NBA Standings 2025-26: Playoff Picture, Seeds, and Race Breakdown
The 2025-26 NBA season is heading into the home stretch, and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Here is where every team stands in both conferences.
Eastern Conference
The Boston Celtics are the top seed in the East with a 48-18 record. They have been the most consistent team in the league all season, with Jayson Tatum averaging 28.5 points per game and Jaylen Brown providing elite two-way play. Their defense is the best in the league, and they look like the favorites to return to the Finals.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the surprise of the season at 46-20. Donovan Mitchell has been an MVP candidate, averaging 27.3 points and 6.1 assists. Their young core of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen has taken a leap, and the Cavs are a legitimate threat to come out of the East.
The New York Knicks sit at 44-22, powered by Jalen Brunson's playmaking and a deep roster. The Milwaukee Bucks are 4th at 42-24, with Giannis Antetokounmpo still being the most dominant force in basketball when healthy.
Western Conference
The Oklahoma City Thunder lead the West at 50-16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP frontrunner, averaging 31.2 points per game with elite efficiency. Chet Holmgren has become one of the best two-way bigs in the league, and the Thunder's depth is unmatched.
The Denver Nuggets are 2nd at 46-20. Nikola Jokic is doing Jokic things — averaging a triple-double for the third time in his career. The Nuggets are the most experienced team in the West and know how to win in the playoffs.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (44-22) and Dallas Mavericks (42-24) round out the top 4. Anthony Edwards is having his best season, and Luka Doncic is still one of the most unstoppable offensive players in basketball.
Play-in tournament
The 7-10 seeds in each conference will compete in the play-in tournament. In the East, the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, and Atlanta Hawks are battling for those spots. In the West, the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and Houston Rockets are in the mix.
The play-in tournament adds drama to the final weeks of the regular season. Teams that would normally be eliminated are still fighting for a chance at the playoffs, and the intensity of late-season games has increased significantly since the format was introduced.
Key dates
The regular season ends on April 13. The play-in tournament runs April 15-18. The first round of the playoffs begins April 19. The NBA Finals start in early June. Every game from here on out matters.