The thrill of the NBA playoffs is almost here.
On April 15, the league’s Play-In Tournament will begin, followed by the first round’s start just four days later. But there’s still plenty to be decided in the NBA’s playoff bracket in the final days of the regular season.
In the Western Conference, a significant collection of teams are fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament. The Eastern Conference’s top-six playoff squads are set, but seeding isn’t yet finalized.
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As the 2024-25 NBA season comes to a close, The Sporting News has you covered with updates on the standings, playoff race, and clinching scenarios below.
MORE: Key dates, schedule and more for the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference playoff picture
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cavaliers* | 63-17 | — |
| 2. | Celtics* | 59-21 | 4.0 |
| 3. | Knicks* | 50-30 | 13.0 |
| 4. | Pacers* | 49-31 | 14.0 |
| 5. | Bucks* | 46-34 | 17.0 |
| 6. | Pistons* | 44-36 | 19.0 |
| 7. | Magic** | 40-40 | 23.0 |
| 8. | Hawks** | 38-42 | 25.0 |
| 9. | Bulls** | 37-43 | 26.0 |
| 10. | Heat** | 36-44 | 27.0 |
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Raptors, Nets, 76ers, Hornets, Wizards
MORE: Everything to know about NBA tiebreaking scenarios
Western Conference playoff picture
| Seed | Team | Record | Games Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Thunder* | 66-14 | — |
| 2. | Rockets* | 57-25 | 14.0 |
| 3. | Lakers* | 49-31 | 17.0 |
| 4. | Nuggets | 48-32 | 18.0 |
| 5. | Clippers | 48-32 | 18.0 |
| 6. | Warriors | 47-33 | 19.0 |
| 7. | Grizzlies | 47-33 | 19.0 |
| 8. | Timberwolves | 47-33 | 19.0 |
| 9. | Kings** | 39-41 | 27.0 |
| 10. | Mavericks** | 38-42 | 28.0 |
| — | |||
| — | |||
*clinched NBA Playoff berth
**clinched Play-In Tournament berth
Eliminated from NBA Playoff contention: Suns, Trail Blazers, Spurs, Pelicans, Jazz
2025 NBA Playoffs matchups
Eastern Conference Playoffs
- (1) Cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks
- (3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons
- (2) Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament
- (7) Magic vs. (8) Hawks
- (9) Bulls vs. (10) Heat
Western Conference Playoffs
- (1) Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers
- (3) Lakers vs. (6) Warriors
- (2) Rockets vs. (7) Play-In Winner
Western Conference Play-In Tournament
- (7) Grizzlies vs. (8) Timberwolves
- (9) Kings vs. (10) Mavericks
