The 2024–25 NBA regular season schedule wraps up this Sunday, and while the top seeds OKC and Cleveland have all been but locked in since February, there’s still plenty of drama left to unfold. The Oklahoma City Thunder (67–14) have secured the No. 1 seed in the West, and the Cleveland Cavaliers (64–17) have clinched the top spot in the East. However, the middle of the Western Conference remains a battleground, with seeds 4 through 8 separated by just a single game.​ Sunday’s games will be pivotal in determining final seeding

In the East, the playoff picture is clearer. The top six seeds are set: Cleveland, Boston, New York, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Detroit. The play-in tournament will feature Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami. Notably, the Knicks secured the No. 3 seed despite a recent loss to the Cavaliers, thanks to the Pacers’ defeat against the Magic. ​ The Western Conference, on the other hand, is a rollercoaster. The Lakers have clinched the No. 3 seed, but seeds 4 through 8 are still up for grabs. The Nuggets, Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies are all within striking distance of each other – where one game could mean landing in the Play-In.  Speaking of which….

Play-In Tournament Drama

The play-in tournament, running from April 15 to 18, will determine the final two playoff spots in each conference. In the East, Orlando will host Atlanta, with the winner securing the No. 7 seed. Chicago and Miami will battle for a chance to face the loser of the 7-8 game for the final playoff spot. In the West, the picture is an absolute mess that only NBA schedule makers love and the NBA’s finance department love. There’s going to be so much on the line the final day of the season. Depending on Sunday’s results, we could see a rematch of last year’s Golden State vs. Sacramento play-in showdown or another edition of Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves—two teams that really don’t like each other.

Next-Up Superstars and Lottery Implications, Too

Beyond the standings, player narratives have dominated headlines. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been phenomenal, averaging 31.2 points and leading OKC to its best regular season since the Durant-Westbrook era. In the East, Donovan Mitchell’s steady leadership has been a big part of Cleveland’s rise, while Jalen Brunson has quietly put together an All-NBA-caliber year for the Knickss.

While contenders gear up for the postseason, the bottom dwellers are crossing their fingers for ping-pong ball magic. The Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards are tied with the NBA’s worst records at 17–64, putting them in prime position for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft. With top international prospect Hugo Gonzalez and college standout Ace Bailey in the mix, this year’s lottery could shift franchise futures.

Download NBA Playoff Bracket 2025

These free printable NBA Playoff bracket for 2025 files offer a simple way to keep track of the games. They provide a basic structure to record the progress of each team throughout the playoffs. Whether you’re a casual fan or a dedicated follower, these bracket templates can enhance your engagement with the NBA playoffs. You can easily fill them out as the playoff seeds clear up and the tournament unfolds.