18. feb. 2026

Breaking Down the NBA Conference Races

As the 2025-26 NBA season heads into its final stretch, the playoff races in both conferences are taking shape. However, they’re still far from decided. While a handful of teams have been clinging to top spots, others are still jockeying for position in the middle of the pack. Seeding implications, play-in battles, and late-season matchups are still on the horizon.

In the current NBA standings, a few teams have carved out advantages. The rest, though, are fighting for both playoff spots and seeding that could decide their postseason fates.

Eastern Conference: Pistons Look in Control, But the Race Remains Tight

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons have established themselves as the team to beat. Currently sitting with the best record in the NBA, they combine offensive firepower with stout defense. This combo has allowed them to achieve some separation at the top of the standings in the East. The Pistons have one of the highest point differentials in the league, and they aren’t showing many signs of slowing down.

Detroit PIstons playing - NBA conference races heat up as playoff seeding, play-in spots, and late-season battles shape the 2025-26 postseason picture.

When you look past Detroit, the race gets much tighter in the East. The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks currently sit in the 2-3 seeds, sporting similar records. Boston’s offense has been efficient, and their defense has kept them in close games. Meanwhile, the Knicks have pulled out several long winning streaks to stay in the mix. Both of these teams have a chance to challenge for home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Further down in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain in striking distance. With a strong late-season run, they could finish in the top 4 seeds. Then there are the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers, who are currently in the 5-6 range. Both teams are fighting to avoid the play-in tournament. Below them, the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are occupying the 7 and 8 spots, likely looking at a play-in scenario.

Jayson Tatum playing for Boston Celtics - NBA conference races heat up as playoff seeding, play-in spots, and late-season battles shape the 2025-26 postseason picture.

Closer to the bottom of the East, teams like the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks are sitting just outside of play-in range. If either team can find some consistency, they could sneak into a postseason berth.

Western Conference: Thunder Lead, Spurs and Nuggets Close Behind

Like the East, the Western Conference currently feels a bit top-heavy. However, the pack beneath the leaders is still looking like a tight race.

Right now, the Oklahoma City Thunder hold the best record in the West. They’ve powered through this season with a dangerous mix of potent scoring and strong defense. They’ve also been very consistent, which is what has truly separated them from the rest of the conference. However, they have occasionally shown moments of vulnerability. They aren’t invincible, and with a few slipups, they could still lose their top seed.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing for Oklahoma City Thunder. NBA conference races heat up as playoff seeding, play-in spots, and late-season battles shape the 2025-26 postseason picture.

Currently behind OKC are the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets. Both of these teams are still within striking distance of the #1 seed. San Antonio’s recent winning streak has solidified them as a serious contender. For Denver, their mix of star power and experience has kept them near the top of the mix. With a late-season push, either of these teams could find themselves at the top of the West.

As for the middle of the West, the standings are crowded and frequently changing. Clustered in the 4-5-6 range are the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers. Right now, all three of these teams still have realistic paths to getting home court in the first round.

Luka Dončić, LA Lakers vs. Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. NBA conference races heat up as playoff seeding, play-in spots, and late-season battles shape the 2025-26 postseason picture.

Behind those teams are the Phoenix Suns, who are slipping into play-in territory but are still close enough to climb. They’re a strong team, but their season has been uneven and inconsistent. Also in this tier are the Golden State Warriors, who could absolutely rise to the middle of the pack with a few sustained wins.

Even further down in the Western Conference, teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers are fighting for a shot at the play-in tournament. As of now, their fates could depend heavily on head-to-head tiebreakers and late-season matchups.

What to Expect in the Final Stretch

As we approach the home stretch of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, there will be a few things to watch for in these playoff races.

For the Thunder and Pistons, the last stretch of the season will be about finding a way to maintain their leads. For Detroit, their two remaining games with the Cavaliers will be extremely important. So will their two matchups against the Raptors. As for the Thunder, they still play the Nuggets three more times before the season ends. Winning at least a couple of these games will be big if they want to hold onto the top seed. Beyond that, both of these squads will be doing everything they can to stay healthy for the playoffs.

Toronto Raptors vs. Memphis Grizlies. NBA conference races heat up as playoff seeding, play-in spots, and late-season battles shape the 2025-26 postseason picture.

For teams further down in the standings, there will be important decisions to make. Will they try to make a last-minute sprint for a higher seed, or will they prioritize staying healthy and maintaining their current spots? And for teams closer to the bottom, it’ll be a choice between battling for a play-in spot or focusing on draft position.

Final Takeaway

While both conferences in the NBA have clear leaders, the races are still extremely competitive. Many of the top seeds remain up in the air, and it’s anyone’s guess who will step up to claim them. With so much still unresolved, the last few weeks of the season promise to be full of meaningful games and shifting storylines.