NBA Insiders: What to Watch as the 2024-25 Regular Season Winds Down
As we approach the thrilling conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA regular season, the excitement is palpable. With the regular season set to wrap up on April 13, teams are laser-focused on securing their spots in the postseason. While some teams have already punched their tickets to the playoffs, others are still battling it out for those coveted positions. Let’s dive into the key storylines and players to watch as the season draws to a close.
First up, let’s talk about the Western Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder have already clinched the No. 1 seed, but the race for the No. 2 seed is heating up. Meanwhile, over in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks have already secured their playoff spots. But there’s still plenty of action to come before the regular season wraps up.
Contract Incentives: Who’s Cashing In?
One of the intriguing aspects of the final weeks of the season is the race for contract incentives. Fifty-three players, including big names like Kevin Durant, Derrick White, Aaron Gordon, and Dejounte Murray, had incentives in their contracts before the season began. These incentives range from being selected for the All-Star Game to achieving specific statistical milestones.
Durant, White, and Jae’Sean Tate have already met their criteria and will earn a combined $2 million. White also snagged an extra $500,000 for playing in at least 70 games. As for the rest of the list, ESPN projects that only five players are on pace to earn regular-season bonuses. These players include Dillon Brooks, Jonathan Isaac, Cameron Johnson, Chris Paul, and Julius Randle.
- Brooks will earn $1 million when the Houston Rockets clinch a playoff spot.
- Johnson will pick up $562,000 if his true shooting percentage remains above 60% — he is currently shooting 63.2%.
- Paul is one win away from $262,000 and has two additional bonuses (net rating and true shooting) that could net him an extra $523,000.
- Randle’s $1.4 million bonus depends on the Timberwolves reaching the first round, and they are currently in the play-in, just a half-game behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 seed.
- Isaac’s bonus of an extra $2.6 million for appearing in 70 regular-season games for the Orlando Magic seemed unlikely before the season, but he has played in 65 games so far, on pace to play his most since 2018-19.
Memphis Grizzlies: A Team with Much to Prove
The Memphis Grizzlies have found themselves in the spotlight after firing head coach Taylor Jenkins with less than three weeks left in the season. This bold move has brought two significant factors into play. First, the Grizzlies are taking a gamble by appointing interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, a high-intensity coach with success overseas but no NBA playoff experience. This decision could be a stroke of genius or a risky gamble, depending on how the team performs in the postseason.
Second, the team’s stars, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, have seen their minutes, shots, and points decrease this season. While the Grizzlies’ offensive efficiency has improved, questions about Morant’s future in Memphis have arisen, especially with his eligibility for a contract extension this summer. The Grizzlies have underachieved in recent seasons, and now, with the playoffs approaching, they need to prove themselves when it matters most.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race: A Battle for Positioning
In the Eastern Conference, the race for the fourth through sixth seeds is heating up, with the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks all vying for position. The Bucks have faced a setback with Damian Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clots in his right calf. While there is optimism that Lillard will return this season, the Bucks have already dropped six of their past 10 games, falling to No. 6 in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have been on fire since the All-Star break, going 13-8, with Tyrese Haliburton playing at an All-NBA level. The Pistons are also surging, aiming to host a first-round matchup in their first playoff appearance since 2019. If the Bucks remain in the No. 6 seed, they could face the Knicks in a star-studded first-round matchup, with the winner likely meeting the Celtics in the second round. Meanwhile, the Cavs would have a clearer path to the conference finals with less-experienced teams in their way.
The Tank Race: Who Needs Cooper Flagg the Most?
As the season winds down, the race for the No. 1 pick in the draft is heating up. The Utah Jazz have been tanking early this season, hoping to secure the best lottery odds. The Jazz have a greater need for Cooper Flagg than any other team in the lottery. While the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets are still early in their rebuilds, and the Charlotte Hornets already have a potential dynamic duo, the Jazz are still searching for a young star to build around. Flagg would be a perfect fit in Utah, forming a dominant defensive front line with Walker Kessler and partnering with Lauri Markkanen.
Who Will Secure the No. 2 Seed in the West?
The race for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference is heating up, with the Houston Rockets currently holding a two-game cushion over the Nuggets. The tiebreaker between these teams will be decided on the final day of the regular season in Houston. The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers are also within striking distance, sitting 4½ and 3½ games back, respectively. With two of the Rockets’ remaining eight games on the road against the Lakers, the race for the No. 2 seed is far from over.
Players to Watch: The 65-Game Criteria
As the season winds down, several players are on the cusp of meeting the 65-game criteria for postseason honors. While stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Anthony Edwards have already met the criteria, others are still working to get there. Notable players like Nikola Jokic, Evan Mobley, LeBron James, Jalen Brunson, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Domantas Sabonis, Jaylen Brown, and Draymond Green are all close to meeting the criteria. A player must appear in at least 20 minutes or more for the game to count, with two games allowed between 15 to 20 minutes.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
