After falling to the Dallas Mavericks in overtime on Sunday, the Houston Rockets were eliminated from playoff contention, and the 20 NBA teams that will advance to the postseason were set.
2024 NBA Playoffs — All 20 Teams Clinch Postseason Berths
Western Conference Playoff Picture
In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves (54-24), Denver Nuggets (54-24), and Oklahoma City Thunder (53-25) have clinched playoff berths as the top three seeds. The Timberwolves have a tiebreaker over the Nuggets after winning the season series 2-1. They also hold the division tiebreaker, going 12-3 in the Northwest while the Nuggets have gone 8-6.
Behind Minnesota, Denver, and Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Clippers (50-28) are the only other team out West to have already won 50 games. The Mavericks (48-30), Phoenix Suns (46-32), and New Orleans Pelicans (46-32) could also become 50+ win teams. With an 0-2 record against the Suns, the Pelicans have to win out to land a top-six seed.
The Sacramento Kings (45-33) are the eighth seed. Behind them are the Los Angeles Lakers (45-34) and Golden State Warriors (43-35). The Lakers and Warriors may have the two biggest stars in the league in LeBron James and Stephen Curry. However, they’re currently bound for the Play-In Tournament.
The Kings, Lakers, and Warriors can move up as high as sixth in the Western Conference.
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture
In the East, the Boston Celtics (62-16) and Milwaukee Bucks (47-31) are the only teams that have clinched a playoff berth. As the only team in the NBA to win at least 60 games this season, the Celtics also have the league’s best record. As a result, they’ll have home-court advantage throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
This season, Boston is 35-3 at home.
Behind the Bucks are four teams that can still leapfrog them in the standings: the Orlando Magic (46-32), New York Knicks (46-32), Cleveland Cavaliers (46-33), and Indiana Pacers (45-34).
Notably, Milwaukee has lost six of its last seven games. After going 30-13 under first-year head coach Adrian Griffin, the Bucks are now 15-17 under Doc Rivers. The Cavs have lost four of their last five games, as star Donovan Mitchell continues to contend with a knee injury. The Knicks have lost four of their last six games, as they attempt to overcome injuries to Julius Randle and OG Anunoby.
Meanwhile, the Magic and Pacers have won four of their last five games. With momentum on their side, they could earn home-court advantage for the majority of the playoffs. Orlando is 28-12 at home this season. Indiana is 25-15.
The Philadelphia 76ers (44-35) and Miami Heat (43-35) are seventh and eighth in the East. Both teams have clinched playoff berths. Both teams can climb up to third in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Chicago Bulls (37-41) and Atlanta Hawks (36-42) are bound for the Play-In Tournament.
