will face the Miami Warmth within the play-in
The Bulls are locked into the play-in event for the third consecutive season. They received the 9-seed vs. 10-seed matchup after which misplaced the sport for the No. 8 seed in every of the earlier two. Their final playoff look got here in 2022, after they misplaced to the Bucks within the first spherical. That marked the final time Chicago had reached the playoffs since 2017.
What they’ve clinched: No. 10 East seed; will face the Chicago Bulls within the play-in
If the Warmth are going to make it to the playoffs for the fifth straight time, it is going to be by way of the play-in event. They’ve executed so the previous two postseasons, together with reaching the NBA Finals in 2023 as a No. 8 seed.
WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACE
Within the Western Convention, the Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed for the second straight season, with the Rockets locking up the No. 2 spot. The Lakers are additionally playoff certain, fittingly clinching a spot over the Mavericks of their April 9 win over Luka Doncic‘s former group.
However the battle for the opposite three playoff spots will go right down to the wire. 4 groups are separated by 1.5 video games or much less within the standings with the Nuggets, Warriors, Clippers, and Timberwolves all within the hunt.
– Western Conference standings
Groups within the playoffs: Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1 seed), Houston Rockets (No. 2 seed), Los Angeles Lakers
Groups in playoff/play-in competition: Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves
Groups locked into the play-in: Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings
Eradicated groups: New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
WHAT HAVE WEST TEAMS CLINCHED?
The next groups will advance to the postseason. Here is that they’ve clinched:
What they’ve clinched: No. 1 West seed; received Northwest Division
OKC has clinched the No. 1 West seed for the sixth time in franchise historical past (relationship again to the Seattle SuperSonics period) and the primary occasion in consecutive seasons. Much more spectacular is the Thunder’s 29-1 document towards East groups this season — the very best cross-conference document in NBA historical past. With the win on April 9, the Thunder clinched residence courtroom all through the playoffs, together with the NBA Finals.
Final season, they have been eradicated within the West’s convention semifinals by the Mavericks, who finally reached the NBA Finals.
What they’ve clinched: No. 2 West seed; received Southwest Division
Underneath second-year coach Ime Udoka, Houston has clinched a playoff spot for the primary time since 2020. It has been a turnaround season for the Rockets, who’ve secured the No. 2 spot behind the Thunder.
What they’ve clinched: No. 3 West seed; received Pacific Division
LeBron James and Luka Doncic are playoff certain and have secured a top-four spot in a troublesome West. Underneath first-year coach JJ Redick, the group will now be making its third straight playoff look.
Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals final season, and can intention to take action once more together with his new group. Final season, the Lakers reached the primary spherical of the playoffs by way of the play-in event, the place they misplaced to the Nuggets for a second straight postseason.
What they’ve clinched: No less than a play-in spot
Led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets proceed their postseason streak. They’ve made the playoffs prior to now six seasons, together with the 2023 title. Nonetheless, they enter uncharted waters after firing longtime coach Mike Malone as coach with less than a week left in the regular season.
Final season, Denver reached the convention semifinals, the place they have been eradicated by the Timberwolves in a seven-game thriller.
What they’ve clinched: No less than a play-in spot
The Clippers are one other group assured of at the very least the play-in event, however nonetheless have an opportunity at a playoff spot. Final season, the Clips have been eradicated within the first spherical of the playoffs by the Mavs. They’ve made the playoffs 5 out of the earlier six seasons.
What they’ve clinched: No less than a play-in spot
The Warriors are again within the postseason and stay in competition to clinch a playoff spot. Final season, the group did not advance into the playoffs after dropping to the Kings within the play-in event. Golden State hopes that the midseason addition of Jimmy Butler III will permit Stephen Curry & Co. to make an prolonged run this time round.
What they’ve clinched: No less than a play-in spot
The Timberwolves are within the combine for a playoff spot however might need to accept getting by way of by way of the play-in event. In the event that they do, it would mark the fourth straight season of playoff basketball in Minnesota. Final yr, the Timberwolves reached the convention finals (dropping to the Mavericks) for simply the second time in franchise historical past.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot; can not end amongst prime six
After lacking the playoffs final season, the Grizzlies will now must get by way of by way of the play-in event. It has been a tumultuous time in Memphis as the team fired Taylor Jenkins as coach in late March.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot; can not end amongst prime six
The Kings are within the play-in event for the second time in a row, and certain ending because the No. 9 seed as soon as once more. Their final playoff look got here in 2023, after they misplaced within the first spherical to the Warriors in seven video games.
What they’ve clinched: A play-in spot; can not end amongst prime six
The Mavericks land within the play-in this season after ending because the No. 5 seed final season. Dallas received the Western Convention earlier than dropping to the Celtics within the NBA Finals.
