2025 NBA Playoffs are on the horizon, and fans are already buzzing about the potential matchups and team performances. While the season is still unfolding, it’s never too early to analyze the playoff landscape.
In the NBA, seeds 7-10 will battle in the Play-in Tournament to claim their spots in the first round of the playoffs. Here’s a snapshot of how the playoff bracket would shape up if the season concluded today*:
Eastern Conference Seeding
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Boston Celtics
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Miami Heat
- Detroit Pistons
- Atlanta Hawks
- Chicago Bulls
Eastern Conference Bracket
- (1) Cavs vs. (8) Winner of play-in
- (2) Celtics vs. (7) Winner of play-in
- (3) Knicks vs. (6) Bucks
- (4) Magic vs. (5) Pacers
Western Conference Seeding
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Houston Rockets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Denver Nuggets
- Dallas Mavericks
- LA Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Sacramento Kings
- Phoenix Suns
Western Conference Bracket
- (1) Thunder vs. (8) Winner of play-in
- (2) Rockets vs. (7) Winner of play-in
- (3) Grizzlies vs. (6) Clippers
- (4) Nuggets vs. (5) Mavericks
NBA Play-In Tournament Bracket
Eastern Conference
- (7) Miami Heat vs. (8) Detroit Pistons
- (9) Atlanta Hawks vs. (10) Chicago Bulls
Western Conference
- (7) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Minnesota Timberwolves
- (9) Sacramento Kings vs. (10) Phoenix Suns
* As of 1/14/2025
How many teams make the NBA playoffs?
Sixteen teams qualify for the NBA playoffs, with eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. The top six seeds in each conference earn their spots based on regular season performance, while the last two seeds are determined through the Play-In Tournament.
2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule & Key Dates
- April 15-18: NBA Play-In Tournament (ESPN, TNT)
- April 19: NBA Playoffs First Round Begins (ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV)
- May 5-6: NBA Conference Semifinals Begin (ABC, ESPN, TNT)
- May TBD: NBA Conference Finals Begin (ABC, ESPN, TNT)
- June 5: NBA Finals Begin (ABC)
