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 we head into the final stretch.
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 still wide open. 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 drama to unfold.
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 All-Star selections to 3-pointers made in a season. So far, Durant, White, and Jae’Sean Tate have met their criteria, earning a combined $2 million. White also snagged an extra $500,000 for playing in at least 70 games.
Looking ahead, ESPN projects that only five players are on track to earn regular-season bonuses. These players include Dillon Brooks, Jonathan Isaac, Cameron Johnson, Chris Paul, and Julius Randle. Brooks will earn $1 million if the Houston Rockets clinch a playoff spot, while Johnson is on track to earn $562,000 if his true shooting percentage stays above 60%. Paul is just one win away from a $262,000 bonus, with additional bonuses on the horizon. Randle’s $1.4 million bonus hinges on the Timberwolves reaching the first round, and Isaac is on the cusp of earning an extra $2.6 million for appearing in 70 regular-season games.
Memphis Grizzlies: A Team with Everything to Prove
The Memphis Grizzlies have found themselves in the spotlight after making a bold move by firing head coach Taylor Jenkins with less than three weeks left in the season. This decision 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 move could either propel Memphis into a postseason run or backfire spectacularly.
Second, the team’s stars, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, have seen their minutes and points decrease this season. While the Grizzlies’ offensive efficiency has improved, questions about Morant’s future in Memphis have surfaced, especially with his eligibility for a contract extension this summer. The Grizzlies have underachieved in recent years, and with the playoffs approaching, they need to prove they can perform 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. The Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks are all vying for these spots. The Bucks have been dealt a blow with Damian Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clots, causing them to drop to the No. 6 seed. Meanwhile, the Pacers have been on fire since the All-Star break, and the Pistons are eager to host a first-round matchup in their first playoff appearance since 2019.
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 also heating up. The Utah Jazz have been tanking early this season, hoping to secure the best lottery odds. They have a greater need for Cooper Flagg than other teams in the lottery, as they are still searching for a young star to build around. Flagg would be a perfect fit for the Jazz, forming a dominant defensive front line with Walker Kessler and partnering with Lauri Markkanen.
Western Conference: Who Will Secure the No. 2 Seed?
In the Western Conference, the race for the No. 2 seed is Houston’s to lose. The Rockets have a two-game cushion over the Nuggets, with the tiebreaker to be decided on the final day of the regular season. The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers are also in the mix, sitting 4½ and 3½ games back, respectively. With two of the Rockets’ remaining games on the road against the Lakers, anything can happen.
Players to Watch: The 65-Game Criteria
As the season draws to a close, 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 towards it. Notable players like Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry are just a few games short. With the stakes high, these players will be pushing hard to ensure they qualify for postseason accolades.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
