As we get closer to the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, there’s a sense of uncertainty for every contender. While the league’s top teams have proven their worth throughout the regular season, the road to the Finals is never as smooth as it seems.
The Thunder, Cavaliers, and Celtics are considered to be three of the best sides ready to win it all, but even they have their question marks. Of course, some other sides including the Lakers, Warriors, and even the Rockets will need to overcome some flaws. Let’s dive into the biggest question mark for every NBA playoff team in 2024-25.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Will Size Be Their Downfall?
The OKC Thunder (59-12) have been the team to beat in the West, boasting the NBA’s top-ranked defense (1st in DEF RTG) and witnessing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerge as a leading MVP candidate (32.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 6.3 APG). However, the looming question is whether their lack of size will be their undoing in the playoffs.
Despite signing Isaiah Hartenstein in the preseason, their frontcourt remains thin. Chet Holmgren, while talented, resembles more of a forward than a traditional center, raising concerns about how they’ll contend with the league’s more imposing big men. Teams like the Cavaliers, Celtics, Knicks, and Nuggets possess formidable interior presences that could exploit OKC’s size deficiency.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Is Donovan Mitchell Ready to Be a Leader?
The Cavaliers have built upon last year’s success in terms of advancing past the first round and have clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference this season. With three All-Stars—Donovan Mitchell (23.7 PPG), Darius Garland (20.7 PPG), and Evan Mobley (18.6 PPG)—their roster is stacked with talent. Yet, the burning question remains: Can Mitchell elevate his leadership to guide Cleveland to a championship?
While his scoring prowess is undeniable, leading a team to the NBA’s pinnacle requires more than just on-court excellence. It demands the ability to inspire teammates and a commanding presence during high-pressure moments. As the playoffs approach, all eyes will be on Mitchell to see if he can embody the leadership qualities that we saw from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in the 2016 season.
3. Boston Celtics – Can They Stay Healthy?
The Boston Celtics’ back-to-back championship ambitions are under a cloud of uncertainty due to health concerns. Kristaps Porzingis has been sidelined for most of the year, and just tonight, Jayson Tatum suffered a concerning ankle injury.
With Jrue Holiday also advancing in age, Boston’s core faces significant durability questions. Their depth will be tested, and the margin for error shrinks when key players are compromised. To overcome formidable opponents like the Cavaliers, the Celtics need all hands on deck. Their ability to keep their stars healthy could very well determine their postseason fate.
4. New York Knicks – Will the Shooters Help Jalen Brunson?
Jalen Brunson has consistently delivered MVP-caliber performances in the playoffs (30.3 PPG, 6.6 APG), and with Karl-Anthony Towns anchoring the frontcourt, the New York Knicks have a solid foundation. However, the effectiveness of Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart from beyond the arc remains a critical factor.
Spacing the floor is essential to maximize Brunson’s playmaking and Towns’ interior dominance. If these shooters can convert their opportunities, the Knicks’ offense becomes multifaceted and formidable. The Knicks’ postseason success hinges on these role players rising to the occasion. It is all about the “others” for the Knicks this year.
5. Denver Nuggets – Can Nikola Jokic’s Brilliance Make Up for Lack of Depth?
Nikola Jokic continues to showcase why he’s the three-time MVP for a reason, orchestrating the Nuggets‘ offense and proving to be arguably the best player in the world. However, Denver’s bench leaves much to be desired, with Russell Westbrook being the sole reliable contributor.
This lack of depth forces the starters into heavy minutes, raising concerns about fatigue as the playoffs progress. While Jokic’s brilliance has carried them thus far, basketball remains a team sport. Without substantial support from the second unit, the Nuggets risk being outlasted by deeper, more rested teams in the grueling postseason battles ahead.
6. Los Angeles Lakers – Will Their Lack of Center Play Be the Difference?
The dynamic duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James has propelled the Lakers into championship contention. Yet, their Achilles’ heel might be the absence of a formidable presence in the center position. As great as this duo is, they can’t overcome a lack of size if they face some dominant opponents down low (such as Jokic, Towns, Mobley, and Porzingis).
With only Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len as recognized centers, Los Angeles faces potential mismatches against teams boasting dominant big men. In playoff basketball, controlling the paint is paramount, and the Lakers’ current roster construction could leave them vulnerable. Addressing this deficiency might be crucial for their title aspirations.
7. Milwaukee Bucks – Is Giannis Ready to Carry a Very Heavy Load?
Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the heart and soul of the Bucks, with Damian Lillard providing a potent backcourt complement. However, the suspension of Bobby Portis due to a 25-game PED violation has further thinned an already struggling roster. The depth chart isn’t as strong as it has been over the last few seasons, even if Kyle Kuzma was brought in for reinforcements.
Despite winning the in-season tournament, Milwaukee has appeared a shadow of its former self throughout the year. Giannis will need to summon Herculean efforts to navigate the Bucks through the playoffs, shouldering a burden that could test even his prodigious talents.
8. Memphis Grizzlies – How Focused Is Ja Morant?
Ja Morant’s electrifying play has been the core of the Grizzlies since his rookie season, but this season has seen him limited to just 43 games. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s All-Star recognition underscores the team’s talent, yet Memphis’s championship hopes hinge on Morant’s focus and availability.
When fully engaged, Morant is a game-changer, capable of propelling the Grizzlies deep into the playoffs. However, any lapses in concentration or commitment could derail their postseason ambitions. Memphis needs their star point guard at his best to contend with the league’s elite, and we have concerns he can reach that level.
9. Houston Rockets – Are They Ready Or Just Youthful?
The Houston Rockets are definitely one of the most surprising teams this season, earning the second seed in the Western Conference. Led by rising stars like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, Houston is brimming with raw potential under elite coach Ime Udoka.
However, the question remains: are they truly ready for the pressure of the playoffs, or are they just a youthful team still finding its identity? While veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks provide much-needed leadership, there is a legitimate concern about whether their young players can handle the intensity of playoff basketball. As we’ve seen time and again, playoff success demands more than just raw talent.
10. Golden State Warriors – Is Age And Attrition A Real Thing?
The Golden State Warriors have looked very strong with their Big Three of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. However, the question of whether Father Time will catch up with them looms larger than ever. Curry, at 37 years old, has shown signs of fatigue throughout this season and that is a concern to watch out for.
The Warriors’ success has always been predicated on the health and longevity of their core, but this season, the physical toll is beginning to show. Can they maintain their high level of play through an entire postseason, or is this the year where age and attrition finally catch up to them?
11. Indiana Pacers – Can Tyrese Haliburton Return To Superstar Form?
Tyrese Haliburton has already established himself as one of the NBA’s rising stars, earning an All-NBA selection last season and leading the Pacers into the Eastern Conference Finals. However, this year, Haliburton has not quite reached the same superstar level that made him one of the most promising young players in the league.
Despite his solid playmaking and offensive skills, the Pacers have not quite lived up to their previous playoff expectations. If they want to make another deep run, Haliburton will need to return to the elite form he showed last season. His ability to elevate his game in the postseason will be the difference between a first-round exit and a potential Eastern Conference Finals appearance for the Pacers.
12. Los Angeles Clippers – Is Kawhi Leonard Going To Magically Be Healthy?
The Clippers have been a team built around the presence of Kawhi Leonard. But for all the talent on their roster, the Clippers’ fate often hinges on Leonard’s ability to stay healthy. This season has been no different—Leonard’s health has been a constant worry, and the likelihood of him magically being 100% during the playoffs is slim.
The Clippers’ championship hopes rest on Leonard, but his durability is a real concern. He’s shown flashes of his old self when healthy, but will he sustain that level of play throughout an entire postseason run? Even if James Harden (22.5 PPG, 8.7 APG) and Norman Powell (22.7 PPG) have been exceptional this year, they can’t win without Leonard.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves – Can Anthony Edwards Bring The Best Out Of Everyone?
Anthony Edwards has firmly established himself as a superstar in this game (27.5 PPG), but the Timberwolves playoff success may hinge on how well he can elevate the play of his teammates. While Edwards has been a dynamo on offense, he needs to take a leadership role and guide the likes of Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid to play at their highest level.
The Timberwolves have a solid roster, but they’ll need Edwards to take charge if they hope to make a deep run in the playoffs. This is his time to show that he can lead a team through the grueling postseason grind, not just rely on his athleticism and talent. Can Edwards make the leap from being an explosive scorer to a true floor general?
14. Detroit Pistons – Can Cade Cunningham And Co. Force A Game 7 In The First Round?
The Detroit Pistons are far from a title contender, but their postseason aspirations revolve around their young core, led by Cade Cunningham (25.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 9.2 APG). The goal for the Pistons isn’t necessarily to win a championship this season, but to make strides in the playoffs—perhaps pushing a higher-seeded team to a Game 7.
Cunningham has the talent to make that possible, but the Pistons’ success will largely depend on how well their other young players like Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren contribute in big moments. If Cunningham can help guide Detroit to a first-round series that stretches into the deepest games, it will be a massive win for the franchise’s future.
15. Atlanta Hawks – Is Trae Young Motivated?
Trae Young’s future in Atlanta has been a topic of much speculation, and with the Hawks’ underwhelming season, his motivation for the playoffs is now under scrutiny. As the face of the franchise, Young is tasked with leading the team to a deep postseason run, but with the roster around him not being up to par, can he elevate his play and prove the doubters wrong?
Motivation is key for Young—if he is engaged and driven, he can carry the Hawks to a competitive series, even against the league’s top contenders. But if his interest wanes, or if he struggles under the playoff spotlight, the Hawks’ ceiling will be significantly lower.
16. Orlando Magic – Can Paolo Banchero And Franz Wagner Build Momentum?
The Orlando Magic’s emergence this season has been fueled by the dynamic duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. As a result, Orlando has found themselves in the playoff conversation—an exciting prospect for a young team. However, their success in the postseason will largely depend on whether Banchero and Wagner can carry the team to the next level.
With both players back to full health, the Magic have the potential to surprise some teams, but they need their stars to click at the right time. If Banchero (25.4 PPG) and Wagner (24.2 PPG) can build momentum and lead the charge, Orlando could be a tough out in the first round.
17. Phoenix Suns – Can Kevin Durant And Devin Booker Inspire One Last Run?
The Phoenix Suns will almost certainly have one last shot to make a playoff run with their current Big Three. Kevin Durant is likely out of Phoenix after this season, the Suns will try to find trade partners for Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker might be thrust into another rebuild next year.
However, there shouldn’t be any excess for the Big Three to not inspire one last run. The Suns have been poor all season, and to be fair, it isn’t a great look on the leadership of Durant and Booker. If Durant wants to prove he can be a winner without being on a superteam, he needs to show it now and at least make a push to get out of the first round.
18. Sacramento Kings – Is There Enough Star Power To Upset In The First Round?
The Kings no longer have their franchise star De’Aaron Fox, and that could be a major concern for them in the play-in tournament. Domantas Sabonis is a terrific big man and a true All-Star, but will he get enough help from the aging DeMar DeRozan and streaky Zach LaVine?
It won’t be easy for the Kings to make the postseason, but they need to get all three of their star players on the same page. LaVine and DeRozan haven’t impressed together in the playoffs when they were on the Bulls, so they have to step up in a major way this season.
19. Miami Heat – Can Anyone Other Than Bam Adebayo And Tyler Herro Step Up?
Perhaps the Miami Heat are still reeling from the Jimmy Butler trade. Butler was truly the heart and soul of the team because they almost fell to the lottery without him, but they have to move on fast. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro are still a very dynamic duo after all.
But the concern doesn’t lie with them. The Heat need to get Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Duncan Robinson firing on all cylinders to try to remain relevant in a likely very competitive play-in tournament. At the very least, it will be to give some momentum for next season.
20. Chicago Bulls – Can They Sneak Up On The Play-In Opponent?
Nobody is worried about the Chicago Bulls in the East, but that could work to their advantage. The Bulls will hope to fly under the radar and eventually sneak up on their opponents in the play-in tournament, but can they do that?
Will the Bulls have the desire, motivation, and hunger to take the dark horse role and challenge for every possession? Judging by their 32-40 record, that seems unlikely, but they have to overcome the odds in this sense.
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