The Eastern Conference was rattled in the 2025 NBA playoffs as three of the league’s brightest stars tore their Achilles in a two-month span. Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton will all miss significant time, if they can come back at all this season. Their absence has disrupted the hierarchy of the conference, making it very difficult to predict who’s going to come out on top.
But I’m going to try anyways.
No. 6 Boston Celtics
In just a year’s time, the Boston Celtics went from one of the most dominant champions in NBA history, to people questioning if they would even make the playoffs. Tatum’s injury and their eventual loss in the playoffs this summer marked the end of an era for Boston. The second apron hit the Celtics hard, forcing them to part ways with several key players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Jaylen Brown will now have to be the first option; which he has never had to do in his career. While it does seem that Tatum is recovering remarkably quickly from his injury, it will still be a long time before we see the five-time All-NBA selection on the floor. Despite the major roster turnover, the Celtics still have plenty talent in the likes of Team USA member Derrick White, Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons.
No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo has led Milwaukee Bucks in win shares every year since 2016. In that same stretch the Bucks have yet to miss the playoffs. After losing in game five and being eliminated by the Pacers, the Bucks waived Lillard in July, leaving many wondering how the Bucks will fare in the East. The Bucks signed Indiana’s Myles Turner to play the five after parting ways with Brook Lopez in the off season. Turner offers an upgrade defensively and can stretch the floor to make room for Antetokounmpo to attack the basket. Milwaukee will likely need to make another move at the trade deadline and get a real second option to get this team over the hump, but having a two-time MVP and NBA Champion on your roster will definitely keep you in the mix.
No. 4 Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons finished as the sixth best team in the East last year with a record of 44-38. Cade Cunningham took the leap that the franchise was hoping for when they drafted him in 2021 with the No. 1 overall pick, being named to the All-NBA third team and leading the team with 26 points per game. Cunningham led the team to its first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season, where they lost in round one to the Knicks. Detroit acquired former Michigan teammates Duncan Robinson and Caris Levert in the summer to round out their rotation and strengthen the team’s ability to shoot from three. With the new roster editions and a bonafide star in Cunningham, the Pistons have the chance to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the conference.
No. 3 Orlando Magic
Despite being without Paolo Banchero for a large portion of the season last year, the Orlando Magic still managed to finish with an even .500 record, before losing to Boston in the first round of the playoffs. Orlando was the best defensive team in the NBA last year while simultaneously being a bottom five offense in points per game. The Magic addressed those offensive issues by making a trade for Desmond Bane. Bane was a near 40% three-point shooter with the Memphis Grizzlies last year averaging nearly 20 per game. His presence on the back court should alleviate some of the pressure off point guard Jalen Suggs. Should this Orlando team stay healthy, they will be very dangerous in the East.
No. 2 New York Knicks
The New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau this summer after making a run to the Eastern Conference Finals, in a decision that was reportedly made before the playoffs began. The Knicks scrambled to find a coach and landed on two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown. It will be interesting to see how star point guard Jalen Brunson plays with a new coach. Brunson went from a 16 points per game scorer to a true number one option and an All-NBA level talent under Thibodeau. The Knicks have emerged as the most talented team in the conference after the deconstruction of the Celtics roster. In the offseason they bolstered their roster with the additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Jordan Clarkson, adding much-needed depth they were missing last year.
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers
After winning a league-best 64 games last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have positioned themselves to have another big year. All-NBA first team selection Donovan Mitchell, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and Darius Garland who averaged 20 points per game (may miss time with injury) make up the nucleus, while De’Andre Hunter and Jarrett Allen round out the starting five. Not only did they return almost all of the team’s most important players, but Cleveland also brought in some impact role players in free agency. The Cavaliers traded Isaac Okoro in exchange for Lonzo Ball who returned from injury last season and signed Larry Nance Jr. to upgrade on the defensive end. With Boston knocked down a peg, the East should be for the Cavs’ taking.