The stage is officially set for the 2025 NBA Playoffs, and fans are in for a wild ride. All 20 teams have punched their tickets to the postseason, with 16 locked into the traditional bracket and four more heading into the high-stakes Play-In Tournament. The race to the playoffs came down to the wire — and in the Western Conference, it literally came down to the final game of the season.
In a dramatic overtime showdown, Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors outdueled Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers to grab one of the last remaining postseason spots. It was a fitting end to a tightly contested season, one filled with breakout stars, shifting power dynamics, and surprising runs. Now, only one goal remains for each of the 20 teams: winning the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Eastern Conference: A Power Struggle at the Top
The Cleveland Cavaliers emerged as the East’s No. 1 seed after a dominant 64-win campaign — the franchise’s best regular-season record since the LeBron era. Led by a blend of young talent and veteran leadership, Cleveland now carries the target on its back heading into the playoffs.
Right behind them sit the reigning NBA champions: the Boston Celtics. After winning it all last year, the Celtics are looking to go back-to-back — a feat no team has accomplished since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2017 and 2018. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in peak form and a deeper supporting cast than ever, Boston is more than ready to defend its crown.
Also in the mix: the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo; the surging New York Knicks, finally shedding the underdog label; and the young and fearless Orlando Magic, who surprised many by locking up a top-six seed.
Western Conference: Anything Can Happen
Out West, the playoff picture wasn’t fully set until the final buzzer. The Golden State Warriors clawed their way into the Play-In after outlasting the LA Clippers in an overtime thriller. For a team that’s been to six Finals in the past decade, Golden State now faces an uphill climb just to make it into the first round.
The Denver Nuggets secured the top seed again, aiming to reclaim the title they won in 2023. Nikola Jokić is playing MVP-caliber basketball, and the Nuggets’ core is battle-tested and built for deep runs.
But the West is stacked. The Minnesota Timberwolves enjoyed a breakout year and hold the No. 2 seed, while Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks are lurking as a dangerous dark horse. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns round out a competitive field with the talent to surprise anyone.
Five Teams Still Chasing Their First Ring
Of the 20 playoff teams, five franchises have never won an NBA championship — including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets (pre-2023), Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and the LA Clippers. For those fan bases, this postseason represents not just a title opportunity, but a chance at history.
What’s Next?
The Play-In Tournament tips off this week, with matchups that could shake up the entire bracket. From there, it’s a sprint to the Finals — and with so many evenly matched teams, the path won’t be easy for anyone.
The NBA Playoffs are always about legacies. Can Boston repeat and end the longest no-repeat stretch in modern league history? Will Cleveland reclaim former glory? Or will a new champion rise for the first time?
One thing is certain: with 20 teams and countless storylines, the 2025 NBA Playoffs are shaping up to be unforgettable.
Want a team-by-team breakdown or predictions for each series? Let me know and I’ll put it together.
