NBA Playoff Picture 📸

03/14/2024

By: Jeff Yoder

A Snapshot of the NBA Playoff Picture With 1 Month to Postseason

What’s up, NBA fans? A lot has changed since our last check-in on the NBA’s postseason race (pre-All-Star Weekend). The 76ers have fallen off a cliff without Joel Embiid, though his return is still possible. The Clippers have begun to collapse, too. The Celtics are running away with the East, and No. 1 seed is almost certain. Boston’s real test will come in the playoffs if they stay healthy. Out west? Three teams are in a dead heat for the No. 1 seed — Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves. Minnesota is battling through the loss of Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Nuggets (defending champs) look poised to challenge OKC for the top spot. A few teams have also been eliminated (officially). Let’s take a look:

Eastern Conference

1. Celtics (51-14)

2. Bucks (42-24)

3. Cavaliers (41-24)

4. Knicks (38-27)

5. Magic (37-28)

6. Pacers (37-29)

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7. 76ers (36-29)

8. Heat (35-29)

9. Bulls (31-34)

10. Hawks (29-35)

In the Hunt: Nets (26-39), Raptors (23-42)

Out: Hornets (16-49), Pistons (11-53), Wizards (11-54)

Western Conference

1. Thunder (45-20)

2. Nuggets (45-20)

3. Timberwolves (45-21)

4. Clippers (41-23)

5. Pelicans (39-25)

6. Suns (38-27)

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7. Kings (37-27)

8. Mavericks (37-28)

9. Lakers (36-30)

10. Warriors (34-30)

In the Hunt: Rockets (30-35), Jazz (28-37)

Out: Grizzlies (23-43), Blazers (18-46), Spurs (14-52)

The Athletic: Early NBA Playoff Race Predictions. Plus, Wizards’ Offseason Begins

Photo: G Flume / Getty Images