The final day of the 2024-25 NBA regular season brought drama and clarity to the playoff picture, as both the LA Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves secured postseason berths with key victories.
Clippers Edge Warriors in OT Thriller to Lock Up 5th Seed
The
Los Angeles Clippers clinched the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference after a 124-119 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors.
James Harden led the way with 39 points, including 12 in OT, as LA sets up a playoff showdown with the Denver Nuggets.
The Warriors, meanwhile, slip to the No. 7 seed and will now participate in the Play-In Tournament.
Anthony Edwards Powers Timberwolves to 6th Seed
The Minnesota Timberwolves also punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 116-105 win over the Utah Jazz.
Anthony Edwards exploded for 43 points, securing the No. 6 spot in the West and a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.
NBA 2025 Playoff Teams
Eastern Conference Playoff Teams
- Cleveland Cavaliers (1)
- Boston Celtics (2)
- New York Knicks (3)
- Indiana Pacers (4)
- Milwaukee Bucks (5)
- Detroit Pistons (6)
Eastern Conference Play-In Teams
- Orlando Magic (7)
- Atlanta Hawks (8)
- Chicago Bulls (9)
- Miami Heat (10)
Western Conference Playoff Teams
- Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
- Houston Rockets (2)
- Los Angeles Lakers (3)
- Denver Nuggets (4)
- LA Clippers (5)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Western Conference Play-In Teams
- Golden State Warriors (7)
- Memphis Grizzlies (8)
- Sacramento Kings (9)
- Dallas Mavericks (10)
How the NBA Play-In Tournament Works
- 7th seed vs. 8th seed: Winner advances as the 7th seed in the playoffs.
- 9th seed vs. 10th seed: Winner plays the loser of the 7 vs. 8 game.
- That winner claims the final 8th seed, while the loser is eliminated.
Once the play-ins are complete, the traditional NBA Playoff bracket begins with best-of-seven series in each round:
- First Round
- Conference Semifinals
- Conference Finals
- NBA Finals
2025 NBA Playoff Schedule and Matchups
Western Conference Play-In Tournament
- Golden State Warriors (7) vs.
Memphis Grizzlies (8)
- Sacramento Kings (9) vs.
Dallas Mavericks (10)
Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament
- Orlando Magic (7) vs.
Atlanta Hawks (8)
- Chicago Bulls (9) vs.
Miami Heat (10)
Western Conference Playoff Matchups
- (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. TBD
- (2) Houston Rockets vs. TBD
- (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs.
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves
- (4) Denver Nuggets vs.
(5) LA Clippers
Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups
- (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. TBD
- (2) Boston Celtics vs. TBD
- (3) New York Knicks vs.
(6) Detroit Pistons
- (4) Indiana Pacers vs.
(5) Milwaukee Bucks
When Do the NBA Playoffs and Finals Begin?
- Play-In Tournament: April 16–18
- NBA Playoffs: April 19 – June 2
- NBA Finals: Begin June 5
- If needed,
Game 7 of the NBA Finals will take place on June 22.
