The NBA postseason is a grind, essentially a two-month micro season during which things can change very quickly.
It’s often the consistent teams, or the ones that catch fire and get hot or the ones carried by stars that end up with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
This season, there is no shortage of stars, with a pair of Most Valuable Player candidates in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets carrying their teams. The Los Angeles Lakers will be entering their first playoffs of the LeBron James-Luka Dončić era. But, can anyone catch the defending champion Boston Celtics?
Here are nine storylines to watch headed into the 2025 NBA playoffs:
Eastern Conference
Do the Celtics have what it takes to repeat?
In terms of roster construction, the answer is unequivocally yes; this is essentially the same group that rolled through last postseason. Boston closed the season on a 29-6 run since Jan. 29. The Celtics were able to stagger the way they rested players in the final weeks. This team has a clear identity and shooters to space the floor. They have as good a chance as any to be the first team to repeat since the Warriors did seven years ago.
Will the Cavaliers, Knicks, or anyone else present a legitimate challenge?
This one feels like it’s up to the Cavs. The Celtics swept the Knicks in the four games they played this season, by an average margin of 16.3 points. The Pacers were hot down the stretch, but Indiana struggles on the glass. The Bucks, who closed the season on an eight-game winning streak, may get Damian Lillard (deep vein thrombosis) back during the postseason, so they’d be a team to watch.
Cleveland, meanwhile, split its four games with Boston, and all were close. The Cavs (first in the NBA in offensive rating; 121.0) have the spacing and offensive firepower to match Boston’s (second; 119.5).
Will any Play-In team in the East make a deep run?
Frankly, it’s tough to see any team posing a real threat. But if one were to pull it off, it would be the Magic, who finished the season strong, and tied for the NBA’s top defensive rating over the last 15 games, allowing 108.1 points per 100 possessions. As crazy as it sounds, there are times when Paolo Banchero almost looks like a young LeBron James, but Orlando’s offense simply stagnates too much. The Magic struggle to hit 3s (ranking dead last in 3-point makes per game at 11.2, and percentage at 31.8%), all of which makes it tough to see Orlando outscoring Boston or Cleveland in the first round.
How will the up-and-coming Pistons fare after breakthrough season?
Despite winning 44 games, 30 more than they did last season, the Pistons may still be a year or two from seriously contending for a conference championship. Detroit was decidedly average on offense, ranking 14th in rating (114.6). The team’s reliance on Cade Cunningham for shot making could allow the East’s better defenses to clamp up on him, and make other Pistons players beat them. Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley need to step up.
Western Conference
Are the Thunder ready to take the next steps?
Best record in the NBA (68-14). MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.7 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals per game). One of two teams to finish in the top five in offensive and defensive rating and the only team in the top three in both. Talent throughout the rotation with seven players averaging double-figures (SGA, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, Isaiah Hartenstein). Well coached (Mark Daigneault and staff). But the big question facing the Thunder: Can this iteration, which has just one playoff series victory and has not advanced beyond the conference semifinals, make the leap to the NBA Finals and NBA champion?
Does LeBron James have a deep run left, alongside Luka Doncic?
The Lakers were 20-17 in mid-January and were one of the best teams in the league the rest of the season, going 30-15 while acquiring Luka Doncic just before the trade deadline. The Lakers have flaws with limited versatility. Still, it’s LeBron James and Doncic and a solid supporting cast. The Lakers improved defensively, and Doncic provides an offensive dimension that few players possess. How many more deep playoff runs does the 40-year-old James have? And is Doncic just the player to help him get there?
A lot is at stake for the Nuggets
The Nuggets are two seasons removed from winning a title, but more pressing: they are about a week from firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. To call it unusual timing is an understatement. A lot is at stake. Ownership is intent on winning another championship with All-NBA center Nikola Jokić playing like an MVP. He became the third player to average a triple-double in a season (29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists per game) and the first player to finish in the top three in points, rebounds and assists in the same season. Interim coach David Adelman also is auditioning for the full-time gig.
How much can Jimmy Butler help the Warriors?
There’s no question Jimmy Butler, the Warriors’ all-in trade deadline acquisition, made Golden State better offensively and defensively. The Warriors were flailing at 25-26 on Feb. 6 and had to go 23-8 just to get the seventh seed and a spot in the play-in game. An offense led by Steph Curry and Butler and a defense led by Draymond Green and Butler is not your typical No. 7 seed. Not with that championship pedigree. Tuesday night’s play-in victory over the Memphis Grizzlies — in which Butler poured in a game-high 38 points — proved just how much value he can bring.
The West is loaded
Minnesota is the No. 6 seed — after reaching the West finals last season. The fifth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers put together an under-the-radar 50-win season. The Grizzlies were in second place at the midway point of the season, but finished eighth. Then, there’s Houston, the No. 2 seed. The Rockets won 52 games, the most the franchise has won since 2019, and they almost are overlooked despite a tremendous season. Whoever advances to the Finals from the West needs to beat quality team after quality team after quality team.