NBA Playoff Picture 2025: All the wild West scenarios for the final day of the regular season
The final day of the NBA regular season is here.
Every team is in action, and with so much to be decided in the Western Conference to determine seeds Nos. 4-7, the NBA is capitalizing on the drama with seven games scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and eight at 3:30 p.m. ET.
The Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves play in the West-centric second window — all with a shot at the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
With so much at stake, here are the landscape, relevant tiebreakers and scenarios for the final slate of the regular season.
Click here for the Eastern Conference.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (67-14)
• Clinched No. 1 seed • First-round opponent: No. 8 seed (DEN, LAC, GSW, MIN, MEM, SAC or DAL)
2. Houston Rockets (52-29)
• Clinched No. 2 seed• First-round opponent: No. 7 seed (DEN, LAC, GSW, MIN or MEM)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (50-31)
• Clinched No. 3 seed• First-round opponent: No. 6 seed (DEN, GSW or MIN)
4. Denver Nuggets (49-32)
• Magic number for top-six seed: 1• Remaining schedule: @HOU• Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed• Lowest possible finish: No. 7 seed• Tiebreakers won: GSW (2-1)
What's at stake: Home-court advantage in first round; avoiding play-in tournament
5. Los Angeles Clippers (49-32)
• Magic number for top-six seed: 1• Remaining schedule: @GSW• Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed• Lowest possible finish: No. 7 seed• Tiebreakers won: GSW (3-0), MEM (3-0)
What's at stake: Home-court advantage in first round; avoiding play-in tournament
6. Golden State Warriors (48-33)
• Magic number for top-six seed: 1• Remaining schedule: LAC• Highest possible finish: No. 6 seed• Lowest possible finish: No. 7 seed• Tiebreakers won: MIN (3-1), MEM (3-1)
What's at stake: Avoiding play-in tournament
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (48-33)
• Magic number for top-six seed: 1 • Remaining schedule: UTA • Highest possible finish: No. 4 seed • Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed • Tiebreakers won: LAC (3-0), DEN (4-0)
What's at stake: Home-court advantage in first round; avoiding play-in tournament
8. Memphis Grizzlies (47-34)
• Magic number for No. 7 seed: Do not control own destiny• Remaining schedule: DAL• Highest possible finish: No. 7 seed • Lowest possible finish: No. 8 seed• Tiebreakers won: MIN (2-1)
What's at stake: Home-court advantage in 7/8 play-in game
9. Sacramento Kings (39-42)
• Magic number for No. 9 seed: 1• Remaining schedule: PHX• Highest possible finish: No. 9 seed• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed• Tiebreakers won: DAL (3-0)
What's at stake: Home-court advantage in 9/10 play-in game vs. DAL
10. Dallas Mavericks (39-42)
• Magic number for No. 9 seed: Do not control own destiny• Remaining schedule: @MEM• Highest possible finish: No. 9 seed• Lowest possible finish: No. 10 seed
What's at stake: Home-court advantage in 9/10 play-in game vs. SAC
Complete Western Conference Playoff and Play-In scenarios for tomorrow's games -- see how the outcome of each game affects seeding ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sC1JzF1Ikk
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 12, 2025
Nuggets at Rockets (3:30 p.m.)DEN is No. 4 seed with a winDEN is No. 5 seed with a loss + MIN lossDEN is No. 6 seed with a loss + LAC win + MIN winDEN is No. 7 seed with a loss + LAC loss + MIN win
Jazz at Timberwolves (3:30 p.m.)MIN is No. 4 seed with a win + DEN loss + LAC lossMIN is No. 5 seed with a win + DEN loss + LAC winMIN is No. 5 seed with a win + DEN win + LAC lossMIN is No. 6 seed with a win + DEN win + LAC winMIN is No. 7 seed with a loss + MEM lossMIN is No. 8 seed with a loss + MEM win
Mavericks at Grizzlies (3:30 p.m.)DAL is No. 9 seed with a win + SAC lossDAL is No. 10 seed with a loss or SAC winMEM is No. 7 seed with a win + MIN lossMEM is No. 8 seed with a loss or MIN win
Suns at Kings (3:30 p.m.)SAC is No. 9 seed with a win or DAL lossSAC is No. 10 seed with a loss + DAL win
Clippers at Warriors (3:30 p.m.)LAC is the No. 4 seed with a win + DEN lossLAC is the No. 4 seed with a loss + DEN loss + MIN lossLAC is the No. 5 seed with a win + DEN win + MIN lossLAC is the No. 5 seed with a loss + DEN loss + MIN winLAC is the No. 7 seed with a loss + DEN win + MIN winGSW is the No. 6 seed with a win or MIN lossGSW is the No. 6 seed with a loss + DEN loss + MIN lossGSW is the No. 7 seed with a loss + MIN win
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (64-17)
• Clinched No. 1 seed• First-round opponent: No. 8 seed (ORL, ATL, CHI or MIA)
2. Boston Celtics (60-21)
• Clinched No. 2 seed• First-round opponent: No. 7 seed (ORL or ATL)
3. New York Knicks (50-31)
• Clinched No. 3 seed• First-round opponent: Pistons
4. Indiana Pacers (49-32)
• Clinched No. 4 seed• First-round opponent: Bucks
5. Milwaukee Bucks (47-34)
• Clinched No. 5 seed• First-round opponent: Pacers
6. Detroit Pistons (44-37)
• Clinched No. 6 seed• First-round opponent: Knicks
7. Orlando Magic (41-40)
• Clinched No. 7 seed• Play-in opponent: Hawks
8. Atlanta Hawks (39-42)
• Clinched No. 8 seed • Play-in opponent: Magic
9. Chicago Bulls (38-43)
• Clinched No. 9 seed • Play-in opponent: Heat
10. Miami Heat (37-44)
• Clinched No. 10 seed • Play-in opponent: Bulls

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sam Reinhart reveals how Panthers stayed composed in Game 3
The post Sam Reinhart reveals how Panthers stayed composed in Game 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers combined for an astonishing 140 penalty minutes in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena. But it was the Western Conference champions who came unraveled, taking 16 penalties totalling 75 minutes in the third period of the 6-1 shellacking. On the other hand, the Panthers kept their composure, allowing the Oilers to take penalties and then making them pay — three of Florida's goals came on the powerplay. 'It's not too difficult,' forward Sam Reinhart told reporters when asked how the team was able to stay composed, especially in the third period. 'You're just trying to finish and close out a game, and that's what we did.' The Panthers built a 4-1 lead midway through the second period and didn't ever give the Oilers a chance to get back into the game. Sergei Bobrovsky was masterful between the pipes, making 32 saves on 33 shots. 'We just went out there, played hockey,' said winger Matthew Tkachuk. 'We were physical when we needed to be, supported pucks. We talked about it in the third. If you have to take a punch, take a punch. If you have to take a cross-check, take a cross-check. Spear, slash in the face, whatever the case is, you've got to take it. 'We spent the whole period on the powerplay and were able to put in a couple insurance goals. When the time was needed to stick up for each other, it was there. We just played a really smart game.' Despite the Panthers taking 55 penalty minutes of their own, neither Reinhart or Tkachuk were penalized at all on Monday night. For the Oilers, Evander Kane racked up 16 penalty minutes, while Darnell Nurse had 19. It was an extremely encouraging performance from a Florida perspective; the Cats looked like the better team from start to finish, and it showed on the scoreboard. By the time the game devolved into chaos in the third period, the contest was already all-but-over. 'We were good today,' said Florida captain Aleksander Barkov, who was held off the scoresheet for the third time in the series. It says a lot that, despite their captain not scoring a single point, the Panthers have been able to pot 14 goals in just three games. That's more than the Oilers gave up throughout the entire Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. The depth is just tremendous, with Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett both making legitimate Conn Smythe Trophy cases with eight goals combined through three games of the Stanley Cup Final. Florida continued to show its playoff mettle on Monday, and it's not at all surprising that the franchise has won 10 postseason series in 11 tries dating back to 2023. This club just looks borderline unbeatable at this time of year. The Panthers will try to put the Oilers in a 3-1 stranglehold when puck drops for Game 4 just past 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday night. Related: Panthers' Paul Maurice jokes about 'name change' after dominant Game 3 victory Related: Panthers' Brad Marchand shouts out 'animal' after monster Game 3 vs. Oilers
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Giannis Antetokounmpo Teases Decision on Blockbuster Trade Amid NBA Rumors
Giannis Antetokounmpo Teases Decision on Blockbuster Trade Amid NBA Rumors originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There have been plenty of NBA rumors suggesting that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo could push for a blockbuster trade this offseason. As this trade chatter continues, Antetokounmpo has been in Brazil celebrating the renovation of public basketball courts, taking in some international football matches and spending time with fans in South America. Advertisement The Bucks star has previously been silent as NBA insiders weigh in on his future in Milwaukee. Antetokounmpo just made his strongest statement yet about his mindset amid trade rumors. The superstar is on a three-year, $175 million contract with the Bucks that is slated to go through the 2027-28 season. Yet, this has not stopped speculation about Antetokounmpo potentially requesting a trade in the coming months. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Ruszkowski-Imagn Images During an interview with Coast to Coast Brazil, Antetokounmpo spoke about wanting to get the Bucks back to the NBA Finals, indicating the star's mind is on remaining in Milwaukee. The original interview was posted in Portuguese and has been translated into English. Advertisement 'There are two great teams that made it there, two great teams," Antetokounmpo explained during the interview posted on Monday. "... Indiana, with my friend Pascal Siakam, is reaping the rewards, and on OKC's side, the MVP is simply there. "I'm rooting for good basketball. That's it. The finals are different, I hope to be back soon with the Bucks.' League insider Marc Stein reported that the Bucks' biggest pitch to Antetokounmpo to stay is reminding him that the path to the NBA Finals is much clearer in the Eastern Conference. "Word is that the Bucks are trying to build a good bit of their case for convincing Antetokounmpo to give them another shot to build a title team around him by loudly reminding him about the current state of the Eastern Conference," Stein detailed on May 26. Related: Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Swaps Giannis Antetokounmpo for Ja Morant This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC in Finals, and the Clippers must be cringing
Paul George (left) was acquired by the Clippers from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right) and five first-round draft picks. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times; Nate Billings / Associated Press) It screamed watershed moment, the forever luckless Clippers outfoxing the eternally exalted Lakers for the services of not one, but two superstars. The news stunned the NBA: In a matter of hours, the Clippers had traded for Paul George and signed Kawhi Leonard. Advertisement Six years later, the deal for George is considered tragically lopsided, the Clippers fleeced and forced to watch assets they surrendered lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to within three wins of an NBA championship. The trade wouldn't be looked upon harshly had the Clippers won a championship in the five seasons that George and Leonard played together. But the deepest the team advanced was the Western Conference finals in 2021. George left as a free agent last offseason, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Leonard has played in only 266 of 472 games with the Clippers because of injuries. The Clippers paid George $195.9 million and have paid Leonard $194.6 million — with Leonard under contract for another two years and $100.3 million. Read more: Plaschke: I'm fighting Parkinson's one punch at a time Advertisement Meanwhile, one of the two players shipped to the Thunder along with five first-round draft picks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has blossomed into the NBA's most valuable player. And the 2022 draft pick acquired from the Clippers was used to select Jalen Williams, a rising star who averaged 21.6 points a game this season. Both are bargains. Gilgeous-Alexander — known as SGA — was paid just $13.5 million his first three seasons with the Thunder before signing a five-year, $173-million contract that will take him through the 2026-27 season. Williams has made $13.7 million in three seasons and will be paid $6.6 million next season, the last of his rookie contract. And it's a deal that just keeps giving — to the Thunder, who as a result of the trade get the Nos. 15 and 24 picks in this year's draft and the Clippers' first-round pick in 2026. Asked to evaluate the deal moments after the Clippers defeated the Thunder in January 2024, George grudgingly acknowledged that the pendulum had swung toward Oklahoma City. Advertisement 'I just think both sides won,' he said. "I did think it was quite a lot that the Clippers were willing to give up. ... When that trade first happened, we knew Shai was going to be really, really good, but he's special." George sighed and continued: "I guess in a way, Oklahoma won that trade with the picks and future MVP, but both sides won.' Read more: Markazi: A behind the scenes look at how the Clippers won Kawhi Leonard and Paul George The fact is, the Clippers couldn't say no to the deal. Why? Because Leonard was a free agent coming off an NBA title with Toronto in which he was Finals MVP, and he was weighing offers from the Lakers and Raptors as well as the Clippers. Advertisement Signing Leonard was paramount, and he had given the Clippers something of an ultimatum: Trade for a star and I'm yours. Otherwise, it's hello Lakers. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer needed to be convinced that giving up the slew of draft picks was a smart move. Leonard signing with the Lakers was an unthinkable outcome to Clippers coach Doc Rivers, and he jokingly told Ballmer the Clippers would need to relocate to Seattle if that happened. 'Steve Ballmer was nervous about the picks,' Rivers told The Times in 2019. 'I said, 'Steve, you keep saying six picks for Paul George is insane, but you're saying it wrong. It's not six for Paul; it's six for Paul and Kawhi. So three for each. I would do that.' You have to look at it in those terms.' Knowing the Clippers desperately needed to consummate the deal, Thunder general manager Sam Presti demanded SGA — who was coming off an impressive rookie campaign — respected forward Danilo Gallinari and the draft picks. Advertisement Unforeseen was that SGA would rapidly rise from promising youngster to foundational piece to perhaps the best player in the NBA. He led the league in scoring this season with 32.7 points a game. He put up 34 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder's win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Finals on Sunday. In Game 1, a stunning Pacers comeback was helped by two late missed shots by SGA. Still, he scored 38 points, and his 72 in his first two NBA Finals games is a league record. Read more: Trouble finds ex-NBA star Shawn Kemp once again, and he may serve time for it 'I'm being myself,' Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters. 'I don't think I tried to reinvent the wheel or step up to the plate with a different mindset. Just try to attack the game the right way. I think I've done a pretty good job of that so far." Advertisement Through 18 playoff games, SGA is averaging 30.4 points, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals. Only Michael Jordan and LeBron James have recorded those numbers during a playoff run of 16 or more games. None of this is a complete surprise. SGA provided the Clippers with opportunities to feel seller's remorse soon after the trade. On Dec. 22, 2019, he scored 32 points with five assists and two steals in a 118–112 Thunder victory. Two years later almost to the day, he made a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Thunder a 104–103 win. Next is closing out the Finals and delivering a title to Oklahoma City — something that has proven elusive for the Clippers, the oldest franchise in North American professional sports to have never played in a championship game. "This is where we are, you can't go back in the past," SGA said. "You can only make the future better. That's what I'm focused on.' Advertisement The Clippers can only do the same. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.