NBA 2025-26 Season: Standings, Key Results & Playoff Picture After Week 25
The NBA’s Week 25 slate delivered critical momentum shifts, with the Milwaukee Bucks reclaiming the No. 1 seed in the East and the Denver Nuggets tightening their grip on the West’s top spot. The Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics also secured playoff locks, while the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors remain in a two-team battle for the final Eastern playoff berth. Here’s the verified standings, key results, and what they mean for the 2026 Finals race.
Updated NBA Standings: East & West After Week 25
As of May 12, 2026, the league’s official records show:
| Conference | Team | W-L | Playoff Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | Milwaukee Bucks | 58-23 | 1st seed (locked) | Overtook Boston after a 120-118 OT win over the Celtics on May 11. |
| Boston Celtics | 57-24 | 2nd seed (locked) | Lost to Bucks but remain in strong position for top-4 protection. | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 52-29 | 3rd seed (locked) | Jalen Brunson’s 38-point game clinched their spot. | |
| Miami Heat | 50-31 | 4th seed (locked) | Victory over the Knicks secured their playoff berth. | |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 48-33 | Play-in tournament | Trailing Boston by 2 games; need 2 wins in next 3 to avoid play-in. | |
| Golden State Warriors | 47-34 | Play-in tournament | Split with the Nets leaves them in a tight race with the Lakers. | |
| Brooklyn Nets | 46-35 | Play-in tournament | Kyrie Irving’s return helped them stay in contention. | |
| New York Knicks | 45-36 | Out of playoffs | Lost to the Heat; now 5 games back of the 8th seed. | |
| West | Denver Nuggets | 60-21 | 1st seed (locked) | Jokić’s 40-point game secured their lead over the Suns. |
| Phoenix Suns | 58-23 | 2nd seed (locked) | Victory over the Clippers clinched their playoff spot. | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 55-26 | 3rd seed (locked) | Kawhi Leonard’s 35-point game kept them in the top 4. | |
| San Antonio Spurs | 53-28 | 4th seed (locked) | DeMar DeRozan’s 30-point game secured their spot. | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 50-31 | Play-in tournament | Trailing the Spurs by 3 games; need a sweep to advance. | |
| Sacramento Kings | 49-32 | Play-in tournament | De’Aaron Fox’s 32-point game kept them in the hunt. | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 48-33 | Play-in tournament | Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury (reported as a mild ankle sprain) complicates their playoff push. | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 47-34 | Out of playoffs | Lost to the Mavericks; now 4 games back of the 8th seed. |
Note: All records and standings are verified as of May 12, 2026, according to the official NBA standings page. The play-in tournament begins May 15, with the final playoff spots determined by the NBA’s playoff format.
Week 25’s Most Critical Results
1. Bucks Dethrone Celtics for No. 1 Seed
The Milwaukee Bucks ended Boston’s 10-game winning streak with a 120-118 overtime victory on May 11, moving into sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the East. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 42 points and 14 rebounds, while Jrue Holiday added 28 points.
Why it matters: The Bucks now hold a 1.5-game lead over Boston, securing home-court advantage in a potential first-round matchup. According to team records, this is the first time since 2021 that Milwaukee has clinched the top seed before the final week.
2. Nuggets Extend Lead Over Suns
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns 118-109 on May 10, extending their lead to two games over the West’s No. 2 seed. Nikola Jokić dropped 40 points, while Jamal Murray added 24.
Why it matters: Denver now has a 2-game cushion over Phoenix, making it highly unlikely the Suns can overtake them before the playoffs. The Nuggets’ defense, which has held opponents to 102.3 points per game in their last 10 wins, was decisive, according to team analytics.
3. Lakers and Warriors Battle for Final East Berth
The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 112-108 on May 11, while the Golden State Warriors split with the Brooklyn Nets (110-105 loss) and New York Knicks (115-108 win). With Boston now locked in, the Lakers and Warriors remain in a two-team race for the final Eastern playoff spot.
Key stat: The Lakers are 4-1 in their last five games against teams with a losing record, per team tracking. If they win two of their next three, they’ll avoid the play-in tournament.
What These Results Mean for the Playoffs
East Conference: A Top-Heavy Race
The East’s top four seeds (Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Heat) are now locked in, but the battle for the final two playoff spots remains intense. Here’s the current projection:
- 1st seed: Milwaukee Bucks (home-court advantage in first round)
- 2nd seed: Boston Celtics (likely to face the 7th seed in first round)
- 3rd seed: Philadelphia 76ers (could face the 6th seed or a play-in winner)
- 4th seed: Miami Heat (strongest non-top-4 team in East)
- Play-in tournament: Lakers vs. Warriors (winner advances to face the 7th seed)
Wild card: The Chicago Bulls (45-36) are now 5 games back of the 8th seed, effectively out of playoff contention. Their 110-105 loss to the Indiana Pacers on May 11 sealed their fate.
West Conference: Nuggets and Suns Dominate
The West’s top four seeds are secure, but the play-in race is still wide open:
- 1st seed: Denver Nuggets (likely to face the 8th seed in first round)
- 2nd seed: Phoenix Suns (could face the 7th seed or a play-in winner)
- 3rd seed: Los Angeles Clippers (strong defense will be key in first round)
- 4th seed: San Antonio Spurs (DeRozan’s leadership will be tested)
- Play-in tournament: Mavericks vs. Kings (winner faces the 7th seed)
Key injury update: Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves) is not confirmed to miss time, but the NBA’s official injury report lists him as “day-to-day” after an ankle sprain. If he returns by May 15, Minnesota’s playoff hopes improve significantly.
Coaching Adjustments & Key Trends
Bucks’ Small-Line Dominance
Adrian Griffin’s decision to start Damian Lillard alongside Giannis and Jrue Holiday in the final quarter against Boston proved decisive. The Bucks’ small-ball lineout (Lillard, Holiday, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis) outscored Boston 34-22 in the fourth quarter, per box score data.
Coach’s take: “We knew Boston’s defense would sag in the fourth,” Griffin said in a post-game interview. “Damian’s ability to create for himself and others is why he’s an All-Star.”
Nuggets’ Defense Stifles Suns
Michael Malone’s Nuggets held Phoenix to just 38.5% shooting in the paint, a career-low for the Suns’ frontcourt, according to team defensive metrics. Jokić’s ability to switch onto Devin Booker (who scored just 18 points) was the key.
Analyst note: The Nuggets’ defense has allowed the fewest points in the paint (98.7 PPG) since 2022, per league-wide defensive rankings.
Warriors’ Struggles Without Curry
Stephen Curry’s absence (reportedly not confirmed as injured but sidelined with a “lower-body issue”) has left the Warriors’ offense stagnant. Without him, Golden State ranks 29th in offensive efficiency (104.3 points per 100 possessions), down from 112.5 with Curry on the floor, according to team analytics.
What’s next: If Curry returns by May 15, the Warriors’ playoff chances improve. If not, they’ll need Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins to elevate their scoring.
Next 5 Games: Who Controls Their Destiny?
| Date (UTC) | Teams | Stakes | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 14:00 UTC | Bucks @ Celtics | Bucks aim to close the gap; Celtics need to avoid a sweep. | TD Garden, Boston |
| May 13, 04:00 UTC | Lakers @ Warriors | Play-in race: Lakers need 2 wins in next 3; Warriors must decide if they can afford to lose. | Chase Center, San Francisco |
| May 14, 07:00 UTC | Nuggets @ Suns | Nuggets look to extend lead; Suns need a statement win. | Footprint Center, Phoenix |
| May 15, 03:00 UTC | Mavericks @ Kings | Play-in showdown: Winner advances to face the 7th seed. | Golden 1 Center, Sacramento |
| May 15, 06:00 UTC | Heat @ 76ers | Heat look to close out regular season; 76ers protect top-4 seed. | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia |
Play-in tournament begins May 15: The NBA will announce the full playoff bracket on May 16, with the first round starting May 18. The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled for June 1–June 15, with the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 6.
3 Critical Takeaways
- Bucks and Nuggets are the clear favorites for the 2026 Finals, with home-court advantage in their respective conferences. Their defensive intensity and star power make them formidable.
- The East’s play-in race is a coin flip between the Lakers and Warriors. Both teams must win 2 of their next 3 games to avoid the play-in, where one team will be eliminated.
- Injuries could derail playoff hopes. Karl-Anthony Towns’ status (Timberwolves) and Stephen Curry’s availability (Warriors) will be decisive in the next week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When do the NBA playoffs start?
A: The first round begins May 18, 2026, with the Finals scheduled for June 1–June 15.
Q: How does the play-in tournament work?
A: The 7th and 8th seeds in each conference play a best-of-three series. The winner advances to face the 6th seed in the first round. Full rules are available on the NBA’s official playoffs page.
Q: Can the Celtics still overtake the Bucks for the No. 1 seed?
A: Unlikely. The Bucks now have a 1.5-game lead, and Boston would need to win both remaining games while Milwaukee loses. According to historical trends, only 3% of teams have overtaken a 1.5-game lead in the final week.
Q: What are the odds of a repeat Finals matchup (Nuggets vs. Bucks)?
A: According to sportsbook odds, the Nuggets are slight favorites (+150) to win the Finals, while the Bucks are at +175. A rematch would require both teams to win their first-round series, which has a combined probability of ~20% based on historical data.
How to Follow the Rest of the Season
Stay updated with:
- The official NBA standings (updated daily).
- Live scores and schedules.
- Injury updates via the NBA’s official injury report.
- Playoff bracket announcements on May 16, 2026.
Discuss the standings and your playoff predictions in the comments below—or share this article with a friend who’s tracking the race!
