2025 NBA Playoff Picture: Current East and West Scenarios

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are finally here. After months of regular-season battles and a dramatic Play-In Tournament, the playoff bracket is complete. We now have 16 teams ready to chase the championship.

In this post, we’ll walk through the full playoff picture. You’ll see who made it, how they got there, and what each first-round matchup looks like.

NBA Playoff Picture 2025

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture (Updated)

The East has been strong all year. The top teams locked in early, while others had to fight through the Play-In.

Top 6 Seeds

These six teams earned a direct spot in the playoffs:

SeedTeamRecord
1Cleveland Cavaliers64–18
2Boston Celtics61–21
3New York Knicks51–31
4Indiana Pacers50–32
5Milwaukee Bucks48–34
6Detroit Pistons44–38

Play-In Winners

The last two playoff spots came from the Play-In Tournament:

  • Orlando Magic beat the Hawks 120–95 to earn the No. 7 seed
  • Miami Heat won two big games to become the first 10th seed in playoff history

First-Round Matchups

MatchupNotes
(1) Cavaliers vs. (8) HeatHeat come in hot, Cavs had a dominant season
(2) Celtics vs. (7) MagicCeltics are favorites, but Magic can surprise
(3) Knicks vs. (6) PistonsA throwback rivalry, tough series ahead
(4) Pacers vs. (5) BucksTwo close teams, could go the distance

Each series is best-of-seven. First to four wins moves on.

Western Conference Playoff Picture (Updated)

The West is deep with talent. Teams fought hard all season, and now the matchups are locked in.

Top 6 Seeds

These teams earned playoff spots based on regular-season performance:

SeedTeamRecord
1Oklahoma City Thunder60–22
2Houston Rockets55–27
3Los Angeles Lakers51–31
4Denver Nuggets50–32
5LA Clippers48–34
6Minnesota Timberwolves45–37

Play-In Winners

Two more teams earned their way in:

  • Golden State Warriors beat the Grizzlies 121–116 to lock up the 7th seed
  • Memphis Grizzlies bounced back to beat the Mavericks 120–106 for the final spot

First-Round Matchups

MatchupNotes
(1) Thunder vs. (8) GrizzliesThunder had a top season, Grizzlies bring fight
(2) Rockets vs. (7) WarriorsYoung team vs playoff veterans
(3) Lakers vs. (6) TimberwolvesPhysical matchup, could be a long series
(4) Nuggets vs. (5) ClippersEven teams, expect close games

Play-In Tournament Recap

The Play-In Tournament added even more excitement to the end of the season. It gave four teams one final shot to sneak in—and a couple of them made it count.

East Highlights

  • Orlando beat Atlanta 120–95 to grab the 7th spot
  • Miami beat the Bulls 109–90
  • Then knocked off Atlanta 123–114 in overtime to clinch the 8th seed
  • The Heat became the first 10th seed ever to make the playoffs

West Highlights

  • Warriors beat the Grizzlies 121–116 to get in as the 7th seed
  • Mavericks beat the Kings 120–106 to stay alive
  • Grizzlies came back strong and beat the Mavericks 120–106 for the 8th seed

These were intense games where teams had no room for error.

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are here, and it’s win or go home. Every game counts now, and fans are in for a wild ride to the Finals.