2025-26 NBA Season Predictions (Standings, Playoffs, Awards): Can Thunder Strike Twice?

The 2025-26 NBA season is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating in recent memory. With powerhouse rosters, rising stars ready to take the next step, and familiar legends still fighting to stay relevant, there’s no shortage of storylines. From the Knicks and Cavaliers emerging as the East’s clear frontrunners to the reigning champion Thunder trying to fend off the hungry Timberwolves and Nuggets out West, the league feels as competitive as ever. Here’s how I see the regular season and playoffs unfolding.

Eastern Conference Standings Predictions

Projected Standings:

1. New York Knicks – 58-24

2. Cleveland Cavaliers – 57-25

3. Orlando Magic – 50-32

4. Atlanta Hawks – 48-34

5. Detroit Pistons – 46-36

6. Milwaukee Bucks – 45-37

7. Philadelphia 76ers – 42-40 (play-in winner)

8. Miami Heat – 41-41 (play-in winner)

9. Toronto Raptors – 40-42 (lose play-in tournament)

10. Indiana Pacers – 38-44 (lose play-in tournament)

11. Boston Celtics – 36-46

12. Chicago Bulls – 35-47

13. Charlotte Hornets – 30-52

14. Washington Wizards – 19-63

15. Brooklyn Nets – 18-64

The Eastern Conference looks wide open this season, but the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers stand out as the two best teams on paper by far. Both are deep and built to contend for the top seed.

With Tyrese Haliburton out in Indiana and Jayson Tatum sidelined in Boston, the Pacers and Celtics should slide, leaving room for new challengers to emerge out East. The biggest wildcard is probably Joel Embiid and the 76ers—if Embiid and Paul George stay healthy, Philadelphia could shake up the entire playoff picture.

Don’t sleep on Paolo Banchero’s Magic or Trae Young’s Hawks either—both squads have the talent to make an unexpected Finals run if everything clicks.

And while Giannis Antetokounmpo could absolutely go full 2018 LeBron mode and single-handedly carry Milwaukee deep into the playoffs, the roster around him just doesn’t inspire much confidence this year.

Western Conference Standings Predictions

Projected Standings:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 63-19

2. Minnesota Timberwolves – 56-26

3. Denver Nuggets – 54-28

4. Golden State Warriors – 51-31

5. Los Angeles Clippers – 50-32

6. Los Angeles Lakers – 49-33

7. Houston Rockets – 48-34 (play-in winner)

8. San Antonio Spurs – 45-37 (play-in winner)

9. Memphis Grizzlies – 42-40 (lose play-in tournament)

10. Dallas Mavericks – 40-42 (lose play-in tournament)

11. Sacramento Kings – 35-47

12. New Orleans Pelicans – 34-48

13. Portland Trail Blazers – 33-49

14. Phoenix Suns – 29-53

15. Utah Jazz – 20-62

The reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder enter the season as the clear favorites out West, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and one of the deepest young cores in basketball. Right behind them, Anthony Edwards looks poised to take another superstar leap with the Timberwolves, looking to finally get to the Finals after two straight seasons losing in the conference finals.

The Nuggets remain a powerhouse with Nikola Jokić anchoring everything, while the Warriors and Clippers are aging but still dangerous squads built for another playoff run. Down in San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama continues to push the Spurs ahead of schedule, leading them back into postseason contention.

I may be sleeping on the Lakers a bit, but with LeBron James expected to miss extended time and Luka Dončić not having much support around him right now, I think L.A. could get off to a slow start—though I’m excited to see his first full season in purple and gold.

The Rockets are probably my hottest take this year. With the acquisition of Kevin Durant, they’ve got legitimate star power and a championship-caliber roster. But, with Fred VanVleet already out for the season with a torn ACL, Houston can’t afford to lose another impact starter. Durant remains an elite player when healthy, but at this stage of his career, that’s far from a guarantee. I see them as a play-in team.

The Mavericks could be a sleeper if Cooper Flagg makes an immediate impact, Anthony Davis stays healthy, and Kyrie Irving returns by February—but that’s asking a lot to all fall into place. Beyond that, the Kings, Pelicans, and Blazers will likely hover in the lower tier, while the Suns and Jazz appear headed for long, rebuilding seasons.

NBA 2025-26 Playoff Predictions: The Nuggets Beat The Knicks To Win The 2026 Championship

In the East, the Knicks and Cavaliers are set to dominate early rounds, with the Magic and Hawks being possible sleeper teams. Ultimately, New York’s depth gives them the edge over Cleveland in a seven-game slugfest to reach the Finals.

Out West, Oklahoma City should overwhelm most opponents, while Minnesota and Denver look like the biggest threats. However, after upgrading the roster this off-season, I think Nikola Jokić gets Denver back to the Finals, where they ultimately win the 2026 championship by taking down the Knicks in 6 games to win the franchise's second title in four years.

Eastern Conference

• (1) Knicks def. (8) Heat– 4 games

• (4) Hawks def. (5) Pistons– 6 games

• (2) Cavaliers def. (7) 76ers– 5 games

• (3) Magic def. (6) Bucks– 6 games

Conference Finals: Knicks def. Cavaliers – 7 games

Western Conference

• (1) Thunder def. (8) Spurs– 5 games

• (4) Warriors def. (5) Clippers– 6 games

• (2) Timberwolves def. (7) Rockets– 6 games

• (3) Nuggets def. (6) Lakers– 7 games

Conference Finals: Nuggets def. Thunder – 6 games

NBA Finals Prediction:

Denver Nuggets over New York Knicks in 6 games.

Finals MVP: Nikola Jokić

Award Predictions: Anthony Edwards Wins His First MVP Award

Anthony Edwards takes home MVP honors after leading Minnesota to a top two seed and cementing himself as one of the league’s true superstars. Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg makes an immediate impact in Dallas to capture Rookie of the Year, while Mike Brown earns Coach of the Year for guiding the Knicks to the one seed in the Eastern Conference in his first year as Knicks coach. Naz Reid shines off the bench in Minnesota to win Sixth Man for the second time in his career, and Andrew Nembhard breaks out in Indiana to claim Most Improved with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season. Victor Wembanyama continues his defensive dominance to win his first Defensive Player of the Year award, and Jalen Brunson earns Clutch Player of the Year after delivering countless late-game heroics for the Knicks.

• MVP: Anthony Edwards– Minnesota Timberwolves

• Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg– Dallas Mavericks

• Coach of the Year: Mike Brown– New York Knicks

• Sixth Man of the Year: Naz Reid– Minnesota Timberwolves

• Most Improved Player: Andrew Nemhard– Indiana Pacers

• Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama– San Antonio Spurs

• Cluth Player of the Year: Jalen Brunson– New York Knicks