NBA Playoffs Contenders Emerge as Regular Season Winds Down

Breaking down the top 3 teams from each conference poised to make a run at the championship

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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With about five weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, the contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy are starting to take shape. The last seven seasons have seen seven different champions, and this year looks to continue that trend. The Knicks, Cavaliers, and Celtics are the top Eastern Conference contenders, while the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets lead the West. The Timberwolves are also mentioned as a potential dark horse.

Why it matters

As the NBA playoffs approach, identifying the top teams in each conference is crucial for fans and analysts to understand the landscape and potential matchups. This breakdown provides insight into the strengths, weaknesses, and key storylines surrounding the leading contenders, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.

The details

In the Eastern Conference, the Knicks are seen as a team “lying in wait” to make a deep playoff run after reaching the conference finals last season. The Cavaliers made a big trade for James Harden and are looking to bounce back after a first-round exit last year, while the Celtics have emerged as a surprise contender despite key injuries. In the West, the defending champion Thunder remain the favorites, but the Spurs and their 7’5” phenom Victor Wembanyama have quickly become a force to be reckoned with. The Nuggets, led by MVP-caliber Nikola Jokic, are also in the mix, though injuries to key players like Aaron Gordon could hold them back.

  • The NBA regular season has about 5 weeks remaining.
  • The Knicks are currently 0-3 against the Pistons and 5 1/2 games behind them through March 6.
  • Jayson Tatum returned to the Celtics lineup on March 6 after missing time with a torn Achilles.
  • The Spurs recently won 11 games in a row, with Victor Wembanyama leading the charge.
  • Nikola Jokic missed 16 straight games for the Nuggets due to a left knee injury before returning in late January.

The players

Jalen Brunson

A key player for the Knicks who is looking for revenge after last season’s playoff loss to the Pacers.

Donovan Mitchell

The Cavaliers’ star player who struggled with an ankle injury in last year’s playoffs.

Jaylen Brown

Has helped the Celtics become the biggest surprise of the season and is drawing MVP consideration.

Jalen Williams

A former All-Star for the Thunder who missed the first 24 games of the season due to injury.

Victor Wembanyama

The 7’5” Frenchman who has led the Spurs’ surprising rise and is poised to win a title in the near future.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This breakdown of the top NBA playoff contenders highlights the parity and unpredictability of the league, with several teams from each conference poised to make a run at the championship. The emergence of young stars like Victor Wembanyama and the continued excellence of veterans like Nikola Jokic make for an exciting playoff picture as the regular season winds down.