When do the 2025 NBA playoffs begin?

The NBA Playoffs are one of if not the most exciting, elimination-based events that take place in sports. Throughout history, we have been blessed to witness some gut-wrenching and adrenaline-pumping playoff series finals, such as the Cleveland Cavaliers' 3-1 comeback in the finals against arguably one of the best teams in basketball ever assembled in the form of the 2015 Golden State Warriors. The playoff format can be a bit overwhelming for the new fans, but once you've gotten over the initial learning curve and sunk your teeth into following even a first-round playoff series till its conclusion, you'll be hooked forever.

How do the NBA Playoffs and Play-in Tournaments work?

During the 2025 NBA Playoffs, there will be a total of six games involving eight teams as part of the play-in tournament, split up between the two conferences. The top six teams in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while teams 7 through 10 in the standings will enter the play-in tournament.

While the traditional playoffs include eight teams from each conference, participating in the playoffs. The top six teams in each conference, based on winning percentage, directly qualify for the playoffs; the seeding order of those teams was also based on winning percentage. If two or more teams had the same record, standard NBA tiebreaker rules were used.

Each conference's bracket was fixed with no reseeding. All rounds were a best-of-seven series; a series ended when one team won four games, and that team advanced to the next round. All rounds, including the NBA Finals, were in a 2–2–1–1–1 format with regards to hosting. In the conference playoffs, home-court advantage went to the higher-seeded team (number one being the highest). For the NBA Finals, home-court advantage went to the team with the better regular season record, and, if needed, ties were broken based on head-to-head record, followed by intra-conference record.

2025 NBA Playoffs Standings and Predictions 2025

The 2025 NBA Playoffs and Play-in tournaments starting April 19 are already shaping up to be one of the most exciting playoffs ever, with the defending champs of 2024 Boston Celtics at a 2 seed in the current standings. The seed is only topped by the young Cleveland Cavaliers with an astonishing record of 64 wins in their bag. They also boast not just one but three all-stars in Donovan “Spida” Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley.

While in the Wild West, we have the undeniable favorites to win it all this year, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by their star player and MVP 2025 race leader, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have lost their position at the table to Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves , but Stephen Curry still has a chance to lead his team into playoff contention.

Out of the 8 teams that are in the So-Fi Play-In Tournament this year, the West will see the Dallas Mavericks take on the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the Play-In Tournament. With an injured franchise player in Kyrie Irving, who is out for the remainder of the year due to an ACL tear, and hence is relying on the injury-prone Anthony Davis. The JJ Reddick-coached Lakers clinched the 3rd seed with an impressive win streak, while the season for the Mavericks, ironically, Doncic's last team before LA, is sitting at the 10th spot , waiting to compete and defeat the Sacramento Kings for the 8th and final seed in the West. Warriors are duking it out with the Memphis Grizzlies and the in-form Ja Morant. While in the east, Coby White is faced up against PG Tyler Herro and the Heat for a position 8 seed. Banchero and company at Orlando Magic are tasked to go up against an All-Star Trae"Ice-Tray" Young, but with his right Achilles issue, the Hawks franchise will be keeping him listed as “probable” for now.

What if the playoffs were to happen today?

Current NBA Standings

Cavaliers and Thunder are at the top of their conferences with impressive records, while the addition of Jimmy Butler has brought the Dubs in a last-minute push towards the playoffs. The Purple and Gold of the Los Angeles Lakers are also fan favorites from the West.

Eastern Conference

S.no	Team	Current Record	Playoff Position
1	Cleveland Cavaliers	64-18	Clinched Divison as the No. 1 seed
2	Boston Celtics	61-21	Clinched Division as the No.2 seed
3	New York Knicks	51-31	Clinched playoff position as the No.3 seed
4	Indiana Pacers	50-32	Clinched playoff position as the No. 4 seed
5	Milwaukee Bucks	48-34	Clinched playoff position as the No. 6 seed
6	Detroit Pistons	44-38	Clinched playoff position as the No. 5 seed
7	Orlando Magic	41-41	Currently competing to be the No.7 seed
8	Atlanta Hawks	40-42	Currently competing to be the No.7 seed
9	Chicago Bulls	38-43	Currently competing to be the No.8 seed
10	Miami Heat	37-45	Currently competing to be the No.8 seed

Current NBA standings in the Eastern Conference

Western Conference

S.no	Team	Current Record	Playoff Position
1	Oklahoma City Thunder	68-14	Clinched Conference as No. 1 seed
2	Houston Rockets	52-30	Clinched Division as No. 2 seed
3	Los Angeles Lakers	50-32	Cliched Playoff Position as No. 3 seed
4	Denver Nuggets	50-32	Clinched Playoff Position as No. 4 seed
5	Los Angeles Clippers	50-32	Clinched Playoff Position as No. 5 seed
6	Minnesota Timberwolves	49-33	Cliched Playoff Position as No. 6 seed
7	Golden State Warriors	48-34	Currently competing to be the No.7 seed
8	Memphis Grizzlies	48-34	Currently competing to be the No.7 seed
9	Sacramento Kings	40-42	Currently competing to be the No.8 seed
10	Dallas Mavericks	39-43	Currently competing to be the No.8 seed

Current NBA standings in the Western Conference