With the NBA playoffs just over a month away and the regular season ending on April 13, teams are making their final push. Since the February 6 trade deadline, Luka Doncic has found his stride with the Lakers, helping them climb to the second seed in the West, while the Mavericks are battling for a play-in spot amid injuries to Anthony Davis and a season-ending ACL tear for Kyrie Irving. The Warriors are also on a hot streak, going 9-1 since trading for Jimmy Butler and moving up to the sixth seed in the West. In the East, the Detroit Pistons are on track for their first playoff appearance since 2019, pushing for the fourth seed and home-court advantage alongside the Bucks and Pacers.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
   • 2024-25 record: 52-10
   • Next Games: @ CHA (Mar. 7), @ MIL (Mar. 9), vs. BKN (Mar. 11)
   • The Cavaliers are the first team to reach 50 wins this season, securing their playoff berth and currently riding a 12-game winning streak—their third double-digit winning streak of the year. The addition of De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline has proven to be one of the team’s best moves. Since joining from Atlanta, Hunter has been a key contributor off the bench, averaging 15 points per game while shooting 52% from three-point range.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
   • 2024-25 record: 51-11
   • Next games: vs. POR (Mar. 7), vs. DEN (Mar. 9), vs. DEN (Mar. 10)
   • The Thunder have had double-digit wins in 40 of their 51 games this season, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having an MVP-caliber season. He recently had his fourth 50-point game of the season in Monday’s win over the Rockets. Currently holding the top seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder have an 11-game lead over the Lakers.
3. Boston Celtics
   • 2024-25 record: 44-18
   • Next games: vs. PHI (Mar. 6), vs. LAL (Mar. 8), vs. UTA (Mar. 10)
   • The defending champions trail the first-seeded Cavaliers by eight games, making their chances of claiming the top spot unlikely. However, they are building momentum with recent wins against the Nuggets and Blazers, highlighted by a historic performance from Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, who both scored 40-plus points in the same game.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
   • 2024-25 record: 39-21
   • Next games: vs. NYK (Mar. 6), @ BOS (Mar. 8), @ BKN (Mar. 10)
   • Since the Luka Doncic trade, the Lakers have had the third-best defensive ranking in the league, despite most expecting the Lakers to struggle defensively with no clear center and the loss of Anthony Davis. The Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the league winning nine straight games against teams with a .500 record or better.
5. Denver Nuggets
   • 2024-25 record: 40-22
   • Next games: vs. PHX (Mar. 7), @ OKC (Mar. 9), @ OKC (Mar. 10)
   • The Nuggets have faced challenges against top-tier teams, splitting their last six games against playoff contenders with a 3-3 record. Their shooters surrounding Nikola Jokic have been inconsistent, and the team’s defense has been average at best. While Jokic alone makes the Nuggets a formidable threat, a deep playoff run will require more consistent contributions from Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and the rest of the supporting cast.
6. New York Knicks
   • 2024-25 record: 40-21
   • Next games: @ LAL (Mar. 6), @ LAC (Mar. 7), @ SAC (Mar. 10)
   • The Knicks have struggled against the league’s elite teams, going 0-7 against top contenders like Boston, Cleveland, and Oklahoma City. To turn things around, they must improve defensively, and the return of center Mitchell Robinson will improve that.
7. Houston Rockets
   • 2024-25 record: 37-25
   • Next games: @ NO (Mar. 6), vs. NO (Mar. 8), vs. ORL (Mar. 10)
   • The Rockets are in a slump, going 5-10 in their last 15 games. Their early-season defensive intensity has faded, and they’ve dropped to the fifth seed in the West.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
   • 2024-25 record: 38-24
   • Next games: @ DAL (Mar. 7), @ NO (Mar. 9), vs. PHX (Mar. 10)
   • The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last 10 games, including three straight by a combined five points. With their best scorer and defender Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined due to an ankle sprain, they’re dropping down the standings.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
   • 2024-25 record: 36-25
   • Next games: vs. ORL (Mar. 8), vs. CLE (Mar. 9), @ IND (Mar. 11)
   • The Bucks are 8-2 in their last 10 games since acquiring Kyle Kuzma at the trade deadline. Their defense has improved, but they’re in a tight race with the Pacers and Pistons for the 4th-6th seeds in the East, with home-court advantage still within reach.
10. Golden State Warriors
    • 2024-25 record: 34-28
    • Next games: @ BKN (Mar. 6), vs. DET (Mar. 8), vs. POR (Mar. 10)
    • The Warriors are 9-1 since adding Jimmy Butler and have improved on both ends of the floor. They’re closing in on the Rockets for the fifth seed in the West.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves
    • 2024-25 record: 35-29
    • Next games: @ MIA (Mar. 7), vs. SA (Mar. 9), @ DEN (Mar. 12)
    • Julius Randle has returned to the Timberwolves after they went 5-8 without him. Their offense improved slightly during his absence, but their defense struggled with Rudy Gobert also sidelined.
12. Detroit Pistons
    • 2024-25 record: 35-25
    • Next games: @ GS (Mar. 8), @ POR (Mar. 9), vs. WAS (Mar. 11)
    • The Pistons are the sixth seed in the East, just half a game behind Milwaukee for the fourth seed. Their core of Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Tobias Harris, and Malik Beasley has stayed healthy and shown significant improvement from last season.
13. Indiana Pacers
    • 2024-25 record: 35-28
    • Next games: @ ATL (Mar. 6), @ ATL (Mar. 8), @ CHI (Mar. 8)
    • The Pacers struggled in the first half of the season, but Tyrese Haliburton has been in form since the All-Star break, averaging 23.2 points on 60.7% shooting (53.2% from three) and 11.5 assists per game.
14. LA Clippers
    • 2024-25 record: 33-29
    • Next games: vs. NYK (Mar. 7), vs. SAC (Mar. 9), @ NO (Mar. 11)
    • Kawhi Leonard has found his rhythm, averaging 23.4 points, 6 rebounds, and shooting 41.2% from three. However, the Clippers have lost six of their last eight games due to defensive struggles from the rest of the team.
15. Sacramento Kings
    • 2024-25 record: 32-29
    • Next games: vs. SA (Mar. 7), @ LAC (Mar. 9), vs. NYK (Mar. 10)
    • Zach LaVine has been on fire, averaging 23.8 points and shooting 58.8% from three in his last five games. Despite Domantas Sabonis’ absence due to a hamstring strain, the Kings have won four of their last five and are fighting to climb out of the play-in tournament.
16. Dallas Mavericks
    • 2024-25 record: 32-31
    • Next games: vs. MEM (Mar. 7), vs. PHX (Mar. 9), @ SA (Mar. 10)
    • Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL has ended the Mavericks’ playoff hopes. The team has to decide whether to bring Anthony Davis back for a playoff push or to focus on next season. A win against Phoenix is crucial to stay in the play-in race.
17. Miami Heat
    • 2024-25 record: 29-32
    • Next games: vs. MIN (Mar. 7), vs. CHI (Mar. 8), vs. CHA (Mar. 10)
    • Bam Adebayo has stepped up in Jimmy Butler’s team suspension, averaging 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists since late January, including multiple 30-point games.
18. Orlando Magic
    • 2024-25 record: 29-34
    • Next games: vs. CHI (Mar. 6), @ MIL (Mar. 8), @ HOU (Mar. 10)
    • With Jalen Suggs out for the season due to knee surgery, the Magic will likely need to advance through the play-in tournament to secure a playoff spot.
19. Phoenix Suns
    • 2024-25 record: 29-33
    • Next games: @ DEN (Mar. 7), @ DAL (Mar. 9), @ MEM (Mar. 10)
    • The Suns are three games behind Dallas for the final play-in spot. Their upcoming game against the Mavericks is a must-win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
20. Atlanta Hawks
    • 2024-25 record: 28-34
    • Next games: vs. IND (Mar. 6), vs. IND (Mar. 8), vs. PHI (Mar. 10)
    • Caris LeVert has averaged 16.8 points since joining Atlanta at the trade deadline. The Hawks are currently eighth in the East and will likely need to advance through the play-in tournament to make the playoffs.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
    • 2024-25 record: 28-35
    • Next games: @ OKC (Mar. 7), vs. DET (Mar. 9), @ GS (Mar. 10)
    • The Trail Blazers are four games behind Dallas for the final play-in spot but have won five of their last seven games, keeping their slim hopes alive.
22. San Antonio Spurs
    • 2024-25 record: 26-34
    • Next games: @ SAC (Mar. 7), @ MIN (Mar. 9), vs. DAL (Mar. 10)
    • Victor Wembanyama is out for the season and Stephon Castle has emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate, scoring 20-plus points in three straight games.
23. Chicago Bulls
    • 2024-25 record: 24-38
    • Next games: @ ORL (Mar. 6), @ MIA (Mar. 8), vs. IND (Mar. 10)
    • The Bulls have won just three of their last 10 games but remain in the 10th seed because of key wins against Philadelphia and Toronto. Josh Giddey has been playing at a high level, averaging 22.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists since the All-Star break.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
    • 2024-25 record: 21-40
    • Next games: @ BOS (Mar. 6), vs. UTA (Mar. 9), @ ATL (Mar. 10)
    • With Joel Embiid out for the season due to a knee injury, the 76ers are focused on the lottery and hoping to retain their top-six protected draft pick.
25. Toronto Raptors
    • 2024-25 record: 20-42
    • Next games: vs. UTA (Mar. 7), vs. WAS (Mar. 8), vs. WAS (Mar. 10)
    • Immanuel Quickley and Scottie Barnes are getting extended playing time together, solidifying their roles as the future of the franchise.
26. Brooklyn Nets
    • 2024-25 record: 21-40
    • Next games: vs. GS (Mar. 6), @ CHA (Mar. 8), vs. LAL (Mar. 10)
    • Cam Thomas and D’Angelo Russell are set to return from injuries and will provide a boost to the Nets’ offense.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
    • 2024-25 record: 17-45
    • Next games: vs. HOU (Mar. 6), @ HOU (Mar. 8), vs. MEM (Mar. 9)
    • Zion Williamson showcased his All-Star talent with a 37-point performance against the Lakers on Tuesday, reminding everyone of his potential when healthy.
28. Utah Jazz
    • 2024-25 record: 15-47
    • Next games: @ TOR (Mar. 7), @ PHI (Mar. 9), @ BOS (Mar. 10)
    • The Jazz currently have the third-worst record in the NBA and would want to stay bottom three to improve their lottery odds.
29. Charlotte Hornets
    • 2024-25 record: 14-47
    • Next games: vs. CLE (Mar. 7), vs. BKN (Mar. 8), @ MIA (Mar. 10)
    • The Hornets currently have the second-worst record in the NBA and would want to stay bottom three to improve their lottery odds. Their last win was against the Lakers on February 19th.
30. Washington Wizards
    • 2024-25 record: 12-49
    • Next games: @ TOR (Mar. 8), @ TOR (Mar. 10), @ DET (Mar. 11)
    • The Wizards currently have the worst record in the NBA.