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With just more than two weeks remaining in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, we are officially into the stretch run and the league's playoff picture is taking shape. Just about every team and fan is paying attention to the standings at this point, and we're going to be bringing you the most updated picture of where everything stands, every day, from now until the close of play on Sunday, April 13.
The Thunder clinched the West's No. 1 seed and home-court advantage through at least the first three rounds of the playoffs last week as they close in on 60 wins. The Cavaliers, despite their worst skid of the season, maintain a lead over the No. 2 Celtics in the East -- holding steady at five games as of Sunday.
While the Thunder's spot in the West is secure, the race for the No. 2 seed will be worth keeping an eye on for the next few weeks. The Rockets, Nuggets, Lakers and Grizzlies are all fighting for that No. 2 spot and have been bunched up in the standings since early March. The race for No. 6 (the final guaranteed playoff spot) in the West is also kicking into high gear, with the Warriors, Clippers and Timberwolves all eyeing the spot.
In the East, we likely know the 10 teams that are going to make the postseason as the 76ers, Raptors and Nets appear focused on the lottery rather than trying to make the Play-In Tournament. The Hawks, Magic, Bulls and Heat seem destined to be the East's play-in teams in 2025. In the West, the Suns are trying to get the last postseason spot, and they'll need to hold off the Mavericks and Blazers if Kevin Durant and Co. want a chance to make the playoff field.
[NBA Power Rankings: Celtics activate playoff mode, Clippers and Pacers enter top 10, Suns steadily rising Colin Ward-Henninger
NBA Power Rankings: Celtics activate playoff mode, Clippers and Pacers enter top 10, Suns steadily rising](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-celtics-activate-playoff-mode-clippers-and-pacers-enter-top-10-suns-steadily-rising/)
Entering play on Thursday, March 27, here is the 2024-25 NBA playoff picture.
Who's clinched?
The Thunder clinched the No. 1 seed in the West.
The Cavaliers have clinched a playoff spot in the East.
The Celtics have clinched a playoff spot in the East.
NBA playoff picture
Playoff chances are based on SportsLine simulations.
Eastern Conference standings
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Rank Team W L GB Playoff chances
1 Cleveland - x 58 14 -- 100%
2 Boston - x 54 19 4.5 100%
3 New York 45 27 13.0 100%
4 Indiana 42 30 16.0 99.5%
5 Detroit 41 32 17.5 90.6%
6 Milwaukee 40 32 18.0 91.8%
-- -- -- -- -- --
7 Atlanta 35 37 23.0 88.5%
8 Orlando 35 38 23.5 76.0%
9 Chicago 32 40 26.0 27.0%
10 Miami 31 41 27.0 26.6%
Western Conference standings
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Rank Team W L GB Playoff chances
1 Oklahoma City - x 60 12 -- 100%
2 Houston 47 26 13.5 100%
3 Denver 46 28 15.0 100%
4 L.A. Lakers 44 28 16.0 98.2%
5 Memphis 44 28 16.0 96.8%
6 L.A. Clippers 41 31 19.0 85.2%
-- -- -- -- -- --
7 Golden St. 41 31 19.0 85.1%
8 Minnesota 41 32 19.5 83.7%
9 Sacramento 35 37 25.0 27.6%
10 Phoenix 35 38 25.5 6.2%
-- -- -- -- -- --
11 Dallas 35 38 25.5 15.6%
x = clinched playoff spot
As a reminder: the top six teams in each conference automatically get spots in the 16-team playoff field. The final four playoff spots will be determined by the Play-In Tournament, which will feature Nos. 7-10 in each conference. The seventh-place team hosts the eight-place team to earn the No. 7 seed. The loser of that game will face the winner of a game between the ninth- and 10th-place teams for the No. 8 seed.
The East has developed a clear top six with just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, while the Timberwolves and Clippers will hope to track down the Warriors and Rockets in the West.
2025 NBA playoffs: Key dates
April 13: Final day of regular season
April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
April 19: Playoffs begin
May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
June 5: NBA Finals begin