NBA

2025 NBA Playoff Picture: Complete Breakdown of Who’s In and Who’s Out

April 14, 2025

As the 2024-25 NBA regular season comes to a dramatic finish, the race for playoff positioning is finally settling. Here’s a full breakdown of who has clinched playoff spots, who is locked into the play-in tournament, and which teams have been eliminated.

NBA Playoffs and Play-In Tournament Format

  • Top six seeds in each conference clinch direct playoff berths.

  • Teams ranked 7th through 10th enter the Play-In Tournament (April 15–18).

  • The first round of the NBA Playoffs tips off on April 19.


Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Clinched 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 Tournament 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 Storylines:

  • Cleveland Cavaliers make history by clinching their first No. 1 seed since 2016, highlighted by two separate 15-game winning streaks.

  • The Boston Celtics secure the No. 2 seed, marking their 11th straight playoff appearance as they aim to defend their title.


Western Conference Playoff Race

Clinched Playoff Teams:

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

  • Houston Rockets (Southwest Division champions)

  • Los Angeles Lakers

Teams Still Fighting for Seeding:

  • Denver Nuggets

  • LA Clippers

  • Golden State Warriors

  • Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Memphis Grizzlies

Locked Into Play-In Tournament:

  • Dallas Mavericks

  • Sacramento Kings

Eliminated Teams:

  • New Orleans Pelicans

  • Phoenix Suns

  • Portland Trail Blazers

  • San Antonio Spurs

  • Utah Jazz

Key Storylines:

  • Oklahoma City Thunder dominate the West with a 28-1 home record, locking home-court advantage through the NBA Finals.

  • Houston Rockets return to the playoffs for the first time in five years under head coach Ime Udoka.

  • Los Angeles Lakers clinch a playoff berth behind the star power of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, in JJ Redick’s impressive first season as head coach.


Key Dates for NBA Playoffs

  • Play-In Tournament: April 15–18

  • NBA Playoffs Round 1: Starts April 19

Stay tuned for live updates, clinch scenarios, and final seedings as the playoff drama continues to unfold.

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