Playoff Race Final Week: 9 Teams Clinched, Seeds Still Fluid

Nine teams have punched their playoff tickets with a week to go, but almost nothing is settled. The Pistons are the 1 seed in the East at 57-21 — their first since 2007 — while the Thunder hold the top spot out West.

The Nuggets jumping the Lakers for the 3 seed is the biggest recent shakeup. Denver has won 9 straight behind Jokic's latest triple-double tear, while LA is in freefall without Luka Doncic (hamstring, getting treatment in Spain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 oblique strain, out 4-6 weeks).

The Eastern play-in race is chaos. The Hawks, Raptors, 76ers, Hornets, Magic, and Heat are all fighting for four spots. Miami's 26-point loss to Toronto tonight pushed them closer to the edge. Out West, the Wolves can clinch with a Suns loss, but Anthony Edwards' knee makes their ceiling uncertain regardless of seeding.

The play-in starts April 14. First round tips April 18. Buckle up.