With each NBA team having played 81 games, Sunday marks the final day of regular-season action, and there is still much at stake.
Despite 1,215 games already played, playoff and lottery standings are still in flux as all 30 teams compete in their 82nd and final game of the season.
For some teams, the offseason begins, with anticipation for the NBA draft lottery on May 12. Others are embarking on a potential two-month playoff journey aiming for the Larry O`Brien Trophy.
Here`s a breakdown of what`s at stake as the regular season concludes, starting with the competitive Western Conference:
Western Conference
Already Locked In:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have secured the top spot in both the conference and the NBA, guaranteeing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. A win on Sunday against New Orleans would make them the seventh team in NBA history to achieve at least 68 wins in a season.
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have also secured the second seed, capping off a surprisingly successful season with home-court advantage for the first two playoff rounds. Their game on Sunday against Denver will significantly influence the final Western Conference standings.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Following Friday`s victory over Houston, the Lakers are locked into the third seed. Like the Thunder and Rockets, they await the final outcomes to determine their playoff path.
Still to be Decided:
Essentially, everything else in the West is still to be determined!
4. Denver Nuggets
Denver controls its own destiny. A win against the Houston Rockets would secure home-court advantage in the first round after a turbulent week for the franchise.
5. LA Clippers
Similar to Denver, the Clippers are on the verge of a playoff spot after their Friday win in Sacramento. However, they face a tougher challenge against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco.
A win and a Denver loss would move the Clippers to fourth. A win and a Denver win would set up a first-round matchup against the Nuggets. A loss could push the Clippers into the play-in tournament.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves could have been in contention for home-court advantage, but a loss to the Bucks earlier in the week changed things. A win against the Utah Jazz would guarantee them a top-six spot in the West. They could potentially climb to fourth if both Denver and the Clippers lose on Sunday.
The late games on Sunday will determine the play-in tournament teams in the West.
7. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors also have a game they regret, after losing to the Kings earlier in the week. Following a win against Portland on Friday, Golden State needs a win on Sunday to secure a top-six spot in the West.
If both the Warriors and Timberwolves win, the Timberwolves would be fifth, the Warriors sixth, and the Clippers seventh based on head-to-head records.
Golden State is guaranteed to finish no lower than seventh, securing a home game for the first play-in game.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies missed an opportunity to complicate the standings further by losing to the Nuggets on Friday. This loss means they need help to move out of the eighth spot, despite hosting Dallas.
Memphis is confirmed for the play-in tournament but can move to seventh if Minnesota loses to Utah. They will either play in Golden State or host Minnesota in a potential three-way tie scenario.
9. Sacramento Kings, 10. Dallas Mavericks
The equation for the final two Western Conference postseason spots is relatively straightforward.
The Kings and Mavericks are tied entering Sunday after the Kings lost to the Clippers and the Mavericks beat Toronto on Friday.
The Kings control their destiny. Having swept the Mavericks in the regular season, Sacramento needs a win against Phoenix or a Dallas loss to secure a home game for the 9-10 play-in game.
Eastern Conference
Already Locked In:
All 10 Eastern Conference postseason spots are set following Friday`s results:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics
3. New York Knicks
4. Indiana Pacers
5. Milwaukee Bucks
6. Detroit Pistons
7. Orlando Magic
8. Atlanta Hawks
9. Chicago Bulls
10. Miami Heat
Draft Lottery Standings
1/2. Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards
The Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards are tied for the league`s worst record at 17-64 after both lost on Friday. A coin flip will determine draft order if they remain tied, as the top three lottery positions have equal odds.
3. Charlotte Hornets
4. New Orleans Pelicans
5. Philadelphia 76ers
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Toronto Raptors
8. San Antonio Spurs
The positions for the next six teams are also locked. Philadelphia secured the fifth spot, keeping their top-six protected pick unless multiple teams jump them in the lottery, in which case it goes to Oklahoma City.
9/10. Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns
The Blazers and Suns are playing teams with playoff implications on the final day. A coin flip will decide draft order if they both lose and remain tied, although lottery odds are equal.
Phoenix`s draft pick is controlled by Houston due to a previous trade.
11. Miami Heat
The Heat have no incentive to move from the 10th seed and might prefer to lose to maintain the 11th lottery spot, aligning with Washington`s draft position goals.
12. Chicago Bulls
13. Atlanta Hawks
14. Dallas Mavericks
15. Sacramento Kings
The Kings` draft pick goes to Atlanta if it`s outside the top 12. Their play-in tournament performance and other game outcomes could affect their final draft position and whether they keep their pick.
A Kings loss could improve their chances of keeping their pick, potentially through a coin flip in various tie scenarios.
16. Orlando Magic