The NBA Playoffs have a way of turning casual fans into nightly viewers and dedicated supporters into full-blown fanatics. 

The 2025 regular season has just wrapped up, with 12 teams directly clinching playoff spots — six in each conference — and eight more preparing to duke it out in the always-dramatic Play-In Tournament. We’ve got powerhouse contenders chasing legacy, young upstarts eager to prove themselves, and just enough chaos to keep every round unpredictable. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just tuning in for the buzzer-beaters, this postseason is bound to deliver.

Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket

No. 1 Seed: Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)

What a season for the Cavs. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have forged one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts, turning the offense into a relentless attack that confounds defenses. But the real difference-maker has been the interior presence of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Mobley has extended his game on both ends, flashing improved footwork and mid-range shooting, while Allen remains a daunting rim protector. That balanced blend of high-octane scoring and suffocating paint defense explains why Cleveland won 64 games.

The biggest concern is Donovan Mitchell’s ankle sprain, which sidelined him for a stretch. The Cavs expect him back for the first round, but the playoffs can be unforgiving if he’s even slightly hobbled. Inexperience can also play a much bigger factor in the postseason than the regular season. Still, this group is cohesive and laser-focused on a deep run. They haven’t tasted postseason success of this magnitude since the LeBron James era, and it feels like they’re determined to make their own mark.

No. 2 Seed: Boston Celtics (61-21)

The reigning champs returned to form in a hurry. A season after raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy, they finished second in the East with a 61-21 record, anchored by Jayson Tatum’s relentless scoring and Jaylen Brown’s two-way prowess. Kristaps Porziņģis adds shooting and rim protection, while Jrue Holiday has really fortified what was already an intimidating defense.

When you finish near the top in defensive metrics and also lead the league in three-point attempts, you’re combining old-school grit with modern spacing. The only nagging worry is Brown’s knee injury. If he’s even 90%, the Celtics are still a juggernaut. Their confidence is sky-high, and the entire roster exudes the calm of a team that’s been to the mountaintop before. Another championship run? Absolutely on the table for the deepest team in the league.

No. 3 Seed: New York Knicks (51-31)

Just a few years back, the Knicks were a punchline. Now, they’re a legitimate threat in the East. Jalen Brunson’s emergence as a top-tier point guard has been the catalyst, giving them both playmaking and shot creation they sorely lacked. Josh Hart, the Knicks’ ultimate glue guy, has made his presence felt all over the court, and that kind of versatility shows up in all the little ways. The late-season return of Mitchell Robinson shores up their rim protection, adding extra bite to a defense that can hold its own against high-powered offenses.

That said, consistency is the main question mark. They’ve really struggled against elite teams, raising concerns about whether they can survive a seven-game playoff series against the likes of Cleveland or Boston. But at 51-31, they’ve proven they can beat most teams on most nights. If Brunson stays healthy and the role players do their jobs, the Knicks could be a handful.

No. 4 Seed: Indiana Pacers (50-32)

If you’re hunting for a sleeper pick, look no further — though I'm not sure they still qualify after making the conference finals last season. The Pacers are riding a late-season hot streak, winning 13 of their last 16. Tyrese Haliburton orchestrates the offense like a seasoned maestro, threading pinpoint passes to cutters and open shooters. Beyond him, the roster is full of smart, unselfish players who move well without the ball and always seem to make the right read. They play fast, share the rock, and have a rhythm that throws off teams that aren’t ready to match their pace.

They might lack a traditional superstar, but the Pacers look like a classic “sum is greater than its parts” group — dangerous in a playoff setting when scouting reports might not fully capture their chemistry. Their question is whether they can handle adversity against star-laden squads. But the momentum is real, and any opponent that underestimates them might find themselves down 2-0 or 2-1 in a blink.

No. 5 Seed: Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)

Milwaukee ended the season on an eight-game tear, setting the stage for yet another playoff run. The Bucks' playoff hopes took a major hit with the official news that Damian Lillard will miss the rest of the season due to a blood clot. That’s a brutal blow for a team built to pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with an elite scoring guard. Without Dame, Milwaukee now has to lean even harder on Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to help Giannis carry the scoring load.

Giannis is still capable of wrecking a game on his own, and the Bucks have enough veterans to stay competitive. But the margin for error just got a whole lot smaller. Without that second star to draw attention and hit big shots late, Milwaukee suddenly feels much more vulnerable in a crowded Eastern Conference field.

No. 6 Seed: Detroit Pistons (44-38)

How about the Pistons, right? From bottom dwellers to sixth seed, they’ve flipped the narrative behind the steady growth of Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and a host of other promising pieces. Last year’s nightmares are behind them, and they’re playing free, confident basketball. Cunningham has blossomed into a do-it-all lead guard, balancing scoring, playmaking, and leadership incredibly well for someone still so early in his career.

Yes, they’re young and untested in the playoffs. The jump in intensity from regular season to postseason can be jarring. But this group has a chip on its shoulder, and they seem to thrive in the underdog role. If they catch an opponent napping, they might steal a game or two — and that's all it takes to swing a series with how physically they play.

Western Conference Playoff Bracket

No. 1 Seed: Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)

Who predicted 68 wins for the Thunder? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went from star to MVP frontrunner seemingly overnight. He’s joined by a cast that includes defensive bulldogs Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Jaylen Williams — all able to truly harass ball handlers. Add in big man Chet Holmgren, who’s shown flashes of rim protection and perimeter skill, plus Isaiah Hartenstein’s underrated interior presence, and you get a suffocating defense with enough offensive punch to burn you.

The red flag: inexperience. Not many guys on this roster have been through the grind of a long playoff run, and that experience gap can show up fast once the pressure kicks in. But sometimes, that kind of youth and confidence — where you’re not overthinking every little moment — can actually work in your favor. Opposing coaches will game plan heavily for SGA, but the Thunder have multiple ways to beat you.

No. 2 Seed: Houston Rockets (52-30)

Two years ago, Houston was a rebuilding project. Now, they’re a defensive powerhouse built around veterans rising studs Alperen Şengün, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson. They rank near the top in points allowed, excelling in rotations and hustle. Offensively, they can go cold if they rely too much on transition or if the half court bogs down. But well-coached defense travels in the postseason.

The Rockets are kind of a wild card — most teams probably aren’t taking them very seriously because they haven’t really proven anything in the playoffs yet. But that could backfire. Their defense is legit and can make life miserable for even top-tier offenses. If they can get steady scoring — maybe from VanVleet knocking down shots or Şengün stepping up — they might surprise a lot of people and go on a bit of a run.

No. 3 Seed: Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)

A year ago, pairing LeBron James and Luka Dončić seemed like a fever dream. Now, it’s a reality that has catapulted the Lakers into a legit contender. Both players are high-usage creators, yet they’ve shown remarkable synergy, with Dončić comfortable deferring to LeBron’s leadership and LeBron more than happy to let Luka shoulder big chunks of the offense. Then there’s Austin Reaves, whose rise from undrafted role player to potential star has been anything but expected.

Defensively, trading Anthony Davis might’ve looked risky on paper, but Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt have held down the paint better than expected. The question is whether they can maintain that in the playoffs, when teams zero in on weaknesses. Still, with two generational talents and a supporting cast that’s found its groove, the Lakers are a nightmare matchup.

No. 4 Seed: Denver Nuggets (50-32)

Denver shocked the league by parting ways with head coach Michael Malone days before the playoffs, turning to interim coach David Adelman. Nikola Jokić remains the engine, a triple-double threat who orchestrates offense like a big-bodied point guard. Michael Porter Jr. provides perimeter scoring and spacing, and Aaron Gordon brings athleticism in the open court. But Jamal Murray’s hamstring is a question mark. If he’s not at full capacity, Denver loses a crucial scoring and playmaking dimension.

Off-court drama sometimes galvanizes a team. Then again, a new coach might struggle with in-game adjustments at the highest stakes. If Murray’s not close to 100%, Jokić is going to have to do even more than usual, which is saying a lot. Teams will throw everything they’ve got at him, and he’ll still find ways to produce — but it’s a tall task. That said, Denver’s been in the mix for years now. When they’re rolling, they’re still one of the tougher outs in the league.

No. 5 Seed: Los Angeles Clippers (50-32)

Kawhi Leonard enters the postseason nearly at full health, a rare occurrence for a star whose career has been hampered by injuries. When he’s right, few can match his two-way impact. Paul George can still be a potent scorer and versatile defender, though he’s battled some injury issues of his own. The Clippers’ roster also has a deep bench of tough veterans, making them a solid defensive unit.

The best version of this team can hang with anybody. But can they remain consistent through a grueling playoff run? If Leonard and George both stay upright, watch out. If either one falters, L.A. might not have enough to push past the rest of the brutal West. Still, after all these years of hype, Clippers fans are hungry for that elusive deep run — and this roster has a chance to deliver.

No. 6 Seed: Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)

Anthony Edwards has taken another big leap this year, averaging over 27 a game and showing he can take over in just about any situation. With Karl-Anthony Towns no longer in the picture, the Wolves have leaned even more on Edwards to carry the offense, and he’s answered the call. His scoring, playmaking, and leadership have all grown, and he’s starting to look like the kind of guy who could lead a franchise deep into the playoffs.

The defense has been anchored by Rudy Gobert, who continues to do the dirty work inside, while guys like Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid have stepped into bigger roles and kept things steady. If Minnesota gets solid bench minutes and Edwards keeps playing at this level, they’ve got a real shot to win a series or two. They’re not flashy, but they’re tough — and that counts for a lot in the postseason.

Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament Predictions

Game 1: No. 8 Hawks (40-42) at No. 7 Magic (41-41)

Atlanta’s got Trae Young, who can still run the pick-and-roll as well as just about anyone in the league, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher has started to find his footing too. But the Magic won two of the three games between these teams, even while dealing with injuries to key guys like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Orlando's at home, and they’ve already shown they can handle Atlanta. If they can keep Trae in check and avoid silly mistakes, they’ve got a good shot to punch their ticket to the seventh seed and a first-round matchup with Boston.

Game 2: No. 10 Heat (37-45) at No. 9 Bulls (39-43)

Miami’s uncharacteristic struggles after the Jimmy Butler fiasco have them at the 10th spot, while Chicago is on a mini-roll after sealing the ninth seed. The Bulls also swept the Heat 3-0 in the season series, a telling stat in a one-game scenario. With Jimmy Butler no longer in the mix, the Heat just haven’t looked like the same team. They’ve had a hard time finding reliable scoring, and the rest of the roster hasn’t really stepped up to fill that void. Chicago, meanwhile, looks like they're firing on all cylinders at the right time. Expect the Bulls to continue their dominance and advance.

Round 2: (Likely) Hawks vs. Bulls

If the Hawks drop their game in Orlando and the Bulls dispatch the Heat, we get a Hawks-Bulls showdown. Chicago swept Atlanta 4-0 this year, putting the Hawks in a really tough spot that they haven’t figured out how to get out of all year. Trae Young is fully capable of erupting, but a one-game playoff is tough when you’ve never solved your opponent all season. The Bulls likely lock down that eighth seed, setting up a date with Cleveland.

Western Conference Play-In Tournament Predictions

Game 1: No. 8 Grizzlies (48-34) at No. 7 Warriors (48-34)

The Warriors are nearing the twilight of Stephen Curry’s prime, but he's shown he can still put this team on his back. Draymond Green has been locked in lately — he’s talking, defending, and doing all the little things that have made him the heartbeat of this team for years. The Warriors took three out of four from Memphis during the regular season, so they’ve had the edge in this matchup so far. Memphis looked like a real threat early in the year, but things unraveled after their coaching change, and they haven’t quite found their footing since. Ja Morant’s playing well again, but Golden State’s playoff experience and overall steadiness give them the upper hand here. Don’t be surprised if the Warriors grab that seventh seed.

Game 2: No. 10 Mavericks (39-43) at No. 9 Kings (40-42)

Sacramento sweeping Dallas 3-0 still jumps off the page, and the story’s changed quite a bit since the deadline. Luka Dončić was traded, and the Mavericks haven’t really found a new identity since. The Kings have looked like the more stable team, and with the home crowd behind them, they should have the edge. If Dallas can’t get hot early, this could be another quick exit.

Round 2: (Likely) Grizzlies vs. Kings

With the Warriors locking in the seventh seed, Memphis would face Sacramento for the eighth. Their regular-season battles ended 2-2, a dead heat. The Grizzlies have superior star talent, but the Kings are hungry and confident at home. This one could come down to the final possessions. Ja Morant’s ability to take over should be enough to tip the scales, sending Memphis to face the top-seeded Thunder.

Let the Games Begin

With the regular season in the books, now we get to see who’s really built for this. Some teams are entering red-hot, while others are limping in with big questions to answer. We’ve got rookies making their postseason debut, MVP candidates trying to validate monster seasons, and veterans chasing one last ring. Every series is a chess match, and every game is a chance for someone to become the story.

There’s no telling how it all shakes out — which is exactly what makes this time of year so good. Let’s see who shows up, who flames out, and who finds a gear we haven’t seen yet. The playoffs are here.