NBA Regular Season Wrap: Rockets and Cavaliers Thrive, Knicks and Spurs Struggle
The 2025-26 NBA regular season has concluded, setting the stage for the Play-In Tournament beginning Tuesday and the playoffs on Saturday. Here's a breakdown of the winners and losers from the final day. Winners: Houston Rockets: Once seen as vulnerable, the Rockets now head into the playoffs on a hot streak, winning nine of their last ten games. They face a banged-up Los Angeles Lakers team missing key players like Austin Reaves and likely Luka Dončić. This matchup is a significant advantage for Houston, who avoided a first-round clash with the Denver Nuggets. Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs benefit from a favorable draw, facing the Toronto Raptors, the weakest playoff team in the East. They also avoided the Boston Celtics, potentially allowing them a smoother path to the conference finals. Portland Trail Blazers: Securing the No. 8 seed with a win over the Sacramento Kings, the Blazers now have two chances to win one game in the Play-In Tournament instead of needing two straight wins. Milwaukee Bucks: With Doc Rivers reportedly out as head coach, this change may help retain star Giannis Antetokounmpo and signals a shift towards improvement. Losers: New York Knicks: Set to face the Atlanta Hawks instead of the Raptors, the Knicks encounter a team that has been performing well, complicating their playoff journey despite their favorable season. San Antonio Spurs: By resting Victor Wembanyama in their loss to the Nuggets, the Spurs missed an opportunity to alter their playoff positioning, now facing a tougher road ahead. Orlando Magic: A loss to the Boston Celtics ended their hopes for a guaranteed playoff berth, dropping them to the No. 8 seed and a challenging matchup against the 76ers. As the playoffs approach, these outcomes set the tone for what promises to be an exciting postseason.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-13