The Memphis Grizzlies are looking to make it into the NBA playoffs for the first time in two seasons. As the regular season winds down, there are just a handful of games left for them to do so.
Although Memphis is currently sitting at eighth overall in the Western Conference, it looks like the Grizzlies have a shot at one of the play-in tournament spots. The one-game series format pits teams on the outside looking in with a chance to earn a bid as one of the final eight seeds.
Let’s take a look at the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes heading into the end of the regular season.
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Grizzlies playoff scenarios
Memphis has a 46-32 overall record, along with the Clippers, Warriors and Timberwolves. But due to tiebreaker and head-to-head scenarios, the Grizzlies are currently sitting at No. 8 overall in the Western Conference standings.
If the season ended after Sunday’s game, the Grizzlies would face the No. 7 Timberwolves in the play-in tournament. But with just four games remaining vs. the Hornets, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Mavs, at the very least, Memphis has clinched a spot in the play-in tournament.
Per ESPN Analytics, Memphis has an 89 percent chance of making the playoffs but just a 41 percent chance of making it as a top seed. Even with two losses this week, the Grizzlies would still be second in a three-way tie with the Nuggets and Timberwolves.
The best chance for Memphis to avoid getting either the Timberwolves or Kings in the play-in, is to win two of their next three games against the Hornets, Timberwolves and Mavs.
The West is nuts. Five teams tied in the loss column.
Grizz need to avoid 3-way tie if possible:
0-3 vs. LAC
2-0 vs. MIN
1-3 vs. GSW
1-1 vs. DENMEM’s 4-7 is the worst combined record against all teams tied. Only team they are likely to pass in crazy 4-plus-way tie scenario is…
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) April 7, 2025
Grizzlies standings 2025
Here’s a look at the current Western conference standings as of Monday, April 7, where Memphis sits in eighth place.
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
| 1 | Thunder** | 64-14 | — |
| 2 | Rockets* | 52-27 | 12.5 |
| 3 | Lakers | 48-30 | 16 |
| 4 | Nuggets | 47-32 | 17.5 |
| 5 | Clippers | 46-32 | 18 |
| 6 | Warriors | 46-32 | 18 |
| 7 | Timberwolves | 46-32 | 18 |
| 8 | Grizzlies | 46-32 | 18 |
| 9 | Kings | 38-40 | 26 |
| 10 | Mavericks | 38-41 | 26.5 |
| 11 | Suns | 35-43 | 29 |
**clinched conference
*clinched division
Grizzlies remaining schedule
Here’s a look at the four remaining games. As you can see, Memphis plays three of the four teams it’s currently tied with.
- Tue, April 8 at Hornets
- Thu, April 10 vs. Timberwolves
- Fri, April 11 at Nuggets
- Sun, April 13 vs. Mavs
Grizzlies potential playoff opponents
Depending on how Memphis finishes, a play-in finish seems quite likely. As the No. 8 seed, the Grizzlies could face the No. 7 Timberwolves or potentially either the Mavs or Kings in the No. 9 vs. 10 play-in game.
If Memphis wins the play-in game, the Grizzlies will face the No. 1 seeded Thunder as a No. 8 seed or if Memphis finishes as the No.7 seed, it would play the No. 2 Houston Rockets.
