With less than a month remaining in the regular season, several teams have already secured their spots in the 2025 NBA postseason. Here’s a look at the Eastern and Western Conference teams that have clinched berths, as relayed by ESPN:
Eastern Conference:
Cleveland Cavaliers
What they’ve clinched: At least a playoff spot; won Central Division
The Cavaliers are the first team in the NBA to secure a postseason spot, with their sights set on securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since their championship run in 2015-16. The Cavs’ historic season includes two separate winning streaks of at least 15 games, positioning them for the fifth-best start in NBA history. Last season, Cleveland reached the playoffs as the No. 4 seed but fell to the Celtics in the conference semifinals.
Boston Celtics
What they’ve clinched: At least a playoff spot
The defending NBA Finals champions have clinched a playoff berth and are poised to finish as the No. 2 seed in the East. Boston, aiming for an NBA-record 19th title, extended its playoff streak to 11 seasons, the longest active streak in the league. The Celtics have made the conference finals in four of the past five seasons, with last year’s title run culminating in a Finals victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
New York Knicks
What they’ve clinched: At least a play-in spot
The Knicks, who have reached the conference semifinals in each of the past two seasons, have secured a play-in spot. Their most recent playoff exit came last season at the hands of the Pacers in a hard-fought seven-game series. New York has not made it to the conference finals since 2000 but will aim to break that drought this postseason.
Milwaukee Bucks
What they’ve clinched: At least a play-in spot
Milwaukee is back in the postseason after securing a spot in the play-in tournament. The Bucks will look to avoid another early playoff exit after suffering first-round losses in each of the last two seasons. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard leading the charge, the Bucks are hoping to remain healthy and make a deeper playoff push this year.
Indiana Pacers
What they’ve clinched: At least a play-in spot
The Pacers, fresh off a trip to the conference finals last season, have clinched at least a play-in berth. With a favorable schedule ahead, Indiana aims to maintain a top-six seed in the East, ensuring a direct entry into the playoffs.
Detroit Pistons
What they’ve clinched: At least a play-in spot
After finishing with a league-worst 14-68 record last season, the Pistons have secured a spot in the postseason. Their last appearance in the play-in tournament came in 2019, where they were swept in the first round by the Bucks. A strong showing this season would mark a significant turnaround for the franchise.
Western Conference:
Oklahoma City Thunder
What they’ve clinched: No. 1 seed in the West; won Northwest Division
The Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference for the sixth time in franchise history, a remarkable feat that includes consecutive seasons atop the standings. Their dominance against Eastern Conference teams (24-1) has been a highlight this season. Despite being eliminated in the conference semifinals by the Mavericks last year, the Thunder will look to make a deeper run in the playoffs this time around.
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