The 16 NBA playoff groups, ranked by their championship possibilities

The bracket for the 2023 NBA Playoffs is finalized, and one of the crucial wide-open postseasons in league historical past is right here.

The NBA has traditionally been a league that runs on superpowers, from Invoice Russell’s Celtics to Magic Johnson’s Lakers to Michael Jordan’s Bulls to Tim Duncan’s Spurs to Steph Curry’s Warriors. It doesn’t actually really feel like there’s a crew to beat this yr. As a substitute, the parity we noticed all through the common season is giving approach to a playoff bracket that leaves extra groups than ever earlier than believing they’ve an actual shot to win all of it.

The Japanese Convention has three heavyweight groups on the high with the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers all constructed to win a championship. The Western Convention feels far much less more likely to go chalk. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are the No. 1 seed, however virtually each crew within the West bracket can discuss themselves into their path to the NBA Finals.

Right here’s how we’d rank the 16 groups within the playoffs by their possibilities to win the 2023 championship. Our crew of writers every ranked groups 1-16, and the ultimate order is the averages of these rankings

16. Miami Warmth (Japanese Convention No. 8 Seed)

The Warmth got here inside a Jimmy Butler three-pointer of constructing the NBA Finals final season, however for quite a lot of causes an analogous roster performed mediocre basketball all through this yr. The most important wrongdoer may need been a wierd dip in three-point taking pictures: after ending No. 1 within the NBA in three-point proportion in ‘21-22, the Warmth have been No. 27 in the identical stat this yr. Miami regarded like a shell of itself in getting pounded by the Hawks within the first play-in sport, however they rallied late of their subsequent one to beat the Bulls and arrange one other playoff sequence with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Warmth won’t ever be a simple out, not with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Erik Spoelstra main the way in which. The Warmth are going to want to discover a approach to lastly rating some factors after they face the Bucks, which goes to be extraordinarily tough towards a top-five protection. This most likely isn’t the Warmth’s yr, however they are going to definitely be annoying on the way in which out. — Ricky O’Donnell

15. Minnesota Timberwolves (Western Convention No. 8 Seed)

14. Atlanta Hawks (Japanese Convention No. 7 Seed)

This Hawks crew simply feels completely different from the earlier years, even the one which made the Japanese Convention Finals in 2021. Is that this to say they’re going to make a deep run? No, however what this crew has now’s depth and gamers who can take the ball dealing with load off of Trae Younger. Younger as soon as once more completed within the high 5 in assists, and whereas the Dejounte Murray pairing didn’t result in a ton of normal season wins, the Hawks are a harder crew to arrange for as their win over Miami to open the play-in event confirmed. Maybe crucial piece is massive man Onyeka Okongwu. In opposition to Miami within the Play-In sport, Okongwu had 20 factors, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, turning into a pressure on the defensive finish. If he can constantly present sufficient off the bench to spell Clint Capela, then the frontcourt turns into that a lot better. Nonetheless, stars get you over the hump within the playoffs, and Trae Younger must placed on one other present for Atlanta to make a playoff run. —J.P. Acosta

13. Brooklyn Nets (Japanese Convention No. 6 Seed)

The Brooklyn Nets’ superteam period has to go down as one of many largest busts in NBA historical past. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden gained one playoff sequence collectively earlier than all forcing their means out, however the trades that despatched them elsewhere helped inventory Brooklyn with a superbly respectable crew. Mikal Bridges has emerged because the Nets’ go-to scorer since coming over from Phoenix, and will probably be fascinating to see find out how to performs in a lead function within the playoffs for the primary crew in his profession. The Nets have tons of knockdown three-point threats and an important defensive middle in Nic Claxton round him. It appears like Brooklyn continues to be missing a star who stirs the drink, however the size, taking pictures, and defensive versatility of this roster shouldn’t be discounted. Even when they don’t win a sequence, Brooklyn ought to nonetheless have one thing to construct on with their new core with an excellent exhibiting this postseason. — Ricky O’Donnell

12. Los Angeles Clippers (Western Convention No. 5 Seed)

This was alleged to be the yr the Clippers lastly made good on their superteam hype. As they enter the playoffs, it simply doesn’t really feel prefer it’s going to occur. The Clippers have been a middling crew many of the season, endured a Paul George harm on the worst attainable time, and drew maybe the hardest first spherical matchup with Kevin Durant’s Suns ready. Kawhi Leonard has regarded glorious as of late as he’s returned from a torn ACL, nevertheless it’s going to be powerful to hold such an enormous load on each ends of the ground with George probably sidelined all through the primary spherical. LA’s finest probability is to unfold the ground, bomb threes, and hope Phoenix’s personal harm points present up. Even when Leonard will be the most effective participant on the ground towards the Suns, it nonetheless appears like such an uphill battle simply to win one spherical for a crew that at all times had its sights on a championship. — Ricky O’Donnell

11. New York Knicks (Japanese Convention No. 5 Seed)

The final time the New York Knicks gained a playoff sequence? You’d have to return to the beginning of President Barack Obama’s second time period in workplace, when the Knicks topped the Celtics within the first spherical of the 2012-13 NBA Playoffs. Clearly loads has modified since then. New York added guard Jalen Brunson in free company, and he’s averaged 24 ppg this season whereas shelling out a team-high 6.2 apg. Coupled with what the Knicks are getting from Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett — Randle led New York with 25.1 ppg this season and 10 rpg whereas Barrett added one other 19.6 ppg — and you’ve got a slightly formidable trio. New York additionally ranks twelfth in scoring offense (115.6 PPG) and tenth in scoring protection (112.5 PPG allowed), making them one of many extra balanced groups left standing. Oh, and so they acquired a reasonably favorable draw within the Cavaliers, with the Knicks having gained three of their 4 conferences this yr, averaging 108.8 ppg in these 4 contests. Maybe it’s time to write a brand new chapter within the storied franchise’s historical past. — Mark Schofield

10. Sacramento Kings (Western Convention No. 3 Seed)

The final time the Kings have been within the playoffs, George W. Bush was the president, Enron was on trial, and Rex Grossman was a Tremendous Bowl quarterback. Sacramento ended the longest playoff drought within the 4 main American sports activities by constructing essentially the most environment friendly offense in NBA historical past. The Kings have a easy system: De’Aaron Fox assaults the basket with abandon because the speediest guard within the league, Domantas Sabonis unlocks each halfcourt motion along with his playmaking, and a cavalry of shooters dash round screens and knock down pictures. The Kings are a lot enjoyable to look at, however they’ve two issues working towards them coming into the playoffs: a protection that ranked No. 25 within the league, and a primary spherical matchup with the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Nobody goes to offer Sacramento a lot of an opportunity to beat Steph, Draymond, and firm, however that additionally means the Kings really feel like they’re enjoying with home cash. An offense like this isn’t going to exit quietly irrespective of who they’re enjoying. — Ricky O’Donnell

9. Los Angeles Lakers (Western Convention No. 7 Seed)

The Lakers turning into one of many hottest groups within the NBA is dumb enjoyable, and who doesn’t like dumb enjoyable? Early within the season Los Angeles legitimately regarded like one of many worst groups within the NBA. Their Russell Westbrook Massive 3 dream rapidly grew to become a catastrophe the place neither Russ, nor the Lakers regarded snug enjoying collectively, and commenced the season at 2-10.

Then slowly, and with out many individuals exterior of Lakers followers actually noticing, this crew began to show issues round. First clawing their means again to .500, earlier than catching fireplace within the closing 20 video games and posting a 13-7 file towards a few of the finest groups within the NBA.

The return of D’Angelo Russell has been an enormous boon. The emergence of Austin Reaves has been fascinating to look at — and this crew is firing on all cylinders. Maybe most significantly: For the primary time in 2022-23 the Lakers are having enjoyable enjoying basketball. On paper this isn’t remotely near a championship crew, however when you’ve LeBron and AD, something is feasible. — James Dator

8. Memphis Grizzlies (Western Convention No. 2 Seed)

It didn’t come with out some bumps within the street, however the Grizzlies are again within the playoffs because the No. 2 seed within the Western Convention. The Grizzlies can be lacking some frontcourt depth with Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke each probably out for the playoffs, in line with Woj. Nonetheless, the Grizzlies nonetheless have potential Defensive Participant of the Yr Jaren Jackson Jr. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins performs plenty of guys in his rotation, and must dig even deeper to fight the accidents within the frontcourt. Oh yeah, that Ja Morant man can also be fairly good. Regardless of a small dip in discipline purpose proportion and factors per sport, his help numbers are up and he’s now totally again after being suspended by the NBA. If Jaren Jackson Jr. can proceed his excessive degree of play with out stepping into foul bother, the Grizzlies are going to be a tricky out. —J.P. Acosta

7. Golden State Warriors (Western Convention No. 6 Seed)

The Warriors suffered much less from a championship hangover this season, and extra from inner drama, extended absences for his or her finest gamers, and shedding some key bench items over the offseason. The truth that Golden State was capable of climb out of the play-in event appears like an enormous win in itself, and now there’s purpose to imagine this crew can go on one other deep run. Stephen Curry is wholesome, Andrew Wiggins is again within the lineup, and Draymond Inexperienced is at all times at his finest when the video games rely essentially the most. The Warriors’ largest impediment as a No. 6 seed is likely to be the shortage of residence courtroom benefit: Golden State went simply 11-30 on the street this yr, and must win at the very least one street sport in each sequence to assert back-to-back titles. If the Warriors can get Wiggins and Gary Payton II again to enjoying at their high degree like they did final postseason, one other championship run isn’t out of the query regardless of such a mediocre common season. — Ricky O’Donnell

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (Japanese Convention No. 4 Seed)

For the primary time since 1998 the Cleveland Cavaliers have made the postseason with out LeBron James within the lineup, and so they’ve finished it because of their fearsome foursome of famous person scorer Donovan Mitchell, dynamic distributor Darius Garland, defensive stalwart Jarrett Allen and sophomore sensation Evan Mobley. They have been the #1 protection in all the NBA through the common season and performed on the slowest tempo, which ought to work of their favor contemplating the postseason is a slower and extra bodily sport. The Cavs are clearly an ascending crew, the typical age of their beginning lineup is simply 23.5 years previous, however this would be the first postseason expertise for Garland and Mobley so expectations should be tempered. This isn’t a crew that is able to compete for a championship, however the outcomes of their first spherical matchup with the Knicks and a possible second spherical battle towards the Milwaukee Bucks will present us simply how shut they’re to getting there. — Jacolby Hart

5. Denver Nuggets (Western Convention No. 1 Seed)

The Nuggets have waited two lengthy years for his or her probability to show themselves because the NBA’s finest crew. Denver seemed to be on the brink in 2021 with Nikola Jokic rising as an MVP-level famous person, and a shrewd commerce deadline addition of Aaron Gordon giving the crew a badly wanted injection of athleticism and defensive heft — then Jamal Murray tore his ACL on the finish of that common season, and the Nuggets knew they didn’t actually have a shot till he got here again. After lacking the playoffs the final two years, Murray has regarded like his previous self for essentially the most half this season in his return to the lineup, and which means the justifications for Denver are over. This crew has probably the greatest offenses within the league with Jokic’s unimaginable mixture of playmaking and scoring effectivity on the middle of the assault. Michael Porter Jr. will knock down threes, Gordon will rating on cuts and putbacks across the rim, and Murray’s off-the-dribble shot-making gives a fallback plan when all else fails. The actual query for Denver is on the defensive finish: Jokic’s gradual toes are going to be focused in excessive pick-and-rolls all through this run, and it’s on Gordon, Bruce Brown, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to make the correct rotations. For a No. 1 seed, it positive appears like nobody believes within the Nuggets — particularly with a Suns matchup looming within the second spherical — however this crew has the famous person, the taking pictures, and sufficient defensive items to win the entire thing. Doubt Denver at your personal peril. — Ricky O’Donnell

4. Philadelphia 76ers (Japanese Convention No. 3 Seed)

This is likely to be the most effective crew the Philadelphia 76ers have ever put round Joel Embiid, and the stakes have by no means been greater. Philly has all of the items to win the championship: Embiid is enjoying an at MVP degree, James Harden has been masterful as a pick-and-roll facilitator, and Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey are each able to carrying the offense for lengthy stretches on the correct night time. The Sixers enter the playoffs within the top-10 of each offensive and defensive effectivity, and really feel like they’ve a deeper roster round Embiid than ever earlier than. Nonetheless, there are actual playoff demons to reckon with: Harden’s disappearing act within the playoffs is well-known, and Doc Rivers has a protracted historical past of blowing it within the postseason, as nicely. With Harden as an impending free agent with critical chatter a couple of Rockets reunion swirling round, it feels prefer it’s now or by no means for the 76ers. The expertise is there, however the path — a possible second spherical sequence vs. Boston, then an Japanese Convention Finals assembly with the Bucks — is treacherous. If Philly will get its championship, they are going to have actually earned it. — Ricky O’Donnell

3. Phoenix Suns (Western Convention No. 4 Seed)

The Suns mortgaged their future in a midseason commerce for Kevin Durant, within the course of placing championship-or-bust expectations on each season with him shifting ahead. Phoenix barely is aware of what its crew appears to be like like with KD after the famous person solely performed eight video games in his new uniform due to accidents, however the Suns went unbeaten throughout that stretch. Whereas Durant and Devin Booker will get the entire consideration, the Suns’ playoff success would possibly actually lie on Deandre Ayton enjoying with pressure across the basket, function gamers stepping as much as hit key pictures, and Chris Paul discovering an additional gear for yet another playoff run. The Suns most likely have the very best ceiling of any crew within the West, however they’ve to come back collectively instantly after such a brief runway. Can a championship crew actually be constructed in a single day? We’re about to seek out out. — Ricky O’Donnell

2. Boston Celtics (Japanese Convention No. 2 Seed)

A season in the past the Boston Celtics put collectively a considerably shocking run to the Finals. But, regardless of preseason turmoil that noticed the departure of then-head coach Ime Udoka proper earlier than coaching camp, the Celtics look to be a greater — and deeper — crew than they have been a season in the past. Derrick White took a large step ahead in his first full season with the crew, beginning 70 video games and enjoying in all 82, the one participant on the roster to seem in each sport. White averaged 12.4 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 46.2 % from the ground and a career-best 38.1 % from 3-point vary, placing himself into the dialog as one of many MVPs of the crew. Malcolm Brogdon put himself into rivalry for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Yr, as all of his 1,000 factors this yr got here off the bench, third-most amongst gamers within the NBA this season. Jayson Tatum slipped out of the league MVP dialogue over the winter however continues to be probably the greatest gamers within the league, and he varieties an amazing one-two duo with Jaylen Brown, who himself is within the combine for an All-Second or All-Third Staff spot. If the Celtics can keep away from a few of the offensive meltdowns the ended their run at a title a season in the past — and provided that Boston ranked seventh in turnover proportion this season, a marked enchancment from a yr in the past — there’s each purpose to count on the Celtics to make one other deep run. — Mark Schofield

1. Milwaukee Bucks (Japanese Convention No. 1 Seed)

This would be the fifth straight season the Milwaukee Bucks enter the NBA Playoffs as one of many largest title favorites. We all know the Bucks can win the championship as a result of we’ve seen them do it earlier than, again when Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 50 factors in an all-time title clincher efficiency throughout Recreation 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals. The Bucks failed at going back-to-back when Khris Middleton went down in final yr’s playoffs with a knee harm, and his well being is once more an enormous query this yr partially as a result of we principally know what we’re getting with the remainder of the Bucks’ core. Antetokounmpo stays the most effective participant on the earth for my cash with a uncommon potential to dominate the sport on each ends of the ground. Jrue Vacation has had an unimaginable season in Middleton’s absence, and continues to be probably the greatest two-way guards alive. Brook Lopez continues to be defending the rim on protection and stretching the ground on offense, and Jae Crowder, Grayson Allen, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton need to knock down pictures and defend. If Middleton can regain the half-court shot-making that was so important to Milwaukee’s championship run two years in the past, the Bucks really feel like essentially the most full crew within the league. — Ricky O’Donnell