Which teams are in the 2024 NBA Playoffs?
Despite a valiant effort, the Houston Rockets were unable to book their ticket to the postseason, and with that, the field is set for the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Were it not for a truly inspiring performance by Kyrie Irving, we’d likely have something different to say about the playoff picture, but in the end the Mavericks’ point guard put on a show to bring his team from behind to get the all-important win.
Rockets elimination completes 2024 NBA Playoffs bracket
At one point during Sunday night’s contest between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, it looked as though the former was going to pull off the unthinkable. Having fallen to a 27-35 record, few would have given the Rockets any chance of making the playoffs. Yet, following an 11-game winning streak they came into Sunday’s game on the verge of doing just that. The odds were slim of course, but still very much possible. Indeed, the Rockets looked set to stay in the hunt for the 10th seed as they even enjoyed a 22-point lead at one point.
Sadly, Kyrie Irving didn’t read the script. On the back of a 48-point performance, Irving led the Mavericks back into the game, and with seconds on the clock and a Jabari Smith Jr. miss from the free throw line, the Mavs had a chance to tie the game. Up stepped Dante Exum with a 3-pointer at the buzzer and off we went to overtime tied at 129. From there, it didn’t take long in OT to see that the Mavericks, seeded No. 5 coming into the game, were going to put the affair to bed.
Outscoring the Rockets 18-7 in the extra period, they put an end to the playoff ambitions of their ‘noisy neighbors’ and that was that. What that means, is that the playoff picture is now set for 2024. Of course, seeding still has to be figured out but we can say for certain that we know which 10 teams will represent each conference. In the West, we will have the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors.
Over in the East, it will be the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks. As you likely know, two teams from each group will be eliminated in the Play-In Tournament which in turn will give us the final 16 teams for the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.