Week 24 Watchlist: 8 Vital NBA Playoff Games
With two weeks remaining in the 2025-26 regular season, the playoff picture remains fluid. Twenty teams will take part in the postseason, and many seeding battles are unresolved.
Current standings and tiebreakers
In the East, Detroit and Boston have clinched playoff berths and guaranteed top-six finishes. Seeds five through ten are separated by just 3.5 games, keeping the race tight.
Out West, Oklahoma City and San Antonio have locked up postseason spots. The defending champion Thunder lead by 2.5 games, though San Antonio holds the tiebreaker.
Week 24 Watchlist — eight games that matter
Filmogaz.com’s Week 24 Watchlist looks at eight NBA playoff games that will shape seeding. Each contest carries clear postseason implications.
March 31 — Portland at LA Clippers (11 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
The Clippers enter at 39-36 and sit No. 8, while Portland is 38-38 and No. 9. This matchup affects SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament positioning and tiebreakers.
Los Angeles already leads the season series 2-0. A Clippers win would clinch that head-to-head tiebreaker.
April 1 — Atlanta at Orlando (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass)
Atlanta is 42-33 and holds the No. 6 spot. Orlando sits at 39-35 in a tight Play-In fight.
The Hawks are 16-2 over their last 18 games. Atlanta trails Toronto by half a game and leads Philadelphia by half a game.
April 2 — Lakers at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Oklahoma City sits atop the West at 59-16. Los Angeles is 48-26 and cannot overtake the Thunder.
The Lakers aim to protect the No. 3 seed. L.A. holds key head-to-head tiebreakers over Denver, Minnesota and Houston.
April 2 — Phoenix at Charlotte (7 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass)
Phoenix is No. 7 in the West at 41-33. Charlotte is tied for ninth in the East at 39-36.
The Hornets sit half a game behind Orlando for No. 8 in the East Play-In. Charlotte holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Orlando.
April 3 — Minnesota at Philadelphia (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass)
Minnesota occupies the No. 5 spot in the West via tiebreaker over Houston. Both teams are 5-5 in their last 10.
Philadelphia is 7-3 in its last 10 games. The Sixers have Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey back in the lineup.
April 4 — San Antonio at Denver (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
San Antonio is 56-18 and locked into a top-two West finish. Denver sits at 48-28 and fights for a top-four seed.
The teams split earlier meetings, both decided by five points or fewer. This matchup pits Victor Wembanyama against Nikola Jokić.
April 5 — Houston at Golden State (10 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)
Houston holds the sixth guaranteed playoff spot at 45-29. Golden State is locked into the Play-In at 36-39.
The Warriors can still move into the top half of the Play-In field. Stephen Curry’s availability remains a key variable after his January knee injury.
April 5 — Toronto at Boston (3:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Boston, at 50-24, clinched a playoff berth and a top-six finish. Toronto is fifth at 42-32 in a close race for guaranteed spots.
The Celtics lead the season series 3-0. A Raptors win in Boston would be a timely boost for their seeding hopes.
These matchups will influence the final standings and Play-In scenarios. Expect shifts in the playoff picture over the next two weeks.
