As the 2025 NBA regular season draws to a close, the playoff picture is becoming increasingly clear, with teams jockeying for position and fans eagerly anticipating the postseason matchups. Here’s a breakdown of the latest standings, clinching scenarios, and how the bracket is shaping up.
Eastern Conference: A Battle at the Top
The Boston Celtics have officially clinched the No. 1 seed in the East, finishing the regular season strong behind MVP candidate Jayson Tatum and a dominant defense. Close behind, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat are locked into a tight race for the second and third seeds, with playoff implications riding on their final games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers have also secured playoff berths, but their seeding could still shuffle depending on the final stretch. Meanwhile, the play-in tournament will feature a fierce fight between the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Toronto Raptors.
Western Conference: Chaos and Contenders
Out West, the Denver Nuggets have maintained their grip on the top seed, led by Nikola Jokić’s continued excellence. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns round out the top four, each clinching a guaranteed playoff spot.
The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks are locked into the mix as well, with the play-in spots still in flux. The Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Pelicans are scrapping for the final positions, setting up a dramatic conclusion to the regular season.
Current Bracket (If the Playoffs Started Today)
Eastern Conference:
(1) Celtics vs. Play-In Winner (2) Bucks vs. (7) 76ers (3) Heat vs. (6) Knicks (4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors
Western Conference:
(1) Nuggets vs. Play-In Winner (2) Thunder vs. (7) Warriors (3) Clippers vs. (6) Timberwolves (4) Suns vs. (5) Mavericks Play-In Tournament Outlook
The NBA Play-In Tournament adds extra drama once again, with teams ranked 7-10 in each conference battling for the final playoff spots. The intensity is at an all-time high, and a few underdog teams have a real shot to make some noise.
What’s Next?
With only a handful of regular season games left, every possession counts. Clinching scenarios will continue to shift as results come in, and seeding changes are almost guaranteed. The official playoff bracket will be finalized shortly after the regular season ends.
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