NBA Team Performance Review: Expectations vs. Reality

• 2024-25 Record: 65-14
• Previous Ranking: 1
• Next Games: @ PHX (April 9), @ UTAH (April 11), @ NO (April 13)

The Thunder are the No. 1 seed in the West for the second year in a row and could do it again in 2026 with a similar team. They have 15 players under contract for next season, including Nikola Topic, a lottery pick recovering from a knee injury. The Thunder might have three first-round picks this year, but it`s unlikely picks from the 76ers and Heat will transfer this year. — Tim MacMahon

• 2024-25 Record: 63-16
• Previous Ranking: 2
• Next Games: @ IND (April 10), @ NYK (April 11), vs. IND (April 13)

It`s been a great year for the Cavs, with their second-most wins ever and their first 60-win season without LeBron James. They are the No. 1 seed in the East. Coach Kenny Atkinson is a candidate for Coach of the Year. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley all had All-Star seasons. Now they need a deep playoff run, at least to the conference finals, to prove their success is real. — Dave McMenamin

• 2024-25 Record: 59-20
• Previous Ranking: 3
• Next Games: @ ORL (April 9), vs. CHA (April 11), vs. CHA (April 13)

Boston is where they wanted to be at the start of the season: among the top teams in the East, healthy, and favorites to win the championship again. Winning the title is not guaranteed, but this season has gone very well for Boston. Jayson Tatum is scoring 26.9 points per game, and Jaylen Brown is averaging 22.5. — Tim Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 52-27
• Previous Ranking: 4
• Next Games: @ LAC (April 9), @ LAL (April 11), vs. DEN (April 13)

The Rockets reached their goal of making the playoffs for the first time since 2019-20. Ime Udoka could be Coach of the Year for changing the team`s culture. He brought in veterans like Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet and focused on building a tough, defensive team. Houston improved from 41 wins last season to over 50 this year. The Rockets are happy with the growth of young players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. Their playoff performance will decide their offseason plans. VanVleet has a team option next season ($44.8 million), but a new deal could give them flexibility as they consider adding a star player. — Michael Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 50-29
• Previous Ranking: 11
• Next Games: @ DET (April 10), vs. CLE (April 11), @ BKN (April 13)

By winning at least 50 games for the second year in a row, New York has met expectations to be a top team in the East. However, they haven`t done well against the best teams. They are 0-9 against Cleveland, Boston, and Oklahoma City, which raises questions about their playoff chances beyond the first round. — Chris Herring

• 2024-25 Record: 48-31
• Previous Ranking: 6
• Next Games: @ DAL (April 9), vs. HOU (April 11), @ POR (April 13)

The Lakers` season will be remembered for Rob Pelinka`s trade to get Luka Doncic from the Mavericks. Everything else is extra. JJ Redick is doing well as a first-year coach, Austin Reaves is improving, and LeBron James is still playing at a high level at 40. — McMenamin

• 2024-25 Record: 47-32
• Previous Ranking: 5
• Next Games: @ SAC (April 9), vs. MEM (April 11), @ HOU (April 13)

Nuggets ownership made big changes on Tuesday, firing coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth. They hope this will help the team in the playoffs, despite Nikola Jokic having a great year. There was tension between Malone and Booth, especially about playing younger players. The team also had injuries to Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray. Denver is 11-13 since the All-Star break, and interim coach David Adelman is taking over. He needs to help Jokic and improve their defense. — Ohm Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 48-31
• Previous Ranking: 8
• Next Games: vs. WAS (April 8), vs. CLE (April 10), vs. ORL (April 11), @ CLE (April 13)

Indiana is close to locking up the No. 4 seed in the East. It`s been a good season after reaching the Eastern Conference finals last year, especially since they were below .500 in early January. Tyrese Haliburton has been playing like a star in the second half of the season, and Indiana will likely have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, giving them a better chance for another deep playoff run. — Jamal Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 47-32
• Previous Ranking: 12
• Next Games: vs. HOU (April 9), @ SAC (April 11), @ GS (April 13)

Expectations for the Clippers were low this season. Kawhi Leonard`s health was uncertain at the start. Paul George left, and Russell Westbrook was traded. The Clippers added young, defensive players and hired Jeff Van Gundy as an assistant coach, which was a great move. Owner Steve Ballmer said they would contend, and Leonard said he could win with this team. They have a top-five defense and veteran players like James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Norman Powell who had good seasons. The big question is if Leonard can stay healthy in the playoffs. — Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 47-32
• Previous Ranking: 7
• Next Games: vs. SA (April 9), @ POR (April 11), vs. LAC (April 13)

The Warriors started 12-3, raising expectations even after Klay Thompson left. But then they went 13-21, leading to a trade for Jimmy Butler III. This energized Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and improved role players like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody. Now the Warriors hope for a playoff run like in 2022, when they won the title. Curry and Green think they have a chance to win another championship, and Butler wants his first. If `Playoff Jimmy` shows up, Golden State will be a team no one wants to play, especially early in the playoffs. — Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 46-33
• Previous Ranking: 10
• Next Games: @ MEM (April 10), vs. BKN (April 11), vs. UTAH (April 13)

The Wolves wanted to stay competitive even after trading Karl-Anthony Towns before the season. They looked far from playoff-ready until recently. Minnesota was on a five-game winning streak before losing to the Bucks on Tuesday but is 14-4 since March. It hasn`t been easy, and they are still trying to avoid the play-in tournament, but they are improving at the right time for the playoffs. — Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 47-32
• Previous Ranking: 9
• Next Games: vs. MIN (April 10), @ DEN (April 11), vs. DAL (April 13)

The playoffs would have been a good test for Memphis`s new offense. They wanted to be less predictable by reducing ball screens and handoffs. But they surprisingly fired coach Taylor Jenkins last week and are now trying to optimize Ja Morant under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo. A 10-loss stretch from Feb. 23 to March 27 seemed to cost Jenkins his job. GM Zach Kleiman wants `clarity and direction` as the season ends. Memphis might look for a new coach and could offer Jaren Jackson Jr. a big extension. They are in a good financial position to improve the roster this offseason. — Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 45-34
• Previous Ranking: 14
• Next Games: vs. NO (April 10), @ DET (April 11), vs. DET (April 13)

The Bucks expected to contend for a championship, but they haven`t played like it all season. They started 2-8, won the NBA Cup in December, but have recently fallen in the East standings. Milwaukee is 0-9 against the top three seeds in the East and needs a strong final week, especially in their last two games against the Pistons, to decide their playoff seeding. — Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 43-36
• Previous Ranking: 13
• Next Games: vs. NYK (April 10), vs. MIL (April 11), @ MIL (April 13)

Despite recent losses, Detroit has exceeded expectations this season. They have already won more games than expected. Cade Cunningham has improved a lot in his fourth season and is a candidate for Most Improved Player. — Kevin Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 39-40
• Previous Ranking: 18
• Next Games: vs. BOS (April 9), @ IND (April 11), @ ATL (April 13)

Orlando can secure a spot in the play-in tournament. Injuries might explain their drop from the fifth seed last season. They`ve played many games without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and they are still under .500 even when both play. Jalen Suggs is also out for the season. Caleb Houstan has been playing well recently, shooting 53% on 3-pointers since the All-Star break. — Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 39-40
• Previous Ranking: 17
• Next Games: vs. Den (April 9), vs. LAC (April 11), vs. PHX (April 13)

The Kings have secured a play-in spot but are still playing to host the 9-10 game. Expectations were higher after adding DeMar DeRozan, and coach Mike Brown was replaced in December. Things haven`t changed much under interim coach Doug Christie, leading to the trade of De`Aaron Fox for Zach LaVine. A play-in loss could mean more changes this summer. — Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 38-41
• Previous Ranking: 16
• Next Games: vs. LAL (April 9), vs. TOR (April 11), @ MEM (April 13)

The Mavs are fighting to host the play-in game, which wasn`t their plan after trading for Anthony Davis and Max Christie in the Luka Doncic trade. Injuries have hurt the team, including Kyrie Irving`s season-ending injury. Irving`s contract is interesting this summer. He has a player option for $44 million, and before his injury, the Mavs were expected to sign him for three more years. — MacMahon

• 2024-25 Record: 37-42
• Previous Ranking: 15
• Next Games: @ BKN (April 10), @ PHI (April 11), vs. ORL (April 13)

The Hawks had some good moments this season, including reaching the NBA Cup semifinals. But they are back in the play-in, which is where they`ve been for four years. Their 37 wins are just slightly better than last season and their expected win total. — Chris Herring

• 2024-25 Record: 36-43
• Previous Ranking: 21
• Next Games: @ CHI (April 9), @ NO (April 11), vs. WAS (April 13)

After dealing with the Jimmy Butler III drama, Miami is again in the play-in for the third straight year. They traded Butler to Golden State before the deadline. The question is how Miami will improve next season to avoid being in the same position again. — Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 36-43
• Previous Ranking: 19
• Next Games: vs. MIA (April 9), vs. WAS (April 11), @ PHI (April 13)

Despite being in a transition, the Bulls are in the play-in tournament for the third year in a row. They are not likely to make a deep playoff run, but Josh Giddey and Coby White have played better recently, giving the Bulls some hope for the future. But without a star and a clear way to get one, their future potential seems limited. — Collier

• 2024-25 Record: 35-44
• Previous Ranking: 20
• Next Games: vs. OKC (April 9), vs. SA (April 11), @ SAC (April 13)

Phoenix was expected to win many more games this season. It`s been a bad season for the Suns, who have fired two coaches and are not doing well under a third coach. A losing streak has likely ended their play-in chances. The big question is what the team and Kevin Durant will do this summer. — McMenamin

• 2024-25 Record: 35-44
• Previous Ranking: 22
• Next Games: @ UTAH (April 9), vs. GS (April 11), vs. LAL (April 13)

Despite a recent win, the Blazers are out of play-in contention. It was unexpected that they were competitive this late in the season. GM Joe Cronin got a contract extension because of the team`s performance and the development of young players Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. The next decision is on coach Chauncey Billups, who has a team option for 2025-26. — Pelton

• 2024-25 Record: 32-47
• Previous Ranking: 24
• Next Games: @ GS (April 9), @ PHX (April 11), vs. TOR (April 13)

San Antonio wanted to build winning habits during Victor Wembanyama`s rookie season to contend for the playoffs in his second year. Gregg Popovich`s health issues and injuries to key players disrupted these plans. They traded for De`Aaron Fox, but he and Wembanyama were both injured. San Antonio has a lottery pick and another first-rounder in the draft and uncertainty about Popovich`s return. — Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 29-50
• Previous Ranking: 25
• Next Games: vs. CHA (April 9), @ DAL (April 11), @ SA (April 13)

Injuries hurt Toronto`s play-in chances, but they are in a good lottery position to improve next season. They will also have Brandon Ingram, who they got in a trade but hasn`t played due to injury. Their long-term potential depends on where their draft pick lands. — Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 26-53
• Previous Ranking: 26
• Next Games: vs. ATL (April 10), @ MIN (April 11), vs. NYK (April 13)

Brooklyn exceeded expectations by winning more games than predicted. They were expected to rebuild. Coach Jordi Fernandez kept the team competitive despite trading players and losing Cam Thomas to injury. Now they are focused on the lottery and adding to their young roster. — Chris Herring

• 2024-25 Record: 23-56
• Previous Ranking: 27
• Next Games: @ WAS (April 9), vs. ATL (April 11), vs. CHI (April 13)

This season has been a disaster for Philadelphia. A team with championship goals is out of the playoffs. They might even keep their draft pick if they are lucky in the lottery. — Bontemps

• 2024-25 Record: 21-58
• Previous Ranking: 23
• Next Games: @ MIL (April 10), vs. MIA (April 11), vs. OKC (April 13)

Injuries have ruined the Pelicans` season. Dejounte Murray was injured at the start, and many other players were also injured. Key players like Murray, Williamson, and Ingram never played together. The Pelicans lost many games. This is a lost season for New Orleans as they recover from injuries. They might get a top-five pick in the draft and will focus on building around Williamson. — Wright

• 2024-25 Record: 19-60
• Previous Ranking: 28
• Next Games: @ TOR (April 9), @ BOS (April 11), @ BOS (April 13)

This injury-filled season has been another bad one for the Hornets. They are far below expectations. They might have to make difficult decisions in the offseason, including whether to continue building around LaMelo Ball, who has struggled with injuries and shooting. — Herring

• 2024-25 Record: 17-62
• Previous Ranking: 29
• Next Games: vs. PHI (April 9), @ CHI (April 11), @ MIA (April 13)

The Wizards were excited about their draft picks but knew this was another rebuilding year. Their main goals were to develop young players, add assets, and get a high draft pick. They lost many games again, but a top lottery pick would make it easier. — Youngmisuk

• 2024-25 Record: 16-63
• Previous Ranking: 30
• Next Games: vs. POR (April 9), vs. OKC (April 11), @ MIN (April 13)

The Jazz will be hoping for good luck in the draft lottery. They need a franchise player. They might trade veterans this summer as they focus on the long term. — MacMahon