The 2024-25 NBA season has been a whirlwind of thrilling matchups, breakout performances, and strategic shifts. As we near the culmination of the regular season and plunge deep into the postseason, the standings tell a compelling story of teams vying for supremacy and unexpected contenders making their mark. As of late May 2025, with Conference Finals underway, the picture of the league’s top teams is clearer than ever.
This article provides an in-depth look at the 2025 NBA standings, analyzing the Eastern and Western Conference races, highlighting the top teams, surprising performers, and the exciting playoff picture that is currently unfolding.
Key Storylines in the East:
Cavaliers’ Dominance: The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as the surprise regular season king of the East, boasting an impressive 64-18 record. Their blend of offensive firepower and improved defense has propelled them to the top seed, giving them home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Celtics’ Consistency: The Boston Celtics, despite not securing the top seed, remained a formidable force, showcasing their balanced attack and strong defensive identity. They are perennial contenders and proved it again this season.
Knicks’ Resurgence: The New York Knicks have continued their upward trajectory, solidifying their position as a top-tier team in the East. Their grit, toughness, and strong individual performances have made them a difficult out.
Pacers’ Offensive Prowess: The Indiana Pacers have been an exciting team to watch, known for their high-octane offense. Their ability to score in transition and from beyond the arc makes them a dangerous opponent.
Play-In Drama: The battle for the play-in spots (7th through 10th seeds) was intense, with the Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat all fighting for their postseason lives until the very end of the regular season.
Western Conference: The Thunder Rises, Lakers and Nuggets Loom
The Western Conference, as always, has been a gauntlet of elite teams and burgeoning young talent. This season has seen some established contenders maintain their grip, while a new powerhouse has emerged from the youth movement.
Key Storylines in the West:
Thunder’s Ascent: The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the undisputed darlings of the Western Conference, finishing with an incredible 68-14 record. Led by their MVP candidate, they have proven that their young core is ready for prime time. Their rapid development has made them a legitimate championship threat.
Crowded Middle: The Western Conference saw a remarkably tight race for the 3rd through 6th seeds, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves all finishing with similar records. This intense competition created thrilling matchups down the stretch of the regular season.
Rockets’ Surge: The Houston Rockets made a significant leap this season, jumping from 22 wins a year ago to 52 wins under coach Ime Udoka. Their impressive improvement has positioned them as a dark horse in the playoffs.
Grizzlies’ Return: The Memphis Grizzlies, after an injury-plagued previous season, reminded everyone of their potential by securing a strong record and making their presence felt in the West.
Warriors’ Play-In Success: The Golden State Warriors, despite a somewhat inconsistent regular season, fought their way through the play-in tournament to secure a playoff spot, showcasing their championship pedigree when it mattered most.
Mavericks’ Disappointment: After reaching the NBA Finals last season, the Dallas Mavericks missed the playoffs in 2025, becoming the first team since the 2019-20 Golden State Warriors to do so. This highlights the volatile nature of the Western Conference.
Suns’ Struggles: The Phoenix Suns, despite having one of the highest payrolls in the NBA, also missed the playoffs, a significant disappointment given their “all-in” approach.
The 2025 NBA Playoff Picture: Conference Finals Heating Up
As of late May 2025, the NBA playoffs are in full swing, with the Conference Finals determining who will compete for the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy.
Eastern Conference Finals:
New York Knicks (3) vs. Indiana Pacers (4)
This series has been a hard-fought battle, with the Pacers winning Game 1 in overtime and subsequently winning Game 2 at Madison Square Garden. The series now shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3. The Knicks eliminated the reigning champion Boston Celtics in a thrilling six-game series in the Conference Semifinals, while the Pacers dispatched the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Western Conference Finals:
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
The top-seeded Thunder have asserted their dominance early, winning Game 1 and Game 2 at home. However, the Timberwolves, after upsetting the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in earlier rounds, bounced back with a decisive Game 3 victory at home. This series features a compelling matchup between MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Timberwolves’ rising star Anthony Edwards.
Key Playoff Narratives:
Upsets and Surprises: The 2025 playoffs have already seen its share of upsets, with lower seeds knocking out higher-ranked opponents. The Pacers’ run in the East and the Timberwolves’ journey in the West have been particularly captivating.
Emergence of Young Stars: Players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves) are cementing their status as league superstars with their exceptional playoff performances.
Veteran Leadership: The importance of veteran leadership has been evident, with players like LeBron James (Lakers) and Stephen Curry (Warriors) continuing to perform at high levels even as their teams face challenges.
Defensive Intensity: The playoffs have showcased a heightened level of defensive intensity, with many games being decided by crucial defensive stops and turnovers.
Surprising Teams and Disappointments of the 2025 Season
Every NBA season brings its share of surprises, both positive and negative.
Surprising Teams (Positive):
Cleveland Cavaliers: Their jump to the top seed in the East was unexpected, showcasing their growth and cohesion as a team.
Houston Rockets: Their significant improvement from 22 to 52 wins is a testament to their coaching and player development.
Detroit Pistons: Making the playoffs for the first time since 2019 is a major step forward for a franchise that has struggled in recent years. Cade Cunningham’s All-Star nod highlights their progress.
Memphis Grizzlies: Their return to playoff contention after a difficult previous season demonstrates their resilience and talent.
Disappointing Teams:
Dallas Mavericks: Missing the playoffs after an NBA Finals appearance is a clear disappointment, raising questions about their roster construction and consistency.
Phoenix Suns: Despite heavy investment and a star-studded roster, their inability to make the playoffs is a significant setback.
Philadelphia 76ers: Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017, even with the acquisition of Paul George, indicates challenges they faced throughout the season.
Miami Heat: While they made the play-in, missing the main playoff bracket after often overachieving in previous seasons might be seen as a minor disappointment for their high standards.
MVP Race and All-NBA Selections
The 2025 MVP race was fiercely contested, with several deserving candidates. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder ultimately took home the MVP award, solidifying his status as one of the league’s brightest stars.
2025 All-NBA First Team:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder) – MVP
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Notable selections include LeBron James making his astounding 21st All-NBA selection, a testament to his unprecedented longevity and continued excellence.
FAQs
What are the final 2024–25 NBA regular season standings?
As of the end of the regular season, the standings were as follows:
Eastern Conference:
Cleveland Cavaliers (64–18)
Boston Celtics (61–21)
New York Knicks (51–31)
Indiana Pacers (50–32)
Milwaukee Bucks (48–34)
Detroit Pistons (44–38)
Orlando Magic (41–41)
Miami Heat (37–45)
Western Conference:
Oklahoma City Thunder (68–14)
Denver Nuggets (53–29)
Los Angeles Lakers (52–30)
Golden State Warriors (50–32)
Houston Rockets (48–34)
Minnesota Timberwolves (46–36)
LA Clippers (44–38)
Memphis Grizzlies (42–40)
Which teams advanced to the 2025 NBA Conference Finals?
The Conference Finals matchups are:
Eastern Conference: (3) New York Knicks vs. (4) Indiana Pacers
Western Conference: (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
As of May 25, 2025, the Pacers lead the Knicks 2–0, and the Thunder lead the Timberwolves 2–1.
What is the current playoff picture and schedule?
The NBA Playoffs began on April 19, 2025, following the Play-In Tournament held from April 15–18. The Conference Finals are scheduled from May 20 to June 2, with the NBA Finals set to commence on June 5.
Who are the standout players in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
Key performers include:
Pascal Siakam (Pacers): Scored 39 points in Game 2 against the Knicks, showcasing his pivotal role in Indiana’s playoff run.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): Led Oklahoma City to the best regular-season record and was instrumental in their playoff success.
Have there been any major upsets in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
Yes, notable upsets include:
Indiana Pacers: As the 4th seed, they defeated the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 4–1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The 6th seed in the West, they eliminated the 3rd-seeded Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 in the First Round.
What is the format of the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The Play-In Tournament involves teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference:
Game 1: 7th seed vs. 8th seed; winner secures the 7th playoff spot.
Game 2: 9th seed vs. 10th seed; loser is eliminated.
Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2; winner secures the 8th playoff spot.
This format was implemented to increase competitiveness and reduce tanking.
When and where will the 2025 NBA Finals take place?
The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 5, 2025. The series will be a best-of-seven format, with the team holding the better regular-season record receiving home-court advantage.
How can fans watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs and Finals?
Games are broadcasted on major networks such as ESPN, TNT, and ABC. Additionally, streaming is available through platforms like NBA League Pass and the respective network’s streaming services.
What are the key storylines heading into the NBA Finals?
Knicks’ Resilience: Despite trailing 0–2, the Knicks have a history of comebacks in the 2025 playoffs, including overcoming deficits against the Celtics and Pistons.
Thunder’s Dominance: Oklahoma City achieved a franchise-best 68–14 regular-season record and is led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Pacers’ Strategic Moves: The mid-season acquisition of Pascal Siakam has been instrumental in Indiana’s deep playoff run.
Where can I find the latest updates on NBA standings and playoffs?
For real-time updates and detailed statistics, visit:
ESPN NBA Standings
Basketball-Reference Standings
NBA Playoff Bracket – ESPN
To conclude
The 2024–25 NBA season has been a rollercoaster of thrilling performances, unexpected upsets, and emerging storylines. As the playoffs progress, teams like the Indiana Pacers and Minnesota Timberwolves have defied expectations, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the sport. The Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sets a high bar for championship aspirations. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks’ resilience keeps fans hopeful for a historic comeback.
As we approach the NBA Finals, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the culmination of a season filled with passion, strategy, and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned to official NBA platforms and trusted sports news outlets for the latest updates, and enjoy the remaining games of this exhilarating season.
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