The Western Conference bracket of the NBA Playoffs are as chaotic as ever, with one of the biggest wildcard in years: Luka joining LeBron with the Lakers.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference are packed with powerhouses, redemption arcs, and playoff regulars, making for one of the deepest and most unpredictable brackets in years.
From a historic run in Oklahoma City to a stunning fall from grace in Dallas, the West is a battleground this year once again.
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) locked in the top seed in the West for the second straight year, but this season feels different.
Their 68 wins are a franchise record, placing them in elite company—every team in NBA history to win at least 68 games has reached the Conference Finals, with four winning it all.
After falling to Dallas in the second round last year, the Thunder are now seen as title favorites with unfinished business.
#2 Houston Rockets (52-30) complete a stunning turnaround, clinching their first playoff berth since 2020, when they lost to the Lakers in round 2.
A year ago, the Rockets were a .500 team and missed even the Play-In. Now, they return with a young core and renewed confidence, entering as one of the hottest teams in the West.
#3 Los Angeles Lakers (50-32) are back to winning form, notching their first 50-win season since 2020, the year they won it all.
But the road hasn’t been easy—the Lakers have been eliminated by the Nuggets in each of the last two postseasons. With the marquee addition of Luka Doncic and playoff pedigree, they’ll be eyeing revenge.
#4 Denver Nuggets (50-32) are in the midst of a strong run, recording their third-straight 50-win season.
They fell just short in a Game 7 loss to the Timberwolves in the second round last year, but with their championship core still intact, Denver is once again a serious threat in the West despite firing coach Michael Malone so close to the Playoffs.
#5 Los Angeles Clippers (50-32) match their city rivals in wins, making it back-to-back 50-win seasons.
Last year’s campaign ended in a first-round exit to Dallas, and this team is still looking to finally break through to the NBA Finals with their current core.
#6 Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) continue their most consistent stretch in decades, securing a fourth-straight playoff appearance.
After their impressive run to the West Finals last season, the Wolves are back, battle-tested and ready to push even further.
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Play-In Tournament
#7 Golden State Warriors (48-34) are hoping to shake off a strange recent history—they’re 0-3 all-time in Play-In games, including last year’s loss to Sacramento. Still led by their dynastic core bannered by Steph Curry, the Warriors can never be counted out in the postseason.
#8 Memphis Grizzlies (48-34) return to the Play-In after missing the playoffs entirely last season. With a 2-1 record in Play-In games historically, Memphis knows the stakes and will look to claw back into the main draw.
#9 Sacramento Kings (40-42) find themselves in familiar territory. They won their first Play-In game last year against Golden State, only to fall short against New Orleans. They’ll look to run it back—and go one better this time.
#10 Dallas Mavericks (39-43) enter as perhaps the most shocking team in the field. Just one year removed from an NBA Finals appearance against Boston, the Mavs now face the Play-In gauntlet after a sub-.500 regular season.
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[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]