With the 2024-25 NBA regular season nearing its end, the playoff picture is becoming clearer as teams clinch their postseason berths.

The top six teams in each conference will automatically qualify for the playoffs, while teams ranked 7th to 10th will participate in the play-in tournament, scheduled from April 15-18. From the play-in, two teams per conference will advance to complete the final playoff bracket. The first round of the playoffs begins on April 19.

In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers are significantly ahead of the reigning champions, Boston Celtics, for the top seed. They are currently the only Eastern Conference teams to have officially secured playoff spots.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder have secured the top seed for the second consecutive season. However, the race for the second seed remains tight, with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Memphis Grizzlies all within close proximity in the standings.

Stay tuned for updates as more teams secure their playoff and play-in positions.

Eastern Conference Clinched Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks*, Milwaukee Bucks*, Indiana Pacers*, Detroit Pistons*
Western Conference Clinched Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder (1)

Eastern Conference Eliminated Teams: Washington Wizards
Western Conference Eliminated Teams: Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans

* Clinched at least a play-in tournament spot, but not yet guaranteed playoffs

JUMP TO: East teams | West teams

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Contents
  1. EASTERN CONFERENCE
  2. Cleveland Cavaliers
  3. Boston Celtics
  4. New York Knicks
  5. Milwaukee Bucks
  6. Indiana Pacers
  7. Detroit Pistons
  8. WESTERN CONFERENCE
  9. Oklahoma City Thunder

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland Cavaliers

What they’ve clinched: Playoff spot secured; Central Division title

The Cavaliers are the first team to secure a playoff spot and are on track to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since their championship season in 2015-16.

Cleveland’s impressive season includes two separate winning streaks of at least 15 games, marking their start as the fifth-best in NBA history.

Last season, the Cavs entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, defeating the Magic in seven games in the first round before being eliminated by the Celtics in five games in the conference semifinals.

Boston Celtics

What they’ve clinched: Playoff spot secured

The reigning NBA Finals champions are aiming for their record-extending 19th title, although they are likely to finish as the No. 2 seed in the East this season.

Last season, the Celtics were the top seed in the East, eventually defeating the Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Boston has now reached the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the league, and has advanced to at least the conference finals in four of the last five seasons.

New York Knicks

What they’ve clinched: Play-in spot secured

The Knicks have reached the conference semifinals in each of the past two seasons, with last year’s exit being against the Pacers in seven games. The Knicks haven’t reached the conference finals since 2000.

Milwaukee Bucks

What they’ve clinched: Play-in spot secured

After securing a postseason spot, the Bucks will aim to avoid another early playoff exit, following two consecutive first-round losses. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will focus on staying healthy to make a deep playoff run.

Indiana Pacers

What they’ve clinched: Play-in spot secured

Having reached the conference finals last season, the Pacers are returning to the postseason. With a relatively easier remaining schedule in the East, they will aim to maintain a top-six seeding to guarantee a playoff spot.

Detroit Pistons

What they’ve clinched: Play-in spot secured

After a 14-68 record last season, the worst in franchise history, the Pistons are heading to the postseason. Their last play-in appearance was in 2019, where they were swept by the Bucks in the first round.

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WESTERN CONFERENCE

Oklahoma City Thunder

What they’ve clinched: No. 1 West seed; Northwest Division title

The Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the sixth time in franchise history (including the Seattle SuperSonics era) and for the first time in consecutive seasons. Their performance against Eastern Conference teams this season is particularly impressive (24-1).

Last season, the Thunder were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals by the Mavericks, who went on to reach the NBA Finals.