NBA Playoffs 2024- 25: Final Week Frenzy as Teams Fight for Seeding and Survival

As the 2024- 25 NBA regular season winds down after 23 intense weeks, the final stretch is officially here — and the race to the playoffs is more unpredictable than ever.

While eight teams have officially punched their ticket to the postseason, plenty of drama remains. The most compelling storyline is the razor thin margin between teams jostling for playoff seeding. In the Western Conference, just two games separate the No. 3 and No. 8 spots, leaving as many as seven teams vying for that coveted third seed.

That slim margin means this final week of regular season action could drastically change the playoff landscape — from securing homecourt advantage to slipping into the play in tournament, where a season can end in just one game.

Eastern Conference Picture: Seeding Still in Play

Over in the East, every team that will make the postseason has been locked in, but the battle for positioning continues. Each result could reshuffle the deck, determining who gets favorable matchups and who faces a tougher road.

When Does the 2025 NBA PlayIn Tournament Start?

The playin tournament kicks off on April 15 and wraps up by April 18. Here's how the format works:

 The No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference will play. The winner secures the No. 7 playoff spot.
 The No. 9 and No. 10 seeds face off. The loser is eliminated; the winner advances.
 The loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup will then host the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game for the final playoff spot as the No. 8 seed.

When Do the NBA Playoffs Begin?

The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs begins Saturday, April 19, right after the playin concludes.

 Current Playoff Status: Who’s In and What’s at Stake

Eastern Conference Teams and Possible Seeds

 Cleveland Cavaliers: Clinched, can finish No. 1 or 2  
 Boston Celtics: Clinched, can finish No. 1 or 2  
 New York Knicks: Clinched, can finish No. 3 or 4  
 Indiana Pacers: Clinched, can finish No. 3 or 4  
 Milwaukee Bucks: Clinched, can finish No. 4, 5, or 6  
 Detroit Pistons: Clinched, can finish No. 5 or 6  
 Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat: Locked into playin range (No. 7 to 10)

Western Conference Teams and Possible Seeds

 Oklahoma City Thunder: Clinched No. 1 seed  
 Houston Rockets: Clinched, can finish No. 2 or 3  
 Los Angeles Lakers: Can finish anywhere from No. 2 to No. 8  
 Denver Nuggets, Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, Grizzlies: All in contention for No. 3 through No. 8 spots  

 NBA Playoff Bracket (As of April 7 Standings)

Eastern Conference Matchups

 Cavaliers (1) vs. Playin winner (8)  
 Celtics (2) vs. Playin winner (7)  
 Knicks (3) vs. Pistons (6)  
 Pacers (4) vs. Bucks (5)

Western Conference Matchups

 Thunder (1) vs. Playin winner (8)  
 Rockets (2) vs. Playin winner (7)  
 Lakers (3) vs. Warriors (6)  
 Nuggets (4) vs. Clippers (5)

 NBA Standings as of April 7

Eastern Conference

 Cavaliers: 6216 (Clinched Division)  
 Celtics: 5820 (Clinched Division)  
 Knicks: 5028  
 Pacers: 4731  
 Bucks: 4434  
 Pistons: 4335  
 Magic: 3840  
 Hawks: 3741  
 Bulls: 3642  
 Heat: 3543  
 Raptors, Nets, 76ers, Hornets, Wizards: Eliminated

Western Conference

 Thunder: 6414 (Clinched Conference)  
 Rockets: 5227  
 Lakers: 4830  
 Nuggets: 4732  
 Clippers: 4632  
 Warriors: 4632  
 Timberwolves: 4632  
 Grizzlies: 4632  
 Kings: 3840  
 Mavericks: 3841  
 Suns: 3543  
 Blazers, Spurs, Pelicans, Jazz: Eliminated