The Magic are a favourite amongst our writers to rise into the East’s higher tier in 2025-26.
Every now and then, NBA.com’s writers will share their takes on the largest storylines and developments across the league.
Solid your early forecast: how will the Japanese Convention standings take form by season’s finish?
Steve Aschburner
- Cleveland
- New York
- Orlando
- Atlanta
- Detroit
- Milwaukee
- Miami
- Indiana
- Boston
- Philadelphia
It feels bizarre to checklist the NBA champions from 16 months in the past and the East’s Finals consultant in June to this point down within the standings. However that’s the type of havoc a few ruptured Achilles tendons can wreak on a convention. Boston’s and Indiana’s subtractions aren’t restricted to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, both. Their huge guys, Kristaps Porziņģis and Myles Turner, will doubtless shine elsewhere within the East and look down at their former groups. Up high, New York faces an NBA Finals-or-bust problem, switching coaches after getting inside two victories of the title spherical final spring. The Cavaliers face basically the identical stress to take the large step this season, with keen crews in Orlando, Atlanta and Detroit pushing up for high seeds.
John Schuhmann
- Cleveland
- New York
- Orlando
- Atlanta
- Detroit
- Indiana
- Milwaukee
- Philadelphia
- Miami
- Boston
The Cavs completed 13 games ahead of the Knicks final season, sweeping the season series alongside the best way. Cleveland ought to be the favourite to win the convention once more. The Magic and Hawks ought to take huge steps ahead, although the Pistons may actually climb into the highest 4. The Pacers really feel a bit of just like the 2019-20 Raptors, who misplaced their greatest participant (and one other starter) within the offseason, however nonetheless had seven returning gamers who had nice chemistry and knew the right way to win (that group finished second in the East that season). There ought to be much less drop-off in Indiana than there may be in Boston. The Sixers, Celtics and Raptors (final group out) are the hardest groups to foretell.
Shaun Powell
- Cleveland
- New York
- Orlando
- Detroit
- Atlanta
- Philadelphia
- Boston
- Milwaukee
- Indiana
- Miami
With Haliburton and Tatum both out for the season (or an excellent portion of it), this could possibly be an uphill climb for the final two convention champions. That can encourage a next-team-up scramble and the Cavaliers appear greater than as much as the duty. Cleveland is poised to win 60-plus video games and seize the highest seed, though the Knicks will stake a declare if the gamers adapt shortly to new coach Mike Brown.
After that, it’s a free-for-all, and a handful of video games would possibly separate No. 2-6. The Magic, Pistons and Hawks are anxious to duplicate what the Pacers did final season and pull a shock. In the meantime, the Sixers, with good well being, may turn into rejuvenated and take the lead in that posse. Though the East isn’t as wealthy because the West, it may drip with suspense in its personal manner
Brian Martin
- Cleveland
- New York
- Orlando
- Atlanta
- Detroit
- Milwaukee
- Philadelphia
- Miami
- Indiana
- Boston
Cleveland and New York cleared the path as the 2 returning 50-plus win groups that aren’t coping with injured superstars and key summer time departures (as Indiana and Boston are). Orlando, Atlanta and Detroit appear able to leap into top-four competition within the East. The Magic and Hawks made main offseason strikes, whereas the Pistons look to construct off final 12 months’s 30-win enchancment.
Rounding out the highest six assured playoff spots is Milwaukee, a group that has completed high 5 within the East every of the previous seven seasons. The Play-In groups have been the hardest calls because the 76ers have top-five expertise, however there’s no technique to assume good well being with them. The Warmth have made three straight Play-In (and one NBA Finals), a streak that might proceed this season. Rounding out the Play-In area are the 2 groups that represented the East previously two Finals: the Celtics (2024) and Pacers (2025).
