2024 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, standings, latest playoff picture as playoffs near

2024-12-25 12:25:09 source:lotradecoin versus kraken comparison category:Markets

The NBA is nearing the end of the 2023-24 regular season, and while some teams have secured their playoff spots, others are still fighting for a chance to make the postseason.

The Boston Celtics are leading the Eastern Conference with a record of 59-16 and have already secured the regular season title. The Milwaukee Bucks are in second place, two games ahead of the Cavaliers. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in third place with a record of 45-30, while the New York Knicks are in fourth place with a record of 44-30.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder currently hold the top spot with a 52-22 record, while the Denver Nuggets are close behind with a 52-23 record. The Minnesota Timberwolves sit in third place and have a four-game lead over the fourth-placed Los Angeles Clippers.

Here's how the playoff picture currently looks with just two weeks left to play in the regular season.

NBA:Minnesota Timberwolves sale: What we know about Alex Rodriguez and how deal collapsed

NBA playoff standings

Current after April 1 games. The top 6 teams in each conference automatically make the playoffs. Teams in positions 7-10 qualify for the play-in tournament.

Eastern Conference

SeedTeamRecordGames back
1.Boston Celtics - c57-16--
2.Milwaukee Bucks - x47-2812.0
3.Cleveland Cavaliers - x46-3013.5
4.Orlando Magic - x44-3115.0
5.New York Knicks - x44-3115.0
6.Indiana Pacers - x43-3316.5
7.Miami Heat - x42-3317.5
8.Philadelphia 76ers - x41-3518.5
9.Chicago Bulls36-4023.5
10.Atlanta Hawks35-4024.0
11.Brooklyn Nets29-4730.5
12.Toronto Raptors23-5236.0
13.Charlotte Hornets - o18-5741.0
14.Washington Wizards - o15-6144.5
15.Detroit Pistons - o13-6246.0
(c): Team has clinched conference. (x): Team has clinched postseason spot. (o): Team eliminated from playoff contention.

Western Conference

SeedTeamRecordGames back
1.Denver Nuggets - x53-23--
2.Minnesota Timberwolves - x52-230.5
3.Oklahoma City Thunder - x52-230.5
4.Los Angeles Clippers47-285.5
5.Dallas Mavericks45-307.5
6.New Orleans Pelicans45-307.5
7.Sacramento Kings44-318.5
8.Phoenix Suns44-318.5
9.Los Angeles Lakers43-3310.0
10.Golden State Warriors41-3411.5
11.Houston Rockets38-3714.5
12.Utah Jazz29-4724.0
13.Memphis Grizzlies - o25-5027.5
14.Portland Trail Blazers - o19-5633.5
15.San Antonio Spurs - o18-5835.0
(x): Team has clinched postseason spot. (o): Team eliminated from playoff contention.

NBA Eastern Conference playoff bracket

Here's how the first round of the playoffs would shake out in the East if the season ended after Monday.

  • No. 1 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 seed (Winner of the Play-In Tournament)
  • No. 2 seed Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 7 seed (Winner of the Play-In Tournament)
  • No. 3 seed Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers
  • No. 4 seed Orlando Magic vs. No. 5 seed New York Knicks

NBA Western Conference playoff bracket

Here's how the matchups look with the current standings in the Western Conference.

  • No. 1 seed Denver Nuggets vs. No. 8 seed (Winner of the Play-In Tournament)
  • No. 2 seed Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 7 seed (Winner of the Play-In Tournament)
  • No. 3 seed Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 6 seed New Orleans Pelicans
  • No. 4 seed Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks

What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?

The NBA Play-In Tournament, with its current system implemented for the 2021 playoffs, allowed each conference to expand its potential playoff field from eight teams to 10. The seventh- through 10th-ranked teams in each conference at the end of the regular season play in a four-day tournament to decide the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in the first round of the playoffs.

In one set of games, the seventh-place team for each conference hosts the eighth-place finisher. The winners in each conference gets the No. 7 seed in their brackets.

In another set of games, the ninth-ranked team in each conference hosts the 10th-place team. The winners of those games play the losers of the seventh place vs. eighth place matchups to determine the No. 8 seed in their respective conferences.

This year, the play-in tournament begins April 16 and concludes April 19. The first round of the NBA playoffs begin April 20.

NBA Eastern Conference play-in tournament matchup

Here's how things currently look for the play-in in the East:

  • Seventh-place Miami Heat vs. eighth-place Philadelphia 76ers
  • Ninth-place Chicago Bulls vs. 10th-place Atlanta Hawks

NBA Western Conference play-in tournament matchup

Here's how things currently look for the play-in in the West:

  • Seventh-place Phoenix Suns vs. eighth-place Sacramento Kings
  • Ninth-place Los Angeles Lakers vs. 10th-place Golden State Warriors

When do the 2024 NBA Playoffs start?

The first round of the NBA playoffs begins April 20. Depending on how quickly first-round matchups are decided, the conference semifinals begin either May 4-5 or May 6-7. The conference finals are scheduled to begin May 21-22 but could move to May 19-20 pending conference semifinal results.

The NBA Finals begin June 6.

More:Markets

Recommend

Beyoncé takes home first award in country music category at 2024 Billboard Music Awards

Beyoncé is taking home her first country award after her eighth studio album "Cowboy Carter" garner

Come on Barbie, Let's Go Shopping: Forever 21 Just Launched an Exclusive Barbie Collection

We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like

Ariana Madix Details Lovely and Caring Romance With Daniel Wai After Tom Sandoval Break Up

Ariana Madix has found happiness again after SUR-viving Scandoval.Two months after ex Tom Sandvoal's