Just like that, the 2024-2025 NBA regular season is over. With 82 games in the books, 10 teams have been sent home for the summer, while 12 teams have locked a guaranteed playoff spot. The remaining 8 teams have to fight for a play-in spot that will determine the 7th and 8th seeds in both conferences.
Overall, it has been a fun-filled season. With talks about the ratings being down, we are hoping for a juicy playoff story and to find out who will come out on top in the final playoff game of the season. Could the Boston Celtics repeat as champions? Or will it be another squad? Can Luka Donicic and LeBron carry the Lakers to the finals? How about the Oklahoma City Thunder and the dominant season they had?
How about the MVP race? The MVP race has been the tightest it has been in many years. Either guard Shai Gillgious-Alexander, the guard of the Thunder, or Nikola Jokic, the 3x MVP who became the 3rd player in NBA history to average a triple-double.
Stay tuned, and let’s dive into the article!
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 68-14
- Season Grade: A
- Matchup: Winner of the 8th/9th Matchup
Overview: Ladies and Gentlemen. This team has been one of the best teams we have seen in NBA history. In fact, according to Stat Muse, the Thunder has posted the 2nd best net rating of all time. This has been a squad that has been talked about being the future for quite some time. However, they are not just the future. They are the present too. Oklahoma City has the likely MVP in Shai-Gillgious Alexander and one of the five youngest rosters in the NBA.
How They Got Here: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and MVP season, along with a historically great defense. The Thunder are ranked #1 in defensive efficiency, # 1 in steals, #1 in blocks, and #1 in opponent field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. Let’s also not forget about the rise of Jalen Williams, who just made his all-star appearance, along with pieces in Alex Caruso and Issiah Harnenstein fitting in seamlessly. The Thunder has been elite by most defensive metrics, especially on the perimeter, and even their rebounding went from bottom 5 to the middle of the pack of the league.
Outlook: They are the favorite to win it all, despite their age. Yes, this team is still one of the youngest rosters and lacks playoff experience. Let’s not forget how tough the Western Conference currently is. However, it is tough to find a real weakness on this team. A concern could be who will step up as another scoring option in a high-stakes series other than Shai? Can the Thunder avoid complacency? Remember a Warriors squad that went 73-9 but looked vulnerable in the postseason and ended up losing in the finals? The Thunder are the favorite, but the job’s not finished, as the late, great Kobe Bryant used to say.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers 64-18
- Season Grade: A
- Matchup: Winner of the 8th/9th Game
Overview: The Cavalier’s season has been remarkable in all aspects. It was the first 60 season in 15 seasons, which was LeBron’s last season of his first stint in Cleveland. In Kenny Atkinson’s first year as head coach, Cleveland went from just a regular playoff contender to now an elite team and one of the contenders for the title. Could the Cavaliers win their first title or at least get to their first NBA finals in the post-LeBron era?
How They Got Here: An electrifying offense. The Cavaliers went from being a middle-of-the-pack team offensively to being the best team, and it wasn’t relatively close. The Cavs can run the floor, shoot the 3 exceptionally well, and score at a rapid pace. If Kenny Atkinson has a case for the Coach of the Year, it would be mainly because of reforming the offensive schemes and getting home-court advantage throughout the East. The Cavaliers were fortunate to have 3 All-Stars representing them and had one of the highest scoring backcourts. Let’s not forget that the Cavs were also a top 10 defensively. This team has a legitimate chance at winning it all.
Outlook: This team is the real deal. Anything short of the Eastern Conference Finals would be a disappointment for Cleveland. The big question and challenge for this team is do they have enough to defeat the Celtics. The Cavaliers- Celtics are 2-2 in the season series, and the Cavs have the interior presence that matches up well against Boston. However, could the undersized backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovon Mitchell be a weakness against a lethal Celtics perimeter defense? This will be the real test for Cleveland.
3. Boston Celtics 61-21
- Season Grade: B+
- Matchup: Winner of 7th/8th Matchup
Overview: It appears that the B+ was fair for the Celtics. A team that had moments of weakness and complacency. Yet again, still managed to win 61 games. This team is still elite in many metrics, and they were dealing with injuries throughout the season, especially with Kristaps Porzingis. Still, however, they are the defending champs and are one of the favorites to repeat for the first time since the 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors.
How They Got Here: The Celtics are the defending champs and still elite. Even when it felt like a season where they were on cruise control, Boston was still able to be dominant. The Celtics were top 5 in offense and defensive efficiency, along with net rating. What was a positive from this season as well was Al Horford still being an effective player in Year 18 and Payton Pritchard improving into a 6th man of the Year candidate.
Outlook: No question, the Celtics are one of the favorites to repeat as champions. This team has the playoff experience and the X factor between them, and repeating will be two separate things. The first one will be how well their 3 point shot falls. This past season, no one has taken more 3s than the Celtics, and it wasn’t close. The second X-factor will be Jaylen Brown’s health who has struggled with knee issues, especially later in the season. Boston should be able to win a playoff series or two with just Jayson Tatum but will need both Jay’s to get through a series vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers and especially repeat.
4. Los Angeles Lakers 50-32
- Season Grade: A-
- Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves
Overview: Vibes are well here in Lakerland. The Lakers achieved their first 50-win season since their title in 2020 and will have home-court advantage in the 1st round of the postseason. Fun fact. For the first time since 2012, the Lakers have home-court advantage in a postseason series. The big highlights of the year were Bronny James and LeBron James making history as the first Father-Son duo to take the court. The second one was the trade to acquire a 25-year-old superstar in Luka Doncic. Since then, the Lakers title odds have increased significantly in the past couple of months.
How They Got Here: The Lakers’ basic numbers aren’t that much different compared to last year, but for some reason, this feels different for Laker fans. Perhaps it was the change in coaching with JJ Reddick, who has appeared to have a very bright future as a head coach. Or could it be that the Lakers found their heir successor once LeBron retires in Luka Doncic? Whatever the case may be, there might be another deep playoff run in store for Los Angeles.
Outlook: It will be very hard to count out the Lakers. The Lakers have two superstars with elite basketball IQs who have playoff experience and know how to control the game and playmake. You can even mention that Austin Reaves is a third player who can create his offense and does it at a very high level. When you have three guys who can do that and perform well in crunch time, it will be very hard to beat them.
The Lakers do have a couple of Achilles’ Heels. They are ranked 26th in rebounding and are ranked 25th in opponents’ points off the fastbreak. Still, as the 3rd seed, the Lakers have a clear path to make the Western Conference Finals at a bare minimum.
5. Los Angeles Clippers 50-32
- Season Grade: A-
- Matchup: vs. Denver Nuggets
Overview: I don’t know how the Clippers and Tyron Lue do it. It seems like every season, they are written off to an extent, and somehow, the Clippers find a way to stay relevant. The other LA team, who now plays in the new shiny arena in Inglewood, goes into the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. What’s even better is that their two stars Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are playing their best basketball of the season going into the playoffs.
How They Got Here: Defense and their stars getting hot at the right time. The Clippers finished the regular season ranked #3 in defensive efficiency, and what drove their defense was the ability to get steals. The Clippers were the 3rd best team in total steals, and the driver behind that was Kris Dunn. The Clippers were also a top 5 team in defending the 3-point line. Earlier in the season, Norman Powell looked like the #1 scoring option while James Harden was the primary playmaker and Kawhi Leonard was coming back from injury. Since March 1, both Kawhi and Harden have been having their best months, with each averaging over 25 points within that time frame.
Outlook: This team, as currently constructed, could be a sleeper to win the West. They have closers. They have size. They have defense and can control the pace. They have a champion head coach. However, there are a couple of big question marks. Can Kawhi Leonard stay healthy? Can James Harden step up while the stakes are at their highest? Those will be the two factors that will determine how far LA can go. Simple as that.
6. New York Knicks 51-31
- Season Grade: B
- Matchup: Detroit Pistons
Overview: The Knicks followed up last season by finishing where they started. However, this time, this team feels completely different from a Tom Thibodeau team. Usually, Thib’s teams have a grit-and-grind culture and are a top team defensively. However, this year, with the acquisitions of Karl Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, the team’s offensive and defensive metrics have reversed. The Knicks finished the season with the 5th best offense and just 16th in defense and were ranked closer to the bottom of many defensive metrics.
How They Got Here: The Knicks have one of the best starting lineups in the NBA, and this might be their most talented roster of this century. The Knicks have two superstars who can average 25 points a night, along with three 3 and D guys in Mikael Bridges, OG Annouby, and Josh Hart. However, the Knicks bench has been a problem for this squad all year, as they ranked dead last in bench points. Let’s not forget that despite the defense improving throughout the year, New York ranked 25th and 26th in both overall field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage.
Outlook: I wouldn’t bet too much stock on the Knicks having a deep run. All season long, New York has been able to beat teams that they are supposed to. However, they have are 0-8 against the top 2 teams in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Even the Detroit Pistons could be a tough matchup for the Knicks due to their size and physicality, along with their defense. Detroit is a team that likes to run and is a top 10 defensive efficiency, which is the exact opposite of what the Knicks are.
Also, if KAT or Jalen Brunson find themselves in foul trouble or is injured, then New York could be heading home early. Not picking an upset; I am still confident in the Knicks to beat Detroit because they have two of the best players in the series. However, their season won’t get past the second round because the Celtics are an even worse matchup for this Knicks squad.
7. Houston Rockets 52-30
- Season Grade: A
- Matchup: vs. 7th/8th Winner (Golden State or Memphis)
Overview: What a turnaround the Houston Rockets have had. After being a bottom feeder for a few years, the Rockets nearly made the play-in last year, to now being the 2nd seed in the conference. It will be the first time since 2020 that the Houston Rockets will be in the postseason. What is even more impressive is how young this Rockets team is and the job head coach Ime Udoka has done to get the most out of this young core. This team feels like last year’s Oklahoma City Thunder squad.
How They Got Here: Despite their age, Houston proved to be an exceptional basketball squad. Where the Rockets excel mostly is on the defensive side. This team finished the regular season 4th in defensive efficiency and was the best rebounding team in the league. Houston, who struggled consistently on offense last year, improved from 21st to 12th in offensive efficiency. Also, it was great to see some of their young players take a step forward, particularly Amen Thompson, who was looking like a double-double machine, and Alphren Segun, who made his 1st all-star appearance.
Outlook: Despite the successful season the Rockets had, they look like a team that could lose in the first round. The lack of playoff experience and struggles on offense could really hurt them against more experienced teams. Who will be their go-to scorer? Fred Van Vleet or Jalen Green? Can Jalen Green prove that he can be more efficient? If the Rockets match up with the Grizzlies, then it could be an easier series. Houston will need to crash the boards and slow down the pace if they want a chance at a run in the postseason.
8. Golden State Warriors 49-33
- Season Grade: B+
- Matchup: 7th/8th Playoff Game: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Overview: It has been quite a roller coaster for the Warriors. Golden State started 12-3 and then was .500 at the trade deadline to finish off the regular season 24-9. Their biggest acquisition was Jimmy Buter from Miami, which gave Golden State another star who has elevated their defense to being the best since the trade deadline. The Warriors are looking to win their 5th title in 11 seasons with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr. However, they must beat Memphis to secure the 7th spot.
How They Got Here: The Warriors finally picked a direction. The direction is to continue to go all in to contend for an NBA title. With Jimmy Butler, the Warriors have another go-to scorer who can defend, facilitate, and be effective without the ball. Also, let’s not forget that Butler elevates his play come playoff time. Golden State was able to keep some of their young players, which proven to be some of the best role players in the NBA today. Golden State is a relatively deep team ranked #3 in total bench points
Outlook: Don’t be fooled by the seed. Golden State is indeed one of the more dangerous teams in the NBA currently and could be a dark-horse contender to win the West. This team should have no problem getting out of the play-in, and I believe they are the favorites out of the lower seeds to pull off an upset. However, they must win on Tuesday for Memphis.
Getting the 8th seed and playing OKC gives them a much harder and losing twice and missing the playoffs entirely would be catastrophic. With their playoff experience, ability to defend, and having the greatest shooter that the league has ever seen, don’t be surprised that the Warriors have another deep playoff run in them.
9. Indiana Pacers 50-32
- Season Grade: B
- Matchup: vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Overview: What initially looked like a one-hit wonder after a 10-15 start now appears that the Indiana Pacers are knocking on the door to be a darkhorse contender in the East. This is the first 50 win season the Pacers have had since the 2013-2014 season. After a slow start to the season, Tyrese Halliburton was able to recapture some of last season’s In-Season Tournament mojo, where he looked like an All-NBA point guard in the league. Could they capture another deep playoff run?
How They Got Here: The Pacers initially struggled to find the spark that made them a historically great offensive team last season. Nevertheless, Indy was still able to finish 7th in offensive efficiency. The Pacers push the ball, can score in bunches, and are a very well-balanced team offensively, with 7 players averaging more than 10 points a night. Also, Indiana was able to make a significant jump defensively, where they went from 24th in defensive efficiency to 7th. A lot of the improvement happened because Indiana ranked second in fewest fastbreak points. It is safe to say that this team is a better version than last year’s.
Outlook: As much as I believe the Pacers are a better team than last year’s, it is also hard to believe that the Pacers can get back to the Eastern Conference finals. If the Pacers were able to beat the Bucks in the first round, Indy would have to face a high-powered offense in the Cleveland Cavaliers. And it is not a good matchup for the Pacers.
Indiana ranked 26th in opponents’ points in the paint, which shows the interior defense as a weakness. Cleveland, on the other hand, has the highest field goal percentage, specifically in the paint. Sometimes you might be a better team, but sometimes you don’t go as far because of matchups or breaks that don’t go your way.
10. Denver Nuggets 50-32
- Season Grade: B
- Matchup: Los Angeles Clippers
Overview: This has been a down year for the Nuggets overall as a squad. However, if Nikola Jokic hasn’t proven before that he is the best player in the NBA, then this season shall end the doubt. Jokic has carried Denver on his back by becoming the 3rd player in NBA history to average a triple-double in a season. Of course, there has been some doubt about the Nuggets based on how they have played in recent weeks and the shocking firing of head coach Mike Malone.
How They Got Here: This year has been a one-man wrecking crew of Nikola Jokic. Without Jokic, this would, hands down, be a lottery team. The offense has still been sharp and effective as Denver is currently ranked #5 in offensive efficiency. The defense, however, has been an issue as they ranked 22nd in efficiency overall. The bench overall has been a weakness for Denver as they ranked 27th in total points, which explains why Denver has been with Jokic off the floor and mediocre when missing Jamal Murray.
Outlook: The outlook doesn’t look good now. However, when a team has the best player in the league on its roster, then there is always a chance to win. The firing of a coach and GM this deep into the season couldn’t be any worse, especially since it shows volatility in the organization. That said, the X-factor will be Jamal Murray. If healthy and can hit big shots, Denver will always be a contender in the West. If not, don’t be surprised if Denver fails to get past the first round, especially against a Clipper that has been one of the hottest in the past couple of months and has one of the best defenses in the NBA.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves 49-33
- Season Grade: B-
- Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers
Overview: The Minnesota Timberwolves, after reaching their second-ever conference finals, decided to make last last off-season move by trading Karl Anthony Towns for Julius Randle. This was firmly a financial move, but there were questions about how it would fit on the basketball court. Initially, those concerns were justifiable. However, Minnesota was turn it around in the second half of the season and avoid the play-in altogether.
How They Got Here: Initially, Minnesota struggled. The team last year was the hands down the number one defensive team and were a nightmare in the paint with their big bodies of Rudy Gobert and Karl Anthony Towns. However, Minnesota was able to rebound and not quite be the defensive juggernaut they once were but finished the league in 6th in defensive efficiency and 8th in offensive efficiency. The area was Minnesota struggled was in the clutch. The Timberwolves were 24th in clutch-winning percentage, and they had one of the worst defenses in crunch time.
Outlook: It was a relief to get out of the play-in tournament, and the path in the Western Conference feels like the Wild West. The Timberwolves could return to the WCF, but they will have to face the Lakers, who now have the player that took them out last year in Luka Doncic. The question will be is who will be the consistent scoring option after superstar Anthony Edwards? Julius Randle is a talent-star-level player but has struggled consistently in the postseason.
If Randle can’t step up in the playoffs, then it will be hard to see Minnesota get out of the first round. Minnesota has the size to pound the boards against a smaller Lakers squad. It will be a tough matchup for the Wolves as they will go up against a Lakers team that has two of the best players at creating offense.
12. Milwaukee Bucks 48-34
- Season Grade: C-
- Matchup: Indiana Pacers
Overview: After Year 2 of the Giannis-Damian Lillard tandem, it is becoming clear what they are. That is a team whose title chances are fading very fast. The Bucks did manage to overcome a 2-8 to win the NBA Cup. This season was also highlighted by Milwaukee trading Khris Middleton, a player who has spent his entire career with Milwaukee, for Kyle Kuzma, who has had his worst season in over 5 seasons. The Bucks will be waiting to see if Damian Lillard will return in the postseason after suffering a blood clot.
How They Got Here: As mentioned in the overview, the Bucks struggled with inconsistency. Luckily, Milwaukee still has one of the best players in the NBA in Giannis Antetokounmo, who can take over the game on any given night. Milwaukee, for the most part, has been a middle-of-the-pack team. However, the Bucks are currently a top 5 team in 3-point percentage all season and are a team that is in the top 3 in defensive rebounds.
Outlook: There is an X factor here. Giannis Antetokounmo is going to step up and do his thing. However, how about the others? Will Damian Lillard be ready to go come playoff time? If he can suit up, Milwaukee has another guy who can easily put up 25 points and close out games. With Dame Time, the Bucks can be a dark-horse contender in the Eastern Conference. Without him, it will be very likely that the Bucks will fail to get out of the first round for the third consecutive year.
13. Detroit Pistons 44-38
- Season Grade: A
- Matchup: New York Knicks
Overview: Detroit Basketball is back! The Pistons have been one of the best storylines all season, as they have won 30 more games than they did all last year. Not only that, but the Pistons have returned to the postseason for the first time in 6 seasons and 3rd time in 10 years. Detroit is hoping to win its first playoff game since May 2008.
How They Got Here: Oh, where to begin. What a turnaround. There were plenty of reasons why the turnaround for Detroit was so significant. The first one was due to the improvement on the defensive end. Detroit went from 26th in defensive efficiency last year to 9th this season. Another reason was due to the emergence of Cade Cunningham, who finally broke out and became an All-Star for the first time in his career.
The Pistons’ free agent signings also stepped up in a big way, and finally, the coaching of JB Bickerstaff, who should be in strong consideration for Coach of the Year. Nevertheless, it was amazing to see the Pistons turn it around after many years of irrelevancy.
Outlook: No matter what happens, this season was an absolute success. Nevertheless, the Knicks are a heavied powered team offensively and a star loaded. The Pistons should be able to get their first postseason win in nearly 17 years. The Pistons have the size and depth to compete with the Knicks, and Detroit has the advantage on the boards.
If the Pistons can use their size to frustrate Karl Anthony Towns and force the Knicks’ lack of depth to be exposed, then Detroit could give New York a series. It will be hard to shut down Jalen Brunson, but it’s about shutting down the rest of the team. Still, I believe the Knicks will win the series simply because of playoff experience, and they have 2 of the best players in the series.
14. Memphis Grizzlies 48-34
- Season Grade: B
- Matchup: 7th/8th Game @ Golden State Warriors
Overview: The Grizzles are back in playoff contention after missing the entire postseason completely. However, don’t let that sound like peaches and cream. After a solid start to the campaign, Memphis has completely fallen back to Earth. After a 32-16 start, the Grizzlies finished the season at 16-18. Ja Morant has once again been in the press for the wrong reasons, and Memphis fired head coach Taylor Jenkins just two weeks before the postseason.
How They Got Here: The Grizzlies, for most of the season, were a top 5 team in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They boast the best bench in the NBA and have a net rating of a top 7 team. Jaren Jackson Jr also became an All-Star again.
However, since the trade deadline, the Grizzlies have regressed in those categories, especially on the defensive end, which has led to the firing of their head coach. The Grizzlies were one of the worst teams in the NBA at taking care of the ball, as they ranked 28th in both turnovers and opponents’ points on turnovers. This will be an issue for Memphis if they are serious about making a deep playoff run.
Outlook: The outlook is not good. Firing a head coach this late into the season shows that the team is in disarray, and it takes time for a new coach to figure out schemes with the current roster. Memphis won’t have a problem getting into the postseason as an 8th seed.
However, they are going up against a rejuvenated Warriors team that has the greatest shooter of all time on their team and the top defensive team in the NBA since the trade deadline. Also, the Thunder are a horrible matchup for Memphis because Oklahoma City thrives on the defensive end and leads the league in steals as Memphis is prone to turnovers. The Thunder are 4-0 against the Grizzlies this year, and this could be a sweep.
15. Orlando Magic 41-41
- Season Grade: C
- Matchip: 7th/8th Game vs. Atlanta Hawks
Overview: This, unfortunately, was a setback season for the Magic. A lot of it had to do with injuries and offensive shortcomings. Fortunately, Orlando won their division by only being a .500 team due to the weakness of the Southeast Division. Both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner missed significant time, and the team dealt with season-ending injuries to both Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner. Also, their top free agent, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, had a down year from a shooting perspective. Now, they will have home court for the 7th/8th game to get into the postseason.
How They Got Here: The Magic had two completely different tales when it comes to the sides of basketball. Defensively, the Magic were one of the elite teams in nearly every metric. They were 2nd in forced turnovers, 1st in points allowed, and top 3 in defensive efficiency. Yet, offensively, Orlando was one of the worst teams in the NBA across the board.
The team struggled to shoot the ball; they ranked dead last in assists and were dead last in 3-point shooting, which is going to be an issue in the postseason, where hitting those 3s will be crucial. Orlando also had health issues, with both Franz and Paolo missing extended time, but both had career years despite a down year from Paolo Banchero from an efficiency standpoint.
Outlook: I do like Orando’s chances to win in a play-in game on their home floor. If Orlando can shut down the perimeter and control the pace, then the Magic should be the favorite to win. The Hawks are a team that plays fast, but they are known to be unpredictable. The X-factor will be if Orlando can be at least average offensively and if they can contain Trae Young.
Losing Jalen Suggs has affected the morale of this team, but Orlando should be able to grind this one out at home. After the play in the game, Orlando’s season should end pretty quickly in the 1st round. This team is too limited offensively to make any serious noise, whether they go up against Boston or Cleveland.
16. Atlanta Hawks 40-42
- Season Grade: C+
- 7th/8th Game @ Orlando Magic
Overview: This a team that once again will be in the play-in tournament for the 4th consecutive season. Despite that, the Hawks have an extremely talented young core. Last year’s breakout prospect was Jalen Johnson, whose season was cut short due to a torn labrum. This year, the breakout prospect belonged to Dyson Daniels, who has looked like a candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Also, #1 pick Zacharie Risacher has had some big games and has made improvements throughout the season.
How They Got Here: You have to give credit to the Hawks’ front office. They have made some shrewd moves and have some excellent draft selections in the past couple of years. The injury to Jalen Johnson set them back, and Trae Young had a down year from an efficiency standpoint. The Hawks are a team that loves to move the ball around as they rank #2 in total assists and a top 3 in pace. However, the Hawks are just average in both offensive and defensive efficiency, which is ironic because the Hawks are in the top half of total points and are bottom 3 in opponent field goal % and opponent 3% field goal percentage.
Outlook: This one is tricky. In the 7th/8th game, the Hawks go up against an Orlando Magic team that defends well but is a bottom team in nearly every offensive metric. This team can easily get the 7th seed if the Hawks can get a big game from Trae Young and if they can at least have an average defense.
Again, the Hawks are also known for their inconsistency and could drop two consecutive games and miss the playoffs entirely. One thing is certain that the Hawks’ ceiling is a first-round exit to the Celtics or Cavaliers. Atlanta has the length and size, especially on the perimeter, to give the Celtics a bit of a challenge, but the Celtics have the star power, experience, and the ability to slow the game down. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, the offense is too explosive for Atlanta to handle consistently.
17. Chicago Bulls 39-43
- Season Grade: B-
- Matchup: 9th/10th Game vs. Miami Heat
Overview: I know I have been a firm believer that the Bulls should trade their players and find a way to improve their draft position in the lottery. Yet, Chicago finds a way to be in the play-in tournament. Again. The Bulls kind of started the tear-down process by trading Zach Lavine. They still have Nikola Vucevic, but he could be someone that is dealt this summer. However, since the deadline, the Bulls have been a really fun and exciting team to watch, and they have some good young pieces on their roster. They have posted a 17-12 since the deadline to close out the regular season.
How They Got Here: It would have been more frustrating to see the wins come from their veterans like Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucevic. However, a lot of their wins came from their young core. They play fast, push the pace, and love to move the ball, which Chicago ranked 5th in total assists. A lot of their young core has made significant improvements in the past couple of months.
For example, Coby White has averaged over 26 points a night on nearly 50% shooting, Josh Giddey has averaged nearly a triple-double, and rookie Matas Buzelis improved his play on a month-to-month basis and is in the talk of being on an All-Rookie Team. Overall, the Baby Bulls have made progress this year, which resulted in a surprising finish to the season.
Outlook: With the way the regular season ended for Chicago, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them snag two wins to get a final seed in the postseason. Going up against the Miami Heat could be a tough matchup for this young squad as the Heat have playoff experience and can slow the pace of the game down. With these being as young as they are, it is hard to see them snatching an important win against 3 more experienced teams. Even if the Bulls got the 8th seed, it would be a quick series vs. the 64-win Cavaliers.
18. Sacramento Kings 40-42
- Season Grade: D
- Matchup: 9th/10th Game vs. Dallas Mavericks
Overview: 2 years ago, when most people thought the days of dysfunction from the Kings would be over. Well, they were mistaken. Once again, the Kings will clinch a losing record and will be back in the play-in. A lot of this dysfunction came from firing Mike Brown, the head coach who helped Sacramento end their 16-year playoff drought.
Then, less than 2 months later, the Kings dealt De’Aaron Fox and got back Zach Lavine, who was DeMar DeRozan’s teammate in Chicago. Let’s not forget that DeMar DeRozan has been a questionable fit for Sacramento this season. What made Sacramento’s playoff run special was their fast-paced offense and how they can destroy teams on the fastbreak. In the past 2 years, they have regressed offensively, and the Kings took a step back defensively from last year.
How They Got Here: Sacramento has made some questionable decisions. To be honest, they should have kept the roster the same as last year. If it weren’t for Malik Monk getting injured late last year, Sacramento would have likely made the postseason for two consecutive years. The fit of DeMar DeRozan was questionable from the beginning because of his playstyle, which favors isoball versus Sacramento’s strength was speed and running the fast break.
Then there was the firing of their head coach in Mike Brown, and trading their franchise point guard, De’Aaron Fox, for Zach Lavine. The results from Lavine and DeRozan resulted in one playoff appearance and two play-in tournament appearances. Sacramento made a trade for DeRozan, which was going to need time to gel, and they made a couple of drastic moves, which would result in regression.
Outlook: Like the Dallas Mavericks, the Kings may win a play-in game, but their season will likely be done by the end of the week. The difference between the 8th and 9th teams in the West is pretty significant. If the Kings get a big game from Lavine or DeRozan, the Kings could beat Dallas. However, the Kings have two drastic Achilles’ Heels. The first one is their pretty poor bench, which ranked 29th in total points all year. The second is their inability to defend the 3, which Sacramento ranked dead last. If Klay Thompson has a hot game, it could be over on Tuesday.
19. Miami Heat 37-45
- Season Grade: D
- Matchup: 9th/10th game @ Chicago Bulls
Overview: The Miami Heat will have their first losing season in over 6 years, and that was the season before Jimmy Butler arrived. It was a down year as the Heat ended up trading Butler, which turned out to be an ugly split, and the Heat, before a late-season surge, looked like a team in freefall. This team struggled in the clutch as they ranked 28th in winning percentage and took a step back defensively, going from 5th in defensive efficiency to 12th this season. The good news, though, it saw Tyler Herro have a career year, which resulted in a first all-star appearance.
How They Got Here: From the beginning, Miami was going to be a play-in team to a fringe playoff team. The Heat have always relied on Heat Culture and experienced head coaching from Erik Spolestra to make them relevant, no matter how much talent they had on the roster. However, Miami barely got into the play-in tournament as the 10th seed due to winning 6 straight and 8 of their last 11 following up from a 9-game losing streak.
Two of their 8 latest wins were against quality teams such as the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. In the past 5 years, Miami has always been a team that has overachieved in the postseason and was a team built for the postseason.
Outlook: Despite the resume of the Heat, without Jimmy Butler, this is the weakest Heat since the post-Heatles era. Miami is still a team that can get hot from 3, and the team played at the slowest pace in the NBA, which is perfect for playoff basketball since the game slows down come playoff time.
As far as playoff ceiling, I wouldn’t be surprised if Miami won both road games to snag the final seed. Both Chicago and Atlanta are young teams that play fast-paced basketball, and if Miami can shoot well from the field and slow the pace down, it would be hard to bet against them due to their experience. If Miami gets into the postseason as an 8th seed, they would face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who would be a better matchup for Miami. However, the Heat don’t have the horses to compete with the Cavs, which means their season will end come late April.
20. Dallas Mavericks 39-43
- Seaon Grade: F
- 9th/10th Matchup: @ Sacramento Kings
Overview: Who would have thought in preseason that the Mavericks would have traded Luka Doncic? Probably close to no one. The Mavericks were coming off a fresh NBA finals appearance and looked like a team that would be in title contention for years to come. That all changed on a random Saturday night in February when the Mavericks decided to trade their 25-year-old superstar for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick.
Since then, it has been a nightmare for Dallas fans. There have been a massacre of injuries, “Fire Nico” chants, and people are already comparing this trade to the Babe Ruth trade from over a century ago. The question will be if the Dallas Mavericks can recover from this trade and, if so, when.
How They Got Here: The NBA added the play-in tournament and the Phoenix Suns falling apart at the same time. Honestly, the Mavericks would have been better off missing the play-in altogether. The injuries were to the point where the Mavericks may have had to forfeit games. Nico Harrison justifies his reasoning for trading their former superstar as due to improving their defense. Yet, their defense has ranked 24th since the All-Star break. Yes, the Mavericks are barely in the playoffs due to injuries and a trade that destroyed the morale of Dallas, Texas.
Outlook: The Mavericks’ season will be over by the end of the week. Sure, it would be nice to have a Cinderella-like story, and they get into the postseason and somehow make a deep run. However, this is no fairy tale. They may beat the Kings in the 9th/10th matchup depending on if Klay Thompson and Anthony Davis are healthy enough to have big games and if Jason Kidd can outcoach rookie head coach Doug Christie.
Dallas can also capitalize on Sacramento’s inability to defend the 3, in which they ranked dead last in opponent 3%. Maybe Klay a bounce back after last year’s 0-10 game against Sacramento in the play-in. If Dallas had not lost Kyrie Irving to a season-ending injury, then Dallas might have had enough to get the 8th seed, but unfortunately, the Mavericks’ ceiling is a play-in win.
Better Luck Next Season
21. Portland Trail Blazers 36-46
- Season Grade: A-
Season Recap: Usually, it doesn’t make sense to give a team that didn’t make the playoffs a high grade, but in this case, Portland deserves the mark. Going into the season, many expected the Blazers to be the undisputed worst team in the West and possibly the entire league. The Blazers were practically a .500 team in 2025, and their defense has been top 10 in defensive efficiency since the calendar year changed, which are significant improvements. Let’s not forget the improvement of their young core of guys like Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and more.
22. San Antonio Spurs 34-48
- Season Grade: B-
Season Recap: I had to give the Spurs a fair grade despite the ending result. Yes, the Spurs failed to make the play-in, but San Antonio also lost 21-year-old superstar Victor Wembyama to a season-ending injury. Nevertheless, with Wemby returning, along with the rise of Stephon Castle and a full season of De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs should be the favorite out of all that missed the postseason to make it after a franchise-long 6 season drought.
23. Phoenix Suns 36-46
- Season Grade: F
Season Recap: The nightmare season has finally ended. Who would have thought this superteam would not even qualify for the play-in tournament? The injuries, team chemistry, roster construction, and defense were the downfall of this roster. Expect some big changes to happen this summer, which include the likelihood of a Kevin Durant trade and another change at the head coach. No one should be surprised if the organization decides to clean house from the front office down to the players.
24. Toronto Raptors 30-52
- Season Grade: C+
Seaoon Recap: Nothing to be too concerned about, Raptors fan. This year had low expectations, as Masai Ujiri mentioned before the season, but Toronto improved significantly, going 22-21 after that 8-31 start. It was exciting to see guys like Gradey Dick and Ja’Kobe Walter show promise as they can be role players added to their young core. It will be interesting to see how Brandon Ingram fits in the timeline of this rebuilding Raptors squad. If they are healthy, Toronto can certainly compete for the play-in tournament.
25. Philadelphia 76ers 24-58
- Season Grade: F
Season Recap: The nightmare season in Philly is coming to a close. A team that was supposed to be the biggest threat to the Celtics in the East ended up throwing in the towel to make sure they improve their odds to keep their draft pick that is top 6 protected otherwise, the pick would go to the Thunder.
Paul George, the top free-agent signing, had arguably his worst season as a pro, and Joel Embid only managed to play 19 games all year. The 76ers are running out of time to compete for a title with Embid, but it was for the best to forget this year and get healthy for next season when everyone is healthy. Remember how nice Jarred McCain was before his season-ending injury?
26. Brooklyn Nets 26-56
- Season Grade: B-
Season Recap: The Nets were a team that wasn’t relevant in the national spotlight but a team that most people could love. They played hard despite their lack of talent and got some wins now and then. It was even nice seeing Drew Timme, a Gonzaga superstar, get his chance and have some solid games. The Nets were even a decent defensive team throughout the season, finishing in the middle pack in defensive efficiency. Still, the Nets severely lack a go-to scorer, and they hope they can land one in this year’s draft. Brooklyn will be in a deep rebuild for at least a couple of seasons.
27. New Orleans Pelicans 21-61
- Season Grade: F
Season Recap: This was a disastrous season from the beginning, with all the injuries the Pelicans had to endure, especially to DeJounte Murray, whose season ended from an Achilles injury. However, there have been a couple of silver linings that came from this season. The emergence of Trey Murphy III, who could have been in the running for Most Improved Player, and the Pelicans will likely get a top 5 pick in the draft. The question is, do the Pelicans decide to trade their injury-prone star Zion Williamson?
28.Charlotte Hornets 19-63
- Season Grade: D-
Season Recap: For the third season in a row, the Hornets were well out of play-in contention, and their postseason drought has extended to nine seasons. Once again, Charlotte will be in the mix for the top pick and will be top 3 in the highest odds for the prize, which is Cooper Flagg. This feels like a rebuild in quicksand, but GM Jeff Peterson has emphasized the importance of patience in this rebuild and hopes to add another valuable pick to their collection of young talent. The question is, when will these years of high draft picks result in consistent winning?
29. Washington Wizards 18-64
- Season Grade: C
Season Recap: The Wizards are officially a better team than last season! And for that, they deserve a passing grade. Earlier in the season, the Wizards looked like a historically bad team based on net rating and their performance offensively and defensively. Now, after getting a couple of veterans, the Wizards showed signs of being a more competent team. However, the big win was that there is some promising young talent on this roster. Jordan Poole was more efficient, and Alex Sarr, the 2nd pick, improved throughout the year. It is still a deep rebuild in DC, but at least there has been progress made.
30. Utah Jazz 17-65
- Season Grade: C
Season Recap: Stay the course, Jazz fans. Utah wasted no time in Year 3 of the post-Rudy Gobert-Donovon Mitchell rebuild, which resulted in the franchise’s worst season and first 60-loss season. Now, it will be counting down the days until May 12, the day of the draft lottery. Obviously, it will be about winning the draft lottery and being able to draft Cooper Flagg. If the Jazz can secure the first pick, this could accelerate the rebuilding process by adding Flagg, along with the other young players on the roster.
Main Image: © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
