The 2025 NBA Playoffs are still some time away, but there’s much to analyze about the current playoff landscape.

Playoff Structure

The teams ranked 7th through 10th will engage in the NBA Play-in Tournament to secure a spot in the first round of the playoffs. Here’s a potential view of what the playoff bracket would resemble if the season concludes now:

Eastern Conference Seeding

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics
3. New York Knicks
4. Orlando Magic
5. Indiana Pacers
6. Milwaukee Bucks
7. Miami Heat
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Chicago Bulls

Eastern Conference Bracket

• (1) Cavs vs. (8) Winner of the play-in
• (2) Celtics vs. (7) Winner of the play-in
• (3) Knicks vs. (6) Bucks
• (4) Magic vs. (5) Pacers

Western Conference Seeding

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Houston Rockets
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Denver Nuggets
5. Dallas Mavericks
6. LA Clippers
7. Los Angeles Lakers
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
9. Sacramento Kings
10. Phoenix Suns

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

Key Dates for the 2025 NBA Playoffs

• 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)

This information is accurate as of January 14, 2025.