Nuggets, Thunder, and 5-Team East Playoff Race Dominate NBA's Final Weekend

The final weekend of the 2024-25 NBA regular season is shaping up to be a decisive chapter for playoff seeding, awards races, and legacy moments. Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets face a must-win stretch against the Oklahoma City Thunder, while a five-team playoff race in the East hinges on outcomes in Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. Meanwhile, key players like Cooper Flagg, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama could make their final statements before awards voting.

Nikola Jokić is on the verge of securing his third consecutive NBA MVP award. The Serbian center has averaged 26.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 9.8 assists this season. With two games left, Jokić needs only 65 games played to qualify for the award. He's already reached that mark, but a triple-double or two in Denver's final games could solidify his narrative as a two-way force.

The Nuggets' fate rests in their hands this weekend. Denver must beat the Thunder on Friday and either the Knicks or Hawks to maintain their playoff positioning. Oklahoma City, already locked into the No. 1 seed in the West, will be testing Denver's resolve as they aim to push the Nuggets deeper into the Play-In Tournament. The Thunder's 58-23 record is the best in the league, and their 13.2-point average margin of victory is a testament to their dominance.

In the East, the race for the final two guaranteed playoff spots is as tight as ever. Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Charlotte are all within two games of each other with only two games remaining. The Raptors and Hawks control their fates, if they win out, they secure the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds. The Hornets, despite a 43-37 record, are actually outscored by a margin that would suggest a 54-26 team. This discrepancy could prove vital if tiebreakers come into play.

New York and Toronto face off Friday in a game that could serve as a first-round preview. How the teams approach the matchup, aggressively or conservatively, will be telling. The Knicks are locked into the No. 4 seed but will want to send a message to the Raptors, who are fighting for home-court advantage in the Play-In.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are in a precarious position. Missing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, they need to find a new identity quickly as they face the Suns and Jazz in their final two games. The Lakers were once locked in for the No. 3 seed but now trail the Grizzlies by a game for the No. 4 spot.

As the regular season reaches its end, we're seeing a flurry of historic performances. Cooper Flagg is averaging 22.1 points and 9.3 rebounds for the Celtics, while Kon Knueppel has hit 30+ three-pointers in 15 games this season. Cade Cunningham is also in the running for Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.4 points and 7.8 assists.

The NBA Play-In Tournament is set to begin next week, and every game this weekend could shift the landscape. With legacy on the line and playoff seeding at stake, the final weekend promises drama, history, and high stakes.

Next up: The Nuggets take on the Thunder Friday at 9:30 PM ET. The Raptors host the Knicks Friday at 7:30 PM ET.