The NBA All-Star break gave teams a chance to catch their breath before the final stretch of the regular season.
Most have fewer than 30 games remaining on their schedules, which means the chances to move up the conference standings are running out. It also means that late-season slip-ups could prove to be costly.
Regardless, it’s clear there are a select number of teams atop the hierarchy of contenders: The Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets. Can others like the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies sneak in?
Here are 10 post-All-Star-Game storylines to watch in the final two months of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Eastern Conference
Can anyone catch the Cavs?
Wire-to-wire, the Cavaliers (44-10) have been the best team in the East, tied with the Thunder for the best record in the NBA. They lead the NBA in offensive rating (121.9), assist-to-turnover ratio (2.23), true shooting (61.6%) and many other offensive stats. Cleveland’s trade for DeAndre Hunter bolstered its frontcourt. Yet the defending-champion Celtics (39-16), who have had stretches of average play, are 5.5 games back of first place. The Knicks (36-18) are eight games back. Boston, though, has the third-easiest remaining strength of schedule, per tankathon.com.
Is this the year the Knicks finally go on a run?
It has been 25 years since the Knicks appeared in an Eastern Conference Finals, 26 since they were in an NBA Finals. It has been 52 years since they won it all. Yet this may be the best Knicks team of the last two decades. Karl-Anthony Towns has been stellar, and the starting unit has been cohesive. But does New York have enough depth for a run, especially if injuries strike again?
Will the Sixers finally snap out of it?
The 76ers have lost five consecutive games and seven of their last eight. The most recent two came against the Nets and Raptors. Paul George, who signed a four-year, $212 million max deal, scored only two points on one-of-seven shooting in the Brooklyn loss. Tyrese Maxey missed that game with a knee contusion. George has dealt with various issues. Joel Embiid has played in just 17 games this season. For Philadelphia (20-34) — currently the 11th seed — to have any chance of turning things around, it will need its stars to be available.
How far can the Pistons go?
In what has been one of the more remarkable turnarounds in recent history, the Pistons (29-26), at the All-Star break, more than doubled their win total (14) from last season. All-Star Cade Cunningham (25.4 points, 9.4 assists, 6.3 rebounds per game) has been a revelation. Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris have been solid additions. Currently the sixth seed, the Pistons rank just 15th in offensive rating (113.1) and 12th in defensive rating (112.4).
Will retooled Bucks close the gap?
After starting the season 2-10, the Bucks (29-24) have course-corrected and were the most active Eastern Conference team at the trading deadline. Yet Kyle Kuzma is averaging career lows in field goal percentage (42%) and three-point percentage (27.5%). Milwaukee is 2-2 in the games Kuzma has played, though MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) missed all of those. The Bucks are the fifth seed, 6.5 games back of the third-place Knicks.
Western Conference
Are Thunder ready for a run to the Finals?
Sitting atop the Western Conference with a 44-10 record and eight games in front of second-place Houston, the Thunder are aware of the talented teams coming for them. “Challenges all through the conference, it feels like, from 2 through 11,” Thunder MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said, adding, “There’s never a night off in the West so we know that.” The keys for Oklahoma City are working Chet Holmgren, who missed 39 games with a pelvic injury and just returned this month, back into the rotation and staying healthy. The Thunder are talented, deep, well-coached and in position to play into June.
Are Nuggets primed for second title in three seasons?
Since the Nuggets lost to – gulp! – the Washington Wizards on Dec. 7, they have the second-most victories (25), No. 2 offense and share the No. 3 net rating. They are rolling offensively, and during that stretch, eight players are averaging double-figures in points, including Nikola Jokic (28.9 points, 12 rebounds, 10.2 assists), Jamal Murray (22.8 points, 6.0 assists) and Michael Porter Jr. (19.2 points). Murray is playing top-notch, and the Nuggets are getting production from Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun, Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson. Are the 2023 NBA champions gearing up for another deep playoff run?
Can LeBron and Luka make it work for the Lakers?
For the Lakers, success the remainder of the season and into the playoffs rests largely on how fast the LeBron James-Luka Doncic combination meshes and creates havoc for opposing defenses. Both are dealing with injuries, and James said, “As he continues to get in form, I think we could be really good going down the stretch. But we’ll see what happens.” A 12-3 run just before the All-Star break lifted the Lakers into fifth place, just a half-game behind Houston. But they still need to figure out how to compensate, especially defensively in the paint, for the loss of Anthony Davis in the Doncic trade.
How close are the Grizzlies and Rockets?
The Rockets and the Grizzlies missed the playoffs last season, but with the Rockets’ rebuild taking off with young talent and the Grizzlies benefiting from a healthy Ja Morant, both teams have been in the upper half of the West most of the season and have flirted with the No. 2 seed. Memphis is in second place and the Rockets are in fourth place, just 2 ½ games behind the Grizzlies. The meaningful question for Houston and Memphis: Can they win multiple series against teams with more playoff experience? Could the Grizzlies beat Golden State, Dallas or Minnesota in a series? Could Houston beat Denver, the Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers in a series? That’s the test.
Does Butler make Curry, Green and Warriors contenders?
With the addition of Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, veteran forward Draymond Green predicted a Golden State championship. Not surprising coming from Green, but the Warriors are in 10th place. “I love the expectations and having something to play for,” Steph Curry said. “He’s lighting a fire, for sure.” They are 3-1 with Butler and given their collective experience and competitive nature, the Warriors shouldn’t be dismissed because of their record. Curry had it right when he said, “All we want is just to get into a playoff series and have a fighting chance to be a tough out against anybody in the West.”