2025 NBA Postseason Update: Who’s Headed to the Big Stage?

With the 2024–25 NBA regular season entering its final stretch, basketball fans worldwide are eager to see which teams will secure coveted spots in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The top six teams in each conference qualify directly, while those finishing seventh through tenth will battle in the play-in tournament (April 15–18). After these high-stakes matchups, two additional teams per conference will round out the final eight-team fields, with the first round tipping off on April 19.

Below is a comprehensive look at the 2025 NBA Postseason picture, featuring updates on teams that have already punched their tickets, those that are eyeing a playoff berth, and notable clubs that have been eliminated.

Eastern Conference Standouts

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Status: Clinched a playoff spot; won Central Division
• About the Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers have once again risen to the top of the East, securing the No. 1 seed for the first time since their championship run in 2016. This season, they recorded two remarkable streaks of 15-plus wins, placing them among the fastest teams to 50 wins in NBA history. Led by a dynamic core, the Cavs are poised to build on last season’s conference semifinals appearance.

Boston Celtics

• Status: Clinched a playoff spot
• About the Team: The defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, look to extend their historic legacy with a potential 19th title. Although they currently sit behind the Cavaliers, the Celtics are no strangers to deep playoff runs, having reached the conference finals in four of the past five seasons.

New York Knicks

• Status: Clinched at least a play-in spot
• About the Team: The New York Knicks have made back-to-back trips to the conference semifinals. Powered by emerging talent and strong coaching, they aim to break through the second-round barrier for the first time this millennium.

Milwaukee Bucks

• Status: Clinched at least a play-in spot
• About the Team: After disappointing first-round exits in the past two seasons, the Milwaukee Bucks are determined to return to championship contention. Their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his high-profile teammate Damian Lillard are both focused on staying healthy for a title push.

Indiana Pacers

• Status: Clinched at least a play-in spot
• About the Team: Building on last season’s run to the Eastern Conference finals, the Indiana Pacers are fighting to lock down a top-six seed. With a favorable schedule, their playoff aspirations are well within reach.

Detroit Pistons

• Status: Clinched at least a play-in spot
• About the Team: A year removed from a franchise-worst record of 14–68, the Detroit Pistons have engineered a surprising turnaround. Although they were swept in their last postseason appearance in 2019, this revitalized roster is ready to change the narrative.

Western Conference Leaders

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Status: Clinched No. 1 seed in the West; won Northwest Division
• About the Team: The Oklahoma City Thunder have repeated as the Western Conference’s top seed, showcasing a dominant 24–1 record against Eastern Conference opponents. Last season, they bowed out in the conference semifinals to a Dallas squad that went on to the NBA Finals. This time, they’re determined to take the next step.

Current Eliminations

• East: TBD
• West: The Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans

As the final standings take shape, excitement continues to build. Keep an eye out for dramatic finishes in both conferences, as squads battle for every advantage heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Key Takeaways & Tips

1. Playoff Format
   • Top six seeds earn immediate playoff berths.
   • Seeds 7–10 enter the play-in tourney to determine the last two playoff spots per conference.
2. Critical Dates
   • Play-In Tournament: April 15–18
   • Playoffs Begin: April 19
3. Teams to Watch
   • Surging favorites like Cleveland and Boston look to dominate.
   • Dark-horse contenders, including the Knicks, Bucks, and Pacers, eye a strong finish.