As the 2025 NBA Playoffs begin,
the Western Conference presents no shortage of compelling
narratives and unanswered questions. Each team comes in with a
storyline that could define their entire postseason. From young
squads making their playoff debut to experienced rosters led by
superstars, here’s the biggest question facing each Western
Conference playoff team.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Can their historic defense carry
over to the playoffs?
The Oklahoma City Thunder have
fielded the league’s best defense this season, boasting a 106.6
defensive rating — the lowest mark in the NBA and one of the best
over the past decade. Anchored by a core of versatile perimeter
defenders like Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, and MVP
candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, along with interior enforcer
Isaiah Hartenstein and shot blocker Chet Holmgren, the Thunder
built a defensive identity predicated on length, switchability, and
relentless pressure.
But as history has shown,
regular-season defense doesn’t always translate to playoff
dominance. Matchups become more intentional, rotations tighten, and
elite scorers are given room to manipulate even the best schemes.
For a team like OKC that leans heavily on team defense rather than
individual stoppers, their system will be tested in a postseason
series where adjustments are key. Moreover, the Thunder’s youth –
despite being a strength in the regular season – may also be a
vulnerability when the game slows down and every possession is
magnified.
This Thunder squad has the
makings of a historically great defense, but now comes the true
test: whether that same system can hold up when a superstar like
Luka Doncic or Steph Curry start hunting matchups in isolation. If
OKC can sustain their defensive intensity in a seven-game series,
their path to a deep run remains wide open.
Houston Rockets — Will their inexperience hinder them
from going too far?
After years of rebuilding, the
Houston Rockets are finally back in the playoffs — and this time,
with a young core brimming with talent. Alperen Sengun, Jalen
Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson are all making their
playoff debuts, and they’ve formed a competitive group that
finished with the fifth-best defense in the league (110.3 DRtg) and
earned the second seed. Their turnaround under head coach Ime Udoka
has been remarkable, fueled by a defense-first identity and the
emergence of Sengun as one of the best passing bigs in the
league.
However, playoff basketball is a
different beast. It’s about adjustments, discipline, and poise
under pressure – things young teams usually need time to learn. In
their first-round matchup, the Rockets face the battle-tested
Golden State Warriors, a team that features championship experience
across the board. Houston’s youth could be exposed if the moment
becomes too big, especially with Golden State’s ability to dissect
inexperience through smart off-ball actions and defensive
schemes.
Players like Fred VanVleet and
Dillon Brooks, the Rockets’ veterans, will be counted on to provide
leadership and stabilize the team when things go sideways. But this
postseason will ultimately serve as a litmus test for how ready the
Rockets’ young stars are to take the leap. Even if they fall short,
the experience could be invaluable moving forward.
Los Angeles Lakers — How viable is their roster
construction?
The Lakers shocked the league by
acquiring Luka Doncic midseason, pairing him with LeBron James and
Austin Reaves to form a high-powered offensive trio. Since then,
they’ve leaned heavily into small-ball, often starting lineups with
Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith alongside the core trio,
while Jaxson Hayes remains their only true center. First-year head
coach JJ Redick has installed a modern, five-out system that
prioritizes spacing and switchable defense — a style tailor-made
for the postseason.
But viability is still a
concern. While the offense has thrived, their defense has some
slippages, particularly when LeBron and Luka are on the floor
together. Their lack of rim protection and size could be exploited
by teams that boast elite drivers to the rim. Additionally, the
wear-and-tear of postseason play could take a toll on their aging
core, especially LeBron, who is playing his 22nd season and logging
heavy minutes in the postseason
Ultimately, the Lakers’ playoff
ceiling hinges on whether their current roster configuration –
heavy on wings, light on bigs – can hold up when the game slows
down and physicality ramps up. If it works, Redick could be hailed
as a tactical genius. If it doesn’t, questions about roster balance
and long-term direction will resurface.
Denver Nuggets — Do they have enough help around Nikola
Jokic?
Nikola Jokic is once again doing
everything for the Denver Nuggets — and doing it at an MVP level.
He finished the regular season averaging a triple-double and top 3
in every major statistical category. His ability to control the
game as both scorer and facilitator remains unmatched, and he
remains the engine of everything Denver does offensively. But after
a sluggish finish to the season, the biggest concern for the
Nuggets is whether Jokic has enough help to mount another deep
playoff run.
Jamal Murray has battled through
injuries and hasn’t quite looked like the same dynamic scorer from
their 2023 championship run. Michael Porter Jr. has been
inconsistent, while Aaron Gordon’s offensive impact has waned due
to multiple injuries. Denver’s bench has also taken a step back
this year, with limited contributions outside of Russell Westbrook,
Julian Strawther and Peyton Watson.
If Murray can elevate his game
and Porter Jr. can knock down shots consistently, Denver remains a
title threat. But the margin for error is much slimmer than last
year. Jokic can only carry so much weight – the Nuggets need their
supporting cast to deliver, or another early exit could be
looming.
Los Angeles Clippers — Can we see James Harden and Kawhi
Leonard lead this team to playoff glory?
After losing Paul George to free
agency last summer, many assumed the Clippers’ title window had
slammed shut. But the resurgence of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard
has breathed life back into their playoff hopes. Harden has
embraced the role of primary playmaker, averaging 22.8 points and
8.7 assists per game, while Leonard has quietly had one of the most
efficient scoring seasons of his career in recent years, shooting
49.8% from the field and 41.1% from deep.
The Clippers finished the season
strong with their offense clicking and defense holding steady. Yet
the question remains – can their two stars carry them through the
gauntlet of the Western Conference? Leonard’s health has always
been a question mark, and Harden’s playoff track record has been a
mixed bag at best.
This postseason may be one of
the last chances for this iteration of the Clippers to make a real
push. If Harden and Kawhi can replicate their regular-season
success and stay healthy, they could make noise. Along with steady
role players like Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers are
darkhorse contenders and will be dangerous out in the
West.
Minnesota Timberwolves — How will Julius Randle perform
in the playoffs?
Minnesota shocked many by
acquiring Julius Randle at the trade deadline, moving on from
Karl-Anthony Towns in the process. The Wolves hoped that Randle, a
more physical and downhill-oriented forward, would provide a better
playoff fit alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. However,
Randle’s postseason history raises concerns — in 15 career playoff
games, he’s averaged just 15.6 points on 34.4% shooting from the
field.
Minnesota will need more than
that if they hope to build on last year’s conference finals run.
Randle must adapt his game to playoff basketball, where defenses
are better prepared and isolation-heavy play often becomes less
efficient. His ability to stretch the floor, make quick decisions,
and play through contact will be tested, especially against elite
defenses like OKC.
If Randle rises to the occasion,
Minnesota could have one of the most balanced starting fives in the
conference. But if he reverts to his inefficient playoff habits,
the Wolves could find themselves stalling in critical moments – a
risk that looms large in what could be a defining postseason for
the franchise.
Golden State Warriors — How far can Jimmy Butler take
them?
The Warriors made arguably the
boldest trade of the deadline by acquiring Jimmy Butler from Miami,
forming a star duo with Stephen Curry. Since the move, Golden State
has looked rejuvenated, going on a tear to close the regular season
and boasting the third-best net rating in the league during that
span (+7.2). Butler’s leadership, defense, and shot creation have
given the Warriors a legitimate second option and re-energized
their playoff outlook.
Butler has a proven playoff
track record – he led the Heat to two Finals appearances in four
years – and is widely regarded as one of the most clutch postseason
performers. His fit with Golden State has been seamless, and the
team’s defense has improved significantly, ranking 6th in opponent
points per game since the trade. The question is how far Butler can
carry this version of the Warriors, who still lean heavily on their
aging core.
If Butler can replicate his past
postseason heroics and stay healthy, the Warriors have a real shot
to upset higher-seeded teams and return to the Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies — Can they survive this tough
season?
No team has faced more adversity
this year than the Memphis Grizzlies. Between Ja Morant’s on-court
antics, injuries to key players, and coaching instability and
firing, Memphis stumbled to a slump at the end of the regular
season but managed to squeak into the playoffs as the 8-seed.
Despite the chaos, the team has shown remarkable resilience, with
Jaren Jackson Jr. and rookie Zach Edey emerging as bright spots
with their improved play.
Now they face the top-seeded
Thunder in a first-round matchup that few give them a chance to
win. But if there’s one thing the Grizzlies have shown, it’s that
they won’t go down without a fight. Their defense could keep them
competitive, and their physical style of play may pose problems for
the Thunder.
Ultimately, the playoffs may
serve more as a building block than a real title push. But if
Memphis can steal a game or two — or even push OKC to the brink —
it would be a testament to the team’s grit and foundation heading
into next season.
