Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Picture, Bracket, Standings After Rockets Clinch Spot

The Houston Rockets are officially in the playoffs.

The team clinched a top-six seed with Wednesday's 143-105 victory over the tanking Utah Jazz.

So, what does the rest of the playoff field currently look like in the NBA?

Eastern Conference Standings

1. *Cleveland Cavaliers: 61-15

2. *Boston Celtics: 56-20

3. *New York Knicks: 48-28

4. *Indiana Pacers: 45-31

5. Detroit Pistons: 42-33

6. Milwaukee Bucks: 41-34

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7. Orlando Magic: 37-40

8. Atlanta Hawks: 36-39

9. Miami Heat: 35-41

10. Chicago Bulls: 34-42

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11. x Toronto Raptors: 28-48

12. x Brooklyn Nets: 25-51

13. x Philadelphia 76ers: 23-53

14. x Charlotte Hornets: 19-57

15. x Washington Wizards: 17-59

* Clinched playoff berth, x eliminated from playoff contention

Western Conference Standings

1. *Oklahoma City Thunder: 63-12

2. *Houston Rockets: 50-27

3. Denver Nuggets: 47-29

4. Los Angeles Lakers: 46-29

5. Golden State Warriors: 44-31

6. Memphis Grizzlies: 44-32

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7. Minnesota Timberwolves: 44-32

8. Los Angeles Clippers: 43-32

9. Dallas Mavericks: 37-39

10. Sacramento Kings: 36-40

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11. Phoenix Suns: 35-41

12. Portland Trail Blazers: 33-43

13. San Antonio Spurs: 31-44

14. New Orleans Pelicans: 21-54

15. Utah Jazz: 16-61

After going 41-41 last season but missing the Play-In Tournament by five games in the loaded Western Conference, there were questions about whether the Rockets might be able to take the next step this season around a deep, promising core.

They've answered that in a major way. Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green remain a fantastic inside-outside duo. Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams have provided a solid veteran presence. Amen Thompson has continued to develop into a two-way menace. Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. provide length and floor-spacing.

Are these Rockets on par with the top contenders in the NBA like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers or Boston Celtics? No, probably not, though they are a respectable 4-4 against that trio this season.

The Rockets also don't have the experience of some of the Western teams behind them like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers or Golden State Warriors.

But Houston is riding into the playoffs on a high note. The team has now won 13 of its last 15 games as it tries to lock down the No. 2 seed. This is not a group that any Western Conference team is going to be thrilled about facing.

The Rockets may not be ready to compete for the title just yet, but this is a very good basketball team. They'll make noise come the postseason, and the future is very bright in Houston.