The 2024-25 NBA season is entering its final stretch, with most teams having less than 30 games left before the playoffs.

NBA Championship (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
In the coming weeks, teams will either push hard for a playoff spot or, for contenders, start preparing for a championship run.

After winning their 18th NBA title last season, the Boston Celtics face a tough road to another championship, with strong contenders in both conferences standing in their way.

Here are the top NBA Championship contenders:

5. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies currently hold third place in the Western Conference following a strong finish to the first half of the season before the All-Star break. Despite their position, Memphis isn’t widely regarded as a serious contender and has the fourth-highest betting odds in the West to win the NBA Finals. Regardless of these odds, the Grizzlies have assembled a roster capable of making a deep playoff run. With their team finally healthy, this could be the season where Memphis makes a significant impact once the postseason begins.

4. Boston Celtics

Even though some believe the Boston Celtics have underperformed this season, the formula strongly favors their potential as they approach the final stretch. With a star-studded roster, it’s arguable that the team hasn’t yet reached its peak. They’re on track to win nearly 60 games, and their best performance might still be ahead, posing a significant threat to other Eastern Conference teams.
Kristaps Porzingis, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White of Boston Celtics (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The Celtics boast one of the league’s best-starting fives and are the only team with top 5 rankings in offensive rating, defensive rating, and net rating at the All-Star break. Nearly every metric supports the Celtics, and that momentum isn’t likely to fade soon. As defending NBA champions, they might shift to an even higher gear heading into the postseason.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the most consistent team in the Western Conference this season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a top contender for his first NBA MVP, competing closely with Nikola Jokic, and he has the Thunder performing at an exceptionally high level as the season’s final stretch approaches. The Thunder ranks sixth in offensive rating, first in defensive rating, and hold the top spot in net rating, making them one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.

The big challenge for the Thunder is proving that they can carry this regular-season success into the playoffs. After struggling against the more experienced Dallas Mavericks last season, they need to demonstrate that they can compete at the highest level when it matters most. If they can perform in the postseason, the Thunder could certainly take a major step toward mainstream recognition and success.

2. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers made a historic move before the trade deadline by acquiring Luka Doncic in a blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks. Pairing Doncic with LeBron James instantly boosts confidence in JJ Redick’s squad, even with their noticeable weakness in the frontcourt. With two of the league’s top players on the floor together, the Lakers have the potential to defy expectations, especially given Doncic’s and James’s knack for making plays out of difficult situations. If any team can overcome a major flaw, it’s this Lakers lineup.

1. Denver Nuggets

After a slow and worrying start to the season, the Denver Nuggets have bounced back strongly over the past few months. Since mid-December, they’ve played well enough to be considered the biggest threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. However, it will be interesting to see if they have the stamina and depth to make another NBA championship run with this core, making it one of the key storylines to watch as the season winds down.
Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
Despite their offensive strength, the Nuggets have some concerning stats. They are an elite offensive team but only average (at best) on defense. Although they have a solid net rating, their defense will need to improve if they hope to reach the conference finals or go further. Interestingly, even with their recent improved play, their defensive stats haven’t significantly gotten better, which is a worrying sign.