It’s finally that time: the NBA post-season is upon us once again. After an exciting regular season, the top 20 teams are one step closer to reaching the pinnacle of post-season basketball success: the NBA Finals.
This guide will give you the information you need to make sure you can keep up with the game, including which teams made the 2025 NBA Playoffs and how to watch the NBA Playoffs live.
Watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs live on DIRECTV!
Who has clinched a 2025 NBA Playoffs spot?
So far, the Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched the top seed in the West. The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers have also clinched spots, and the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies all have at least a 90% chance of making the post-season.
In the Eastern Conference, all six of the guaranteed spots have been spoken for. The Cleveland Cavaliers have clinched the top seed, and the Boston Celtics (last year’s champs), New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons are all in.
2025 NBA Playoffs Picture (as of April 10, 2025)
If the NBA regular season ended right now, this is how the NBA post-season would look, ranked by seed. Teams that will need to compete in the NBA Play-In Tournament for a spot in the bracket are seeded 7-10.
Western Conference Playoff Picture:
- Oklahoma City Thunder (66-14, clinched)
- Houston Rockets (52-28, clinched)
- Los Angeles Lakers (49-31, clinched)
- Denver Nuggets (48-32)
- Los Angeles Clippers (48-32)
- Memphis Grizzlies (47-32)
- Golden State Warriors (47-33)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (46-33)
- Sacramento Kings (39-41)
- Dallas Mavericks (38-42)
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture:
- Cleveland Cavaliers (46-33, clinched)
- Boston Celtics (62-17, clinched)
- New York Knicks (47-32, clinched)
- Indiana Pacers (46-34, clinched)
- Milwaukee Bucks (48-31, clinched)
- Detroit Pistons (43-36, clinched)
- Orlando Magic (40-40)
- Atlanta Hawks (36–43)
- Chicago Bulls (37-42)
- Miami Heat (44-35)
Based on those standings, here’s how the bracket is currently shaping up:
Western Conference:
- (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Play-In Winner
- (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Memphis Grizzlies
- (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers
Eastern Conference:
- (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
- (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
- (4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Which Teams Did Not Make the 2025 Postseason?
So, which unfortunate NBA teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention?
Eliminated Western Conference Teams:
Eliminated Eastern Conference Teams:
Better luck next year!
How can I watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
You can catch all of the excitement live during the 2025 NBA Playoffs on the following networks:
- ABC (find your local ABC affiliate)
- ESPN (channel 206)
- TNT (channel 245)
- NBA TV (channel 216)
And for those fans who don’t have access to NBA TV, now’s the time to change that with DIRECTV. Learn more here.
When do the NBA Playoffs Start?
The 2025 NBA Playoffs will begin after the conclusion of the regular season with the SoFi Play-In Tournament from April 15 to April 18. For more information on how the Play-In Tournament works, check out this Play-In Tournament watch guide.
2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule
But what happens after the Play-In Tournament? And when can you expect to see your team play live, if they make the playoffs? Below, you’ll find all the dates you need catch all the NBA postseason action. And check back here as the playoff picture is solidified and matchups and game times are announced.
- End of regular season: Sunday, April 13
- 2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament: April 15-18
- Conference Semifinals: May 5-6*
- Conference Finals: May 20-21**
- May 20: Western Conference Finals – Game 1 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 21: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 1 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 22: Western Conference Finals – Game 2 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 23: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 2 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 24: Western Conference Finals – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 25: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 3 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 26: Western Conference Finals – Game 4 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 27: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 4 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 28: Western Conference Finals – Game 5 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET***
- May 29: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 5 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET***
- May 30: Western Conference Finals – Game 6 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET***
- May 31: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 6 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET***
- June 1: Western Conference Finals – Game 7 on ESPN, 8 p.m. ET***
- June 2: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 7 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET***
- NBA Finals: June 5-22 (may conclude earlier)
- NBA Finals Game 1: Thursday, June 5
- NBA Finals Game 2: Sunday, June 8
- NBA Finals Game 3: Wednesday, June 11
- NBA Finals Game 4: Friday, June 13
- NBA Finals Game 5: Monday, June 16***
- NBA Finals Game 6: Thursday, June 19***
- NBA Finals Game 7: Sunday, June 22***
*May be moved up based on first round results
**May be moved up based on Conference Semifinal results
*** If necessary
Watch More Basketball with NBA League Pass & DIRECTV
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And if you’re looking for even more NBA action, you can get NBA League Pass through your DIRECTV account, so everything you need for a top-notch basketball experience is in one place.
You don’t need a cable subscription to see your favorite teams hit the court live. Stream basketball games today with DIRECTV.
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