With ten games remaining, basketball fans have now turned their attention to the NBA Playoffs. After 72 games, pundits have a fairly clear sense of which sides are likely to be competing at the business end of the season. Still, with just three games separating third and sixth, there is plenty left to settle in the Western Conference.
From the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets, several teams possess the talent required to go all the way. Here, we assess how each side is built and decide whether they are genuine contenders or merely pretenders. For the latest bracket format and postseason structure, fans can also check the official NBA Playoffs guide.
NBA Playoffs: The Real Contenders Out West
Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 57-15
Status: Contender
The Thunder are living out the ideal scenario for any NBA supporter. They are the defending champions, boast a 27-year-old MVP who shows no sign of slowing down, and strengthened their rotation at the deadline by landing Jared McCain for what now looks like a bargain.
That said, Oklahoma City have encountered a few issues this season. All-Star Jalen Williams has featured in only 27 games because of wrist and hamstring problems, and the Thunder have already lost more games than they did across the whole of 2024/25. Even so, “J-Dub” has now returned, and the team is riding a 12-game winning streak. Come playoff time, Oklahoma City remain the outstanding favourite. You can read more in our Oklahoma City Thunder season review.
San Antonio Spurs
Record: 54-18
Status: Pretender
The Spurs are surging and have unquestionably been one of the league’s best teams this season. Led by Victor Wembanyama, they have won 24 of their last 27 games to move within three games of top spot in the Western Conference. Supporting the French star are De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. San Antonio has assembled a hugely talented squad capable of making real noise in the playoffs.
However, their lack of postseason experience makes a trip to the NBA Finals feel unlikely. The Spurs appear well-placed to consistently challenge for titles over the next decade, but teams rarely win it all before collecting a few playoff scars. Wembanyama is special, but even Michael Jordan spent years falling short against Detroit before becoming the iconic playoff force he is remembered as today. Success is coming in San Antonio, though they may still need to earn their battle wounds first. For a broader look at their rise, see our San Antonio Spurs rebuild analysis.
LA Lakers
Record: 46-26
Status: Pretender
The Lakers are led by Luka Dončić, supported by breakout star Austin Reaves and future Hall of Famer LeBron James, and arrive on the back of a nine-game winning streak. On that basis, branding them pretenders may seem harsh. Yet after last year’s postseason collapse, there is still little confidence that LA’s defence will hold up under playoff pressure.
Having three below-par defenders on the floor for long stretches is unlikely to work when opponents can relentlessly target weaknesses over a seven-game series. The playoffs present a very different challenge, and the Lakers have not yet built a roster around Dončić that looks ready to thrive on the biggest stage. Their current standing can be tracked via the NBA Western Conference standings.
Denver Nuggets
Record: 44-28
Status: Contender
The Nuggets have endured a turbulent campaign. Injuries to almost every key player have forced them to limp through large parts of the regular season. It is to their credit — and a reflection of improved depth — that they still sit fourth with 44 wins. Now fully fit for the first time in months, Denver must build momentum quickly before the playoffs begin.
Aaron Gordon’s hamstring injury severely limited him during last season’s postseason and has restricted him to only 30 games this year. His fitness will be crucial if the Nuggets are to be taken seriously as contenders. They also need Nikola Jokić to rediscover his MVP level. Since returning from injury, the Serbian’s scoring output has dipped. Denver has merit contender status because of their championship pedigree, but plenty still has to fall into place before the postseason. More on that in our Denver Nuggets playoff readiness report.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 44-28
Status: Contender
The Timberwolves look built for the postseason, so their underwhelming regular season does not significantly diminish their playoff potential. Last year, Minnesota finished as the sixth seed but defeated the Lakers and Warriors to reach the Conference Finals. If fully healthy, Anthony Edwards and company will once again be a serious threat.
Fitness, however, could become a major concern. Edwards recently suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss two to three weeks. That absence could stretch into the postseason and would be a serious blow for the Wolves. If they can get “Ant-Man” back to full fitness before the playoffs begin, expect Minnesota to be a dangerous opponent for any top seed. For more, visit our Minnesota Timberwolves playoff preview.
Houston Rockets
Record: 43-28
Status: Pretender
Houston’s hopes of genuine contention took a major hit when Fred VanVleet tore his ACL before the season got underway. That left second-year guard Reed Sheppard as the Rockets’ only natural ball-handler. Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant have handled much of the playmaking burden, but with only mixed success. Sheppard has now been handed a starting role, though that does leave Houston more vulnerable defensively.
Beyond Durant, this remains a very young side. Even so, after finishing as the second seed and losing to the Warriors in seven games last season, the Rockets were widely expected to mount a serious challenge this year. Unless they show meaningful progress in the playoffs, there will be major questions to answer in the off-season.