Predicting the 2025-26 NBA Playoff Teams

Predicting the 2025-26 NBA Playoff Teams

The gridiron battles have just gotten underway, but basketball is already right around the corner. The first NBA preseason game is set for October 2, and the official start of the 2025-26 regular season is on October 21, with the Houston Rockets visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder on their championship ring night.

League rosters appear to be largely finalized, with the main exceptions being the ongoing Jonathan Kuminga situation in Golden State and the Sacramento Kings' reported pursuit of both Kuminga and veteran guard Russell Westbrook. The league's hierarchy is taking shape, led by the Thunder as they aim to be the first team to win back-to-back championships since the 2017-2018 Golden State Warriors.

It's time to unveil our season predictions, starting with the 16 teams we believe will make the 2026 NBA Playoffs—eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. Here is our breakdown of how the playoff picture should look at the end of the regular season.

Western Conference: Playoff Locks

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

2. Denver Nuggets 

3. Houston Rockets 

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Thunder are widely considered the NBA's top team and are the clear favorites to repeat as champions. However, OKC showed some vulnerability in the 2025 playoffs, which should give their closest competitors confidence that they can be beaten. I'm very impressed with the Nuggets' offseason moves, especially the major upgrade at small forward with Cameron Johnson replacing Michael Porter Jr. Denver also fortified its rotation by bringing in Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas, so they no longer have to rely on young players making a big leap.

The Rockets are a very talented team with excellent depth. Alperen Sengun could be a dark-horse MVP candidate after his spectacular performance at Eurobasket, while Amen Thompson is poised to continue his improvement from a breakout second season. And of course, Kevin Durant has now joined the rotation, taking over Jalen Green's spot. Calling the Wolves a lock might seem bold, but they earned it with two consecutive Western Conference Finals appearances. 

Minnesota's defense is a reliable foundation, built around two of the league's best defenders in Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. While they'll need younger players to step up for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and there's a chance Mike Conley Jr. could slow down at 38, Anthony Edwards is good enough to power the offense with his improved three-point shot and aggressive driving. That combined with an elite defense and a top-tier coach makes the Wolves a definite playoff team.

Eastern Conference: Playoff Locks

1. Cleveland Cavaliers 

2. New York Knicks

3. Orlando Magic

The Eastern Conference feels wide open following the Achilles injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, but the top two teams are clear. It would be a major surprise if either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the New York Knicks don't represent the East in the 2026 NBA Finals.

 Cleveland is bringing back all of its key players from a team that won 64 games last year, while the Knicks strengthened their bench by adding Guerschon Yabusele and Jordan Clarkson to an already talented starting five. My last lock is the Orlando Magic. They made the playoffs last year despite their three best players (Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs) missing significant time due to injuries and having one of the worst shooting rosters in recent history. 

The Magic's acquisition of Desmond Bane, one of the league's premier shooters, should significantly boost their offense without compromising their elite defense. The Magic will be an elite team if Paolo and Franz can take the next step together, and it's hard to imagine them missing the playoffs.

Western Conference: Likely Playoff Teams

5. Los Angeles Lakers

6. Los Angeles Clippers

With the major question mark surrounding Kawhi Leonard's contract and a potential salary cap investigation, both Los Angeles teams still look like solid playoff contenders as long as their rosters remain intact. 

The Lakers will have a full season with Luka Doncic, who appears to be in the best shape of his career. If Doncic performs like a top-five player this year, the Lakers can overcome any age-related decline from LeBron James, who will turn 41 in December. The addition of Deandre Ayton at center and depth pieces like Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart should keep the Lakers in good shape as long as Luka stays healthy. 

The Clippers' roster is still very strong. Leonard and James Harden, despite their age, are more than capable of winning games. Ivica Zubac is one of the league's most underrated centers, and the defense should remain excellent even with offense-first players like John Collins and Bradley Beal joining the rotation. 

Unless Harden's performance drops off or Leonard is sidelined, the Clippers are a safe bet for the playoffs.

Eastern Conference: Likely Playoff Teams

4. Detroit Pistons

5. Atlanta Hawks 

6. Milwaukee Bucks

I believe the Pistons are poised for a sustained run of playoff appearances with significant room for growth. Cade Cunningham established himself as an All-NBA player last season, thriving with better spacing. 

The Pistons still have a lot of highly drafted young talent—Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and Ron Holland—who could all elevate their game this season. While their offseason wasn't perfect, losing Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dennis Schroder and replacing them with Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, the Pistons are still likely a playoff team for the foreseeable future.

The Hawks are a fascinating team after a great offseason that brought in Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard, along with the Pelicans' unprotected first-round pick in 2026. With Jalen Johnson returning from injury and Zaccharie Risacher hopefully improving in his second season, this could be the most dynamic Hawks team of the Trae Young era, provided everything goes right.

The Bucks' situation is a bit disheartening, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the conference, which is probably enough to secure a playoff spot in a depleted East.

Western Conference: On the Bubble

7. San Antonio Spurs 

8. Golden State Warriors

Victor Wembanyama is ready to make a playoff push, and the Spurs have finally given him the supporting cast to get there. Entering his third season, Wembanyama is already a top-10 player, and his potential is limitless. 

Dylan Harper, the No. 2 overall pick, should have a role as a rookie, and fellow lottery pick Carter Bryant could make an immediate defensive impact. De'Aaron Fox is under pressure after signing a new max contract, and if he plays at his best, the Spurs have the pieces to reach the postseason.

 I am giving the last spot to the Warriors over the Trail Blazers. Golden State's roster may still be unsettled, but the core of Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green is good enough to win a lot of games. While Butler and Curry's durability is a concern in their mid- and late-30s, their combination last season was excellent. 

With Al Horford likely on the roster, the Warriors' offensive firepower should give them the edge over Portland's defensive potential.

Eastern Conference: On the Bubble

7. Miami Heat 8. Philadelphia 76ers

The Heat could easily finish higher than seventh this year. Bam Adebayo is due for a bounceback season after a slight regression, and Tyler Herro has already shown he can lead an offense. The addition of two explosive wings in Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins gives them great lineup flexibility. Honestly, it's hard to predict anything about the Philadelphia 76ers this year. Their success hinges entirely on Joel Embiid's health, which is always a risk. A healthy Paul George would also be a huge plus. The team has enough young talent to hold its own at times, with a full season of Jared McCain being a must-watch, rookie VJ Edgecombe making plays on defense and in transition, and Tyrese Maxey poised for an All-Star season. While I was tempted to pick the Bulls or Raptors, the Sixers have the highest upside of the trio, so they get the final spot.

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