NBA standings 2024: Updated playoff bracket, clinching scenarios for April 14

Edward Sutelan

NBA standings 2024: Updated playoff bracket, clinching scenarios for April 14 image

The 2023-24 NBA Playoffs picture is getting clearer by the day.

There are certain aspects that are locked in as the season heads into the final stretch. The teams that will comprise all the postseason spots in both conferences are settled.

The question at this point is all about how the seedings will be finalized. The Celtics have clinched the best record in the NBA, but the Western Conference No. 1 seed is up in the air, as is the second spot in the east.

How are the playoffs shaping up heading into the final days of the calendar? Here's what you need to know.

MORE: How Wemby's performance has created a historic battle in the West

NBA standings 2024

Eastern Conference playoff picture

Seed Team Record Games Back
1. Celtics 63-18
2. Bucks 49-32 14
3. Knicks 49-32 14
4. Cavaliers 48-33 15
5. Magic 46-35 17
6. Pacers 46-35 17
7. 76ers 46-35 17
8. Heat 45-36 18
9. Bulls 39-42 24
10. Hawks 36-45 27
Nets 32-49 31
Raptors 25-56 38
Hornets 20-61 43
Wizards 15-66 48
Pistons 14-67 49

Eastern Conference standings

Playoffs

1. Celtics, 63-18 ***
2. Bucks, 49-32 **
3. Knicks, 49-32 **
4. Cavaliers, 48-33 **
5. Magic, 46-35 
6. Pacers, 46-35

Play-In Tournament

7. 76ers, 46-35 
8. Heat, 45-36 
9. Bulls, 39-42 *
10. Hawks, 36-45 *

11. Nets, 32-49, ELIMINATED
12. Raptors, 25-56, ELIMINATED
13. Hornets, 20-61, ELIMINATED
14. Wizards, 15-66, ELIMINATED
15. Pistons, 14-67, ELIMINATED

* - Indicates clinched Play-In Tournament
** - Indicates clinched playoff berth
*** - Indicates clinched No. 1 seed

Western Conference

Seed Team Record Games Back
1. Thunder 56-25
2. Timberwolves 56-25
3. Nuggets 56-25
4. Clippers 51-30 5
5. Mavericks 50-31 6
6. Pelicans 49-32 7
7. Suns 48-33 8
8. Lakers 46-35 10
9. Kings 45-36 11
10. Warriors 45-36 11
Rockets 40-41 16
Jazz 31-50 25
Grizzlies 27-54 29
Spurs 21-60 35
Trail Blazers 21-60 35

estern Conference standings

Playoffs

1. Thunder, 56-25 **
2. Timberwolves, 56-25 **
3. Nuggets, 56-25 **
4. Clippers, 51-30 **
5. Mavericks, 50-31 **
6. Pelicans, 49-32

Play-In Tournament

7. Suns, 48-33 
8. Lakers, 46-35 *
9. Kings, 45-36 *
10. Warriors, 45-36 *

11. Rockets, 40-41, ELIMINATED
12. Jazz, 31-50, ELIMINATED
13. Grizzlies, 27-54, ELIMINATED
14. Trail Blazers, 21-60, ELIMINATED
15. Spurs, 21-60, ELIMINATED

NBA clinching scenarios

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

NBA Playoffs matchups

If the season ended today, here's how the first round of the playoffs would look.

Eastern Conference

Playoffs

(1) Celtics vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Bucks vs. (7) Play-In winner
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Pacers
(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Magic

Play-In Tournament

(7) 76ers vs. (8) Heat
(9) Bulls vs. (10) Hawks

Western Conference

Playoffs

(1) Thunder vs. (8) Play-In winner
(2) Timberwolves vs. (7) Play-In winner
(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Pelicans
(4) Clippers vs. (5) Mavericks

Play-In Tournament

(7) Suns vs. (8) Lakers
(9) Kings vs. (10) Warriors

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.