2025-2026 NBA Standings, Playoffs & Awards Predictions:

East

1. Cavaliers*

2. Knicks*

3. Magic*

4. Bucks*

5. Pistons*

6. 76ers*

7. Celtics*

8. Heat 

9. Bulls

10. Hawks

11. Raptors

12. Nets

13. Pacers

14. Hornets

15. Wizards 

West

1. Thunder*

2. Nuggets*

3. Lakers*

4. Rockets*

5. Timberwolves*

6. Clippers*

7. Warriors*

8. Kings*

9. Grizzlies

10. Spurs

11. Mavericks

12. Pelicans

13. Suns

14. Trailblazers

15. Jazz

Playoffs:

East:

First Round:

#8 Heat VS #1 Cavaliers: Cavaliers win

#7 Celtics VS #2 Knicks: Knicks win

#6 76ers VS #3 Magic: Magic win

#5 Pistons VS #4 Bucks: Pistons win

Conference Semifinals

#3 Magic VS #2 Knicks: Knicks win

#5 Pistons vs #1 Cavaliers: Pistons win 

Conference Finals

#5 Pistons VS #2 Knicks: Knicks win

West:

First Round:

#8 Kings VS #1 Thunder: Thunder win

#7 Warriors VS #2 Nuggets: Nuggets win

#6 Clippers VS #3 Lakers: Lakers win

#5 Timberwolves #4 Rockets: Timberwolves win

Conference Semifinals:

#3 Lakers VS #2 Nuggets: Nuggets win

#5 Timberwolves VS #1 Thunder: Thunder win

Conference Finals:

#2 Nuggets VS #1 Thunder: Thunder win

NBA Finals

Knicks VS Thunder: Thunder win

Awards:

MVP: PG Luka Doncic Lakers; C Nikola Jokic Nuggets & G Anthony Edwards Timberwolves 

Defensive Player of the Year: C Myles Turner Bucks; F Evan Mobley Cavaliers & Victor Wembanyama Spurs

Rookie of the Year: F Cooper Flagg Mavericks; G Dylan Harper Spurs & F Ace Bailey Jazz

Most Improved Player of the Year: F Deni Avdija Trailblazers; Amen Thompson Rockets G & G Ausar Thompson Pistons

Sixth Man of the Year: G Alex Caruso Thunder; G Payton Prichard Celtics & G Nickeil Alexander-Walker Hawks

Clutch Player of the Year: F Kevin Durant Rockets; PG Jalen Brunson Knicks & G DeMar DeRozan  Kings

Coach of the Year: Jamahl Mosley Magic; Ime Udoka Rockets & Mike Brown Knicks 

Executive of the Year: Rafael Stone Rockets; Trent Redden Clippers & Jon Horst Bucks