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With just a month left in the 2024-25 regular season, its final chapter is slowly being crafted. The narrative will likely reflect the typical nature of a regular season: a blend of predictable outcomes and surprising twists—a contradiction over the course of 82 games.
However, the season is not over yet. The playoff positions, the order for the SoFi Play-In Tournament, and the participants in the Draft lottery remain to be settled. Some teams will battle it out for their rightful place in the postseason, while others have already accepted their fates.
Here’s a look at how the standings in both the Eastern and Western Conferences might shape up by this time next month, with teams ranked according to their anticipated finish.
As the clock ticks down, much like the 24-second shot clock, there’s only time for one last impactful shot.
The playoff 6
Cleveland’s dynamic play and relentless approach position them well for a championship challenge.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Their impressive campaign shows no signs of faltering as they cruise toward the playoffs, sitting comfortably at the top. The priority now is to remain healthy, seek out additional motivation, and grasp the significance of these final games. Look for Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland to be in the conversation for seasonal accolades.
2. Boston Celtics: A tendency to become fatigued with the regular season, coupled with the Cavaliers’ unexpected resilience, has solidified the Celtics’ spot in second place. While not unfavorable, it does mean the Celtics would lack home-court advantage against the Cavs if they meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are hitting their strides at the right moment, and Jrue Holiday is finally back on the floor. Kristaps Porziņģis is expected to make an impact soon.
3. New York Knicks: Issues such as poor defensive performance, struggles against superior teams, and Jalen Brunson’s ankle injury are hindering the Knicks’ hopes of climbing higher than a third-place finish in the East. These challenges must be resolved before the playoffs for New York to entertain thoughts of reaching the Eastern Finals (the Knicks’ record against the Celtics and Cavaliers stands at 0-5).
4. Indiana Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton’s breathtaking falling 3-pointer against the Bucks on Tuesday raises questions about the team’s potential: where might they stand if he returns to last season’s form? If that occurs in the playoffs, the Pacers could be a formidable contender.
5. Milwaukee Bucks: Struggling to secure a top-three position in the East has become more difficult with Bobby Portis now facing a 25-game suspension. Much of the burden falls on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard as Brook Lopez’s inability to leap limits his effectiveness (averaging just five rebounds per game, his lowest since 2021-22), while Kyle Kuzma is still adjusting, and the bench lacks depth.
6. Detroit Pistons: They still have a chance to climb to fourth place, but for now, a top-six finish seems secure. Cade Cunningham’s growth and the resilient Pistons make a compelling narrative worth celebrating. Plus, they could prove troublesome to any playoff opponent.
Milwaukee, Indiana, and Detroit are tightly bunched as the regular season nears its conclusion.
The SoFi Play-In Tournament 4
7. Atlanta Hawks: Although their record may not reflect it, this Hawks squad is thriving. The acquisition of Dyson Daniels from the Pelicans and the upward progress of rookie Zaccharie Risacher, along with Caris LeVert’s strong play since joining midseason, are positives. Trae Young has solid support, although the absence of injured Jalen Johnson is unfortunate.
8. Miami Heat: The season turned sour when Jimmy Butler lost his passion (essentially not receiving an extension). Tyler Herro blossomed into an All-Star, and rookie Kel’el Ware shows promise. Yet, with Bam Adebayo experiencing a rare down year, even if the Heat make the playoffs, they lack the “Playoff Jimmy” magic.
9. Orlando Magic: The plummet of the Magic hasn’t garnered the same attention as the struggles faced by the Mavericks and 76ers. At one point, Orlando was in the upper echelon of the East. Though injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs played a role, securing a playoff berth would greatly benefit a season that saw regression.
10. Chicago Bulls: Coby White and Josh Giddey add intrigue to the Bulls’ late-season foray. It remains imperative for the team to clarify their long-term vision, but for now, making it into the Play-In while giving rookie Matas Buzelis a taste of the stakes is a step in the right direction.
The Lottery 5
11. Toronto Raptors: A dismal road record (7-23) and shaky defense have dashed the Raptors’ hopes of sneaking into the Play-In, particularly given their promising roster of RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl.
12. Brooklyn Nets: Their decision to avoid a bottoming-out strategy in pursuit of the No. 1 pick is both commendable and puzzling. However, they boast impressive young talent and enough cap space and Draft picks to engineer a resurgence by the 2025-26 season.
13. Philadelphia 76ers: Comparisons to “The Process” are inevitable, but at least it came without the weight of expectations. The current situation feels particularly discouraging for 2024-25. The Sixers are grappling with repercussions from two pivotal summer decisions: Joel Embiid’s participation in the 2024 Olympics and the offseason signing of Paul George.
14. Charlotte Hornets: Should the Hornets win the Draft lottery, it would mean that Duke’s Cooper Flagg—the leading prospect—would, most likely, play in North Carolina next season.
15. Washington Wizards: Oh, what a situation they find themselves in.
The playoff 6
Sam Presti has crafted an Oklahoma City team rich in two-way talent.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder are now the team to beat in the West, representing a bright future. What’s troubling for opponents is their excellent defense, depth, and of course, the presence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. They are entertaining to watch, so anticipate their continued presence in the postseason.
2. Denver Nuggets: If this represents a down year, the Nuggets will happily accept it. Jamal Murray’s inconsistency, Aaron Gordon’s injuries, and a lackluster bench haven’t sent Denver spiraling into the abyss just yet. Comfort comes from a 2-2 record against OKC this season, along with Nikola Jokić’s remarkable play.
3. Memphis Grizzlies: The last time Ja Morant was healthy and not sidelined, the Grizzlies were a top-three team in the West, winning 50 games and poised to make a run at the Western Conference Finals. The question now is whether they’ve returned to that level. The answer is uncertain, as Morant’s efficiency has dipped, but he still possesses the ability to dazzle. The surrounding talent is promising yet inexperienced.
4. Los Angeles Lakers: The belief that the Luka Dončić trade was constructed more for future benefits looks misguided now, as the Lakers are contending for second place in the West. Their surge over the past few months has showcased improved defense, and LeBron James continues to defy age. Nevertheless, he is recovering from injury, and the Lakers’ lack of size might become an issue.
5. Golden State Warriors: The revitalization of both Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry after the midseason point has propelled the Warriors upward. Golden State appears refreshed and ready for the next challenge, with a first-round clash against the Lakers anticipated as a must-watch series.
6. Houston Rockets: Following a rough 5-11 stretch from late January to early March, the Rockets are in a recovery phase. There’s enough talent to avert a further nosedive, and this season serves as a stepping stone for their young roster. Watching how Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson progress will be essential.
The SoFi Play-In Tournament 4
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: The previous season’s conference finalists have faced a reality check. Rudy Gobert and Mike Conley are having challenging seasons, while the performances of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo have been mixed. The silver lining is Naz Reid’s push for a significant extension, and Anthony Edwards seems ready for the challenge.
8. LA Clippers: Just when Kawhi Leonard has finally returned to health, the team finds itself slipping in the standings. While the Clippers and James Harden could pose a threat in the playoffs, they need to make it there first.
9. Sacramento Kings: Zach LaVine is achieving a dual purpose: revitalizing both his career and the Kings’ fortunes. It appears there may be life following De’Aaron Fox’s departure after all. However, it seems the initial excitement surrounding the “beam” has waned. It’s time to make roster adjustments around Domantas Sabonis this summer to reignite that spark.
10. Dallas Mavericks: The toll of injuries has been immense for the Mavericks, with the aftermath of the Dončić trade being particularly gut-wrenching. A series of misfortunes since December, where they were positioned fourth, is striking—perhaps even unparalleled in NBA history.
The Lottery 5
11. Phoenix Suns: While some may argue they are in a better position than the Mavericks, Phoenix faces the toughest remaining schedule in the league. Additionally, the fractured team must quickly pivot in terms of culture and motivation before it’s too late. As of now, enthusiasm appears to be lacking.
12. San Antonio Spurs: Their situation was finalized last month when Victor Wembanyama became a permanent absence. Perhaps expecting rapid growth for the Spurs was overly ambitious, especially after acquiring Fox at the trading deadline. San Antonio supporters are hoping for some luck in the Draft lottery, a rarity in the franchise’s history.
13. Portland Trail Blazers: It may be too late for the Blazers, who have showcased flashes of promise this spring but couldn’t overcome a dismal start to the season. Questions linger about Scoot Henderson, the rationale behind not making significant trades at the deadline, and coach Chauncey Billups’ future.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: On a positive note, Zion Williamson is healthy and demonstrating his athleticism. This, however, serves as a consolation prize for the Pelicans during a 2024-25 season that fell drastically short of expectations. This summer’s decisions regarding Williamson will offer insight into the franchise’s future direction.
15. Utah Jazz: They’ve been all about the Draft lottery since the holiday season, having prepped for their green room seat.
* * * Shaun Powell boasts over 25 years of experience covering the NBA. You can reach him via email here, explore his archives here, or follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily represent those of the NBA, its franchises, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
