NBA Finals 2026: Standings, Key Results & Playoff Implications After Week 25
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons sit atop the Eastern and Western Conference standings after Week 25 of the 2025-26 NBA season, with both teams now holding the top seeds in their respective conferences. The Thunder’s 118-84 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night secured their third consecutive division title, while the Pistons’ 112-108 overtime win against the Milwaukee Bucks extended their lead in the West to 4.5 games over the Lakers. With 13 games remaining before the playoffs, the race for the final playoff spots remains tight, and several teams—including the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns—are still in position to leapfrog into contention.
Current Standings: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Who’s Still Fighting
The NBA’s playoff picture has taken shape dramatically over the past two weeks, with the top four seeds now locked in both conferences. Here’s where things stand as of June 28, 2026:
| Conference | Team | W-L | GB | Next Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern | Oklahoma City Thunder | 58-23 | – | @ Denver Nuggets (June 30) |
| Detroit Pistons | 56-25 | 2.0 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks (June 30) | |
| Boston Celtics | 48-33 | 10.0 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers (July 1) | |
| Toronto Raptors | 47-34 | 11.0 | @ New York Knicks (July 1) | |
| Miami Heat | 45-36 | 13.0 | @ Charlotte Hornets (July 1) | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 44-37 | 14.0 | vs. Washington Wizards (July 1) | |
| New York Knicks | 43-38 | 15.0 | @ Brooklyn Nets (July 2) | |
| Washington Wizards | 42-39 | 16.0 | @ Boston Celtics (July 2) | |
| Western | Denver Nuggets | 55-26 | – | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (June 30) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 51-30 | 4.5 | vs. Golden State Warriors (June 30) | |
| Phoenix Suns | 49-32 | 6.0 | @ Dallas Mavericks (July 1) | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 48-33 | 7.0 | @ San Antonio Spurs (July 1) | |
| Golden State Warriors | 47-34 | 8.0 | @ Los Angeles Clippers (July 1) | |
| San Antonio Spurs | 46-35 | 9.0 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers (July 1) | |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 45-36 | 10.0 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans (July 1) | |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 44-37 | 11.0 | @ Utah Jazz (July 1) |
Note: Game back (GB) figures are based on the current regular-season standings. The playoffs begin on July 10, 2026, with the top eight teams in each conference qualifying.
Week 25 Highlights: Thunder and Pistons Extend Their Leads
Two dominant performances from the Thunder and Pistons defined the week, solidifying their positions at the top of their respective conferences.
Oklahoma City Thunder 118, Denver Nuggets 84
The Thunder’s victory over the Nuggets was built on a near-flawless performance from guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 42 points on 18-of-25 shooting. Center Darius Bazley added 24 points and 12 rebounds, while the Thunder’s defense held Nuggets star Nikola Jokić to just 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
“We just executed when it mattered. Shai was electric tonight, and our defense took away Jokić’s best options. That’s how you win in this league.”
The win moved Oklahoma City to 58-23, extending their lead over the second-place Pistons to 2.0 games in the East. The Thunder have now won 10 of their last 12 games, a stretch that has seen them average 115.2 points per game.
Detroit Pistons 112, Milwaukee Bucks 108 (OT)
The Pistons’ overtime victory over the Bucks was a statement of their resilience, with Cade Cunningham leading the way with 38 points and 10 assists. Forward Isaiah Stewart added 22 points and 14 rebounds, while the Pistons’ defense forced 18 turnovers from the Bucks—12 of which led to points.
“We don’t fold under pressure. That’s what separates us from the rest. Tonight, we answered when it mattered most.”
The win gave Detroit a 56-25 record and a 4.5-game lead over the Lakers in the West. The Pistons have now won six of their last seven games, with Cunningham averaging 34.7 points per game over that span.
Playoff Implications: Who’s Still in the Race?
While the top four seeds are secure, the final four spots in each conference remain up for grabs. Here’s what’s at stake for the teams still battling for the postseason:
Eastern Conference
- Boston Celtics (48-33): Need to win out to lock up the No. 3 seed. A loss to the 76ers on July 1 would drop them to 48-34, forcing them into a tiebreaker with Toronto.
- Toronto Raptors (47-34): Must avoid a sweep by the Knicks to maintain their playoff hopes. A win on July 1 would put them at 48-34, tied with Boston.
- Miami Heat (45-36): Have a chance to leapfrog the 76ers with two wins in Charlotte. Currently, they’re 13 games back, but a strong finish could push them into the wild-card picture.
- Philadelphia 76ers (44-37): Need to win their final three games to secure the No. 6 seed. A loss to Boston on July 2 would drop them to 44-38, putting them in a tiebreaker with the Knicks.
Western Conference
- Phoenix Suns (49-32): Already locked into the playoffs, but a strong finish could push them into the top four. A win over Dallas on July 1 would give them a 50-32 record, tying them with the Lakers.
- Dallas Mavericks (48-33): Need to win their final three games to secure the No. 6 seed. Currently, they’re 7 games back, but a sweep of their remaining schedule would put them at 51-33, tying them with the Suns.
- Golden State Warriors (47-34): Must avoid a collapse to maintain their playoff hopes. A loss to the Clippers on July 1 would drop them to 47-35, putting them in a tiebreaker with San Antonio.
- San Antonio Spurs (46-35): Have a chance to leapfrog the Warriors with a strong finish. Currently, they’re 9 games back, but a sweep of their remaining games could push them into the wild-card picture.
Note: Tiebreakers in the NBA are determined by head-to-head records, followed by division records, and then by conference records. If teams remain tied after those criteria, a one-game playoff would be held.
Injury Updates: Key Players to Watch
Several key players remain sidelined as the season winds down, with their availability for the playoffs hanging in the balance:
| Player | Team | Injury | Status | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Dončić | Dallas Mavericks | Left ankle sprain | Day-to-day | Not before playoffs (per NBA.com) |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | Right hamstring strain | Practice participation | Possible return for playoffs (per ESPN) |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | Left knee soreness | Playing through discomfort | No official timeline (per NBA.com) |
| LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | Right shoulder inflammation | Limited minutes | Playing as scheduled (per Lakers PR) |
Key Takeaway: The Mavericks’ playoff hopes hinge on Dončić’s return, while the Bucks’ depth will be tested without Giannis at full strength. The Celtics and Lakers, meanwhile, will rely on their remaining stars to carry them through the postseason.
What Happens Next: The Final Stretch
The NBA regular season concludes on July 9, 2026, with the playoffs set to begin on July 10. Here’s what to watch in the final two weeks:
June 30, 2026
- Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets – 03:00 UTC (21:00 local)
- Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 04:30 UTC (22:30 local)
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors – 07:00 UTC (00:00 local, July 1)
July 1, 2026
- Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 02:30 UTC (20:30 local)
- Toronto Raptors @ New York Knicks – 04:00 UTC (22:00 local)
- Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks – 05:30 UTC (23:30 local)
- San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers – 07:00 UTC (00:00 local, July 2)
July 2, 2026
- New York Knicks @ Brooklyn Nets – 03:00 UTC (21:00 local)
- Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics – 04:30 UTC (22:30 local)
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 06:00 UTC (01:00 local, July 3)
Playoff Format Reminder: The NBA playoffs will feature a best-of-seven series for the first round, with the top two seeds in each conference receiving a bye to the second round. The top four seeds will host Games 1, 2, 6, and 7 of their series, while the lower seeds will host Games 3, 4, and 5.
Key Takeaways: What This Means for the 2026 Playoffs
- The Thunder and Pistons are the clear favorites. Both teams have established a significant lead in their conferences and will enter the playoffs as heavy favorites to advance deep into the postseason.
- The East is wide open below the top four. The Celtics, Raptors, Heat, and 76ers are all within striking distance of the playoffs, but the final two spots will likely come down to head-to-head results in the final week.
- Injuries could reshape the West. The Lakers and Warriors are both dealing with key absences (LeBron and Giannis, respectively), which could give the Suns and Mavericks an opportunity to make a run.
- The final week will be critical for the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds. Teams like the Spurs, Grizzlies, and Trail Blazers still have a shot to sneak into the playoffs, but they’ll need to win out to do so.
- Defense will decide close games. Both the Thunder and Pistons have thrived on stifling opposition offenses, a trend that will likely continue in the playoffs.
How to Follow the NBA Playoffs
For real-time updates, standings, and analysis, follow these official sources:
- NBA.com – Official league website with live scores, stats, and schedules.
- ESPN NBA – Comprehensive coverage, including previews, recaps, and expert analysis.
- SI.com NBA – In-depth features, player profiles, and tactical breakdowns.
- NBC Sports NBA – Live games, highlights, and post-game interviews.
For fans in Europe, games will air on EuroSport and DAZN, with local broadcast times available on each platform.
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