NBA Playoffs and Play-In Tournament 2024-25: teams qualified

The 2024–25 NBA regular season is in the books, and the playoff picture is nearly complete. Twelve teams are locked in – the top six in each conference – while eight others will fight for their lives in the play-in tournament.

As per the NBA format, the six best records from each conference automatically advance to the postseason. Seeds seven through ten face off in the Play-In Tournament, where two more playoff spots per conference are up for grabs.

Twenty teams are still in contention – 10 from the East and 10 from the West. Eliminated from the race are the Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz in the West; and the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards in the East.

Eastern Conference

1. Cleveland Cavaliers – Clinched playoff berth

The Cavaliers were the first team to punch their playoff ticket and locked up the No. 1 seed in the East. They also captured their first Central Division title since 2017–18 and strung together a 15-game winning streak for the second time this season. Last year, Cleveland bowed out in the conference semifinals, losing to Boston in five games.

2. Boston Celtics – Clinched playoff berth

The reigning NBA champions are looking to defend their crown and add a 19th title. They closed the regular season strong and claimed the East’s second seed. The Celtics have now reached the playoffs 10 straight seasons and advanced to the Conference Finals in four of the past five.

3. New York Knicks – Clinched playoff berth

Back in the postseason for the third year in a row, the Knicks are aiming to recapture past glory – their last NBA title came in 1973.

4. Indiana Pacers – Clinched playoff berth

Indiana is chasing another Eastern Conference Final appearance, just as they did last season. They’re hoping to recapture that momentum heading into the playoffs.

5. Milwaukee Bucks – Clinched playoff berth

After back-to-back first-round exits, the Bucks are under pressure to make a deeper run. Giannis Antetokounmpo is determined to lead the way in 2025.

6. Detroit Pistons – Clinched playoff berth

One of the season’s biggest surprises, Detroit has bounced back from a franchise-worst 14–68 record in 2023–24 to secure a playoff spot. The Pistons last reached the play-in in 2019, where they were swept by Milwaukee.

7. Orlando Magic – Play-in bound

Orlando returns to the play-in aiming for redemption after a seven-game first-round loss to Cleveland last year.

8. Atlanta Hawks – Play-in bound

The Hawks are in the play-in for the fourth straight year and hope to advance beyond the opening round for the first time in that stretch.

9. Chicago Bulls – Play-in bound

This marks the Bulls’ third consecutive appearance in the play-in tournament. They haven’t reached the playoffs since 2022, when they lost to Milwaukee in the first round.

10. Miami Heat – Play-in bound

Miami makes its third straight play-in appearance. In 2023, they used it as a springboard to the NBA Finals, entering the playoffs as the eighth seed.

Final Eastern Conference standings:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers | 64-17
2. Boston Celtics | 60-21
3. New York Knicks | 50-31
4. Indiana Pacers | 49-32
5. Milwaukee Bucks | 47-34
6. Detroit Pistons | 44-37
7. Orlando Magic | 41-40
8. Atlanta Hawks | 39-42
9. Chicago Bulls | 38-43
10. Miami Heat | 37-44

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Clinched playoff berth

The Thunder dominated from start to finish, claiming the West’s top seed. Last year, they fell to Dallas in the conference semifinals.

2. Houston Rockets – Clinched playoff berth

In just his second year as head coach, Ime Udoka has led Houston to its first postseason berth since 2020. The Rockets enter as the No. 2 seed, signaling a dramatic turnaround.

3. Los Angeles Lakers – Clinched playoff berth

The pairing of LeBron James and Luka Dončić has reshaped the Lakers’ offense. Dončić arrived after leading Dallas to last season’s Finals and hopes to repeat that run in L.A.

4. Denver Nuggets – Clinched playoff berth

Nikola Jokić, now a three-time MVP, continues to steer the Nuggets, who have now made the playoffs six years in a row. They reached the conference semifinals last season, falling to Minnesota.

5. Los Angeles Clippers – Clinched playoff berth

The Clippers will look to rebound after last year’s first-round playoff exit to the Mavericks.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves – Clinched playoff berth

Minnesota returns to the postseason for a fourth consecutive year. They made the Conference Finals in 2024, where they lost to Dallas.

7. Golden State Warriors – Play-in bound

Golden State is back in the play-in after failing to advance from it last season. The addition of Jimmy Butler III has given their offense a notable boost.

8. Memphis Grizzlies – Play-in bound

Memphis missed the playoffs last season but bounced back to secure a play-in spot – despite a late-season shakeup that included the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins.

9. Sacramento Kings – Play-in bound

The Kings are in the play-in for the second year running. Their last full playoff run was in 2023, when they fell in a tight seven-game series to the Warriors.

10. Dallas Mavericks – Play-in bound

Despite losing Kyrie Irving, trading Luka Dončić, and seeing new star Anthony Davis suffer an injury, Dallas clawed their way into the play-in. Last year, they topped the West and reached the NBA Finals, where they lost to Boston.

Final Western Conference standings:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder | 66-14
2. Houston Rockets | 52-28
3. Los Angeles Lakers | 49-31
4. Denver Nuggets | 48-32
5. Los Angeles Clippers | 48-32
6. Golden State Warriors | 47-33
7. Memphis Grizzlies | 47-33
8. Minnesota Timberwolves | 47-33
9. Sacramento Kings | 39-41
10. Dallas Mavericks | 38-42

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