April 13, 2025 | NBA Regular Season Wrap-Up

The 2024-25 NBA regular season has officially concluded, and the playoff race is set. With postseason positions finalized and the play-in tournament on deck, here’s a full breakdown of the playoff landscape in both conferences.

Playoff and Play-In Format

• Top six teams in each conference secure automatic playoff berths.

• Teams ranked 7-10 enter the play-in tournament (April 15–18).

In the play-in:

• No. 7 faces No. 8 for the No. 7 seed and a matchup with the No. 2 seed.

• The loser plays the winner of No. 9 vs. No. 10 to claim the No. 8 seed and face the No. 1 team.

The NBA Playoffs officially begin on April 19, featuring best-of-seven series in the first round.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

The playoff teams and play-in participants are locked in, with final seedings determined.

Playoff Teams:

• Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1 seed, Central Division champions)

• Boston Celtics (No. 2 seed, Atlantic Division champions)

• New York Knicks

• Indiana Pacers

• Milwaukee Bucks

• Detroit Pistons

Play-In Teams:

• Orlando Magic (No. 7 seed, Southeast Division champions)

• Atlanta Hawks

• Miami Heat

• Chicago Bulls

Eliminated Teams:

• Brooklyn Nets

• Charlotte Hornets

• Philadelphia 76ers

• Toronto Raptors

• Washington Wizards

Key Eastern Conference Notes:

• Cleveland Cavaliers locked the East’s top seed for the first time since their 2016 title run, highlighted by two 15-game win streaks and surpassing 60 wins.

• Boston Celtics, defending NBA champions, enter the postseason with 11 consecutive playoff appearances.

• New York Knicks secured a third straight postseason berth but seek their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000.

• Indiana Pacers aim to build off last season’s Eastern Conference Finals showing.

• Milwaukee Bucks mark their ninth consecutive playoff appearance.

• Detroit Pistons complete the biggest turnaround in NBA history, rising from a 14-68 season to a playoff berth.

Western Conference Playoff Race

Several heavyweights have secured their playoff spots, while others battled until the final day.

Playoff Teams:

• Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1 seed, Northwest Division champions)

• Houston Rockets (Southwest Division champions)

• Los Angeles Lakers

Teams Fighting for Seeds:

• Denver Nuggets

• Golden State Warriors

• LA Clippers

• Minnesota Timberwolves

• Memphis Grizzlies

Locked Play-In Teams:

• Dallas Mavericks

• Sacramento Kings

Eliminated Teams:

• New Orleans Pelicans

• Phoenix Suns

• Portland Trail Blazers

• San Antonio Spurs

• Utah Jazz

Key Western Conference Notes:

• Oklahoma City Thunder clinched the West’s No. 1 seed for the second consecutive season and posted a historic 28-1 record against Eastern Conference opponents.

• Houston Rockets completed a remarkable turnaround under head coach Ime Udoka, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

• Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and Luka Doncic, clinched a playoff spot and remain contenders for a top-four seed.

Key Upcoming Dates

• Play-In Tournament: April 15–18

• First Round of Playoffs: Begins April 19

Final seedings, play-in matchups, and playoff series schedules will be continuously updated as postseason action begins.