Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings As Lakers Clinch, Suns Eliminated

Wednesday was a pivotal day for several Western Conference teams as the end of the regular season approaches.

LeBron James and Luka Dončić helped the Los Angeles Lakers clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Dončić is less than one year removed from leading the Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals. He will now look to power his new team on a similarly deep playoff run.

While the Lakers punched their ticket to the postseason on Wednesday, another team saw its postseason hopes come to an end. The Phoenix Suns were eliminated after their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here's a look at the NBA standings following the Lakers' playoff clinch and Suns' elimination.

---

Western Conference Standings

1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 66-14; clinched Western Conference

2. Houston Rockets, 52-27; clinched Southwest Division

3. Los Angeles Lakers, 49-31; clinched playoff berth

4. Denver Nuggets, 48-32

5. Los Angeles Clippers, 48-32

6. Memphis Grizzlies, 47-32

—————————— PLAYOFF CUTOFF ——————————

7. Golden State Warriors, 47-33

8. Minnesota Timberwolves, 46-33

9. Sacramento Kings, 39-41; clinched play-in berth

10. Dallas Mavericks, 38-42

—————————— PLAY-IN CUTOFF ——————————

11. Phoenix Suns, 35-45; eliminated from playoff contention

12. Portland Trail Blazers, 35-45; eliminated from playoff contention

13. San Antonio Spurs, 33-47; eliminated from playoff contention

14. New Orleans Pelicans, 21-58; eliminated from playoff contention

15. Utah Jazz, 16-63; eliminated from playoff contention

---

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers, 63-16; clinched Eastern Conference

2. Boston Celtics, 59-21; clinched Atlantic Division

3. New York Knicks, 50-29; clinched playoff berth

4. Indiana Pacers, 48-31; clinched playoff berth

5. Milwaukee Bucks, 45-34; clinched playoff berth

6. Detroit Pistons, 43-36; clinched playoff berth

—————————— PLAYOFF CUTOFF ——————————

7. Orlando Magic, 40-40; clinched play-in berth

8. Atlanta Hawks, 37-42; clinched play-in berth

9. Chicago Bulls, 37-43; clinched play-in berth

10. Miami Heat, 36-44; clinched play-in berth

—————————— PLAY-IN CUTOFF ——————————

11. Toronto Raptors, 30-50; eliminated from playoff contention

12. Brooklyn Nets, 26-53; eliminated from playoff contention

13. Philadelphia 76ers, 24-56; eliminated from playoff contention

14. Charlotte Hornets, 19-61; eliminated from playoff contention

15. Washington Wizards, 17-63; eliminated from playoff contention

---

The Lakers split up James and Anthony Davis in order to acquire Dončić from the Mavericks in February.

That trade has so far paid off for the Lakers. Dončić has led the team in points per game while sharing ball-handling duties with James. The Lakers have meanwhile improved on defense as part of a team effort to make up for Davis' absence.

James isn't slowing down in his age-40 season, and the more time Dončić has to adjust to his new team, the more the Lakers look like a contender.

Any path out of the conference will involve getting past the Oklahoma City Thunder. If Davis and Dončić can stay healthy, the Lakers could potentially put up enough offense to challenge the NBA's strongest defense and make it out of the West.