NBA playoff race heats up: Five teams facing the toughest schedules after the 2025 All-Star break

Now that the 2025 All-Star Game is done and dusted, NBA teams are wasting no time strategising for the crucial final stretch of the season. However, some franchises face particularly daunting matchups as they battle for seeding.

According to The Playoffs News, the Tankathon SOS rankings have identified five teams with the most challenging schedules post-All-Star break.

1. Phoenix Suns

Record: 26-28 (11th seed at the All-Star break)

Toughest Opponents: Two games each against the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies, plus one game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder

According to reports, the Phoenix Suns have struggled this season and find themselves just outside the play-in tournament spots. Their recent losses to Portland and Charlotte have further complicated their situation.

With the hardest schedule post-break, their playoff dreams are hanging by a thread.

2. Sacramento Kings

Record: 28-27 (9th seed at the All-Star break)

Toughest Opponents: Eight games against top-three seeds from both conferences

The Sacramento Kings are in a precarious position, having posted a 5-5 record in their last ten games. Without De'Aaron Fox, their lineup—featuring Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan—faces an uphill battle.

Currently sitting 3.5 games behind the sixth seed, the Kings need a significant winning streak to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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3. Denver Nuggets

Record: 36-19 (3rd seed at the All-Star break)

Toughest Opponents: Two games against Oklahoma City Thunder, one against Boston Celtics

According to The Playoffs News, the Denver Nuggets have been one of the strongest teams of the 2025 season, having lost only six times so far.

However, with tough fixtures against Memphis and Houston ahead, their seeding could change drastically. The defending champions must navigate a taxing schedule to secure their playoff position.

4. Memphis Grizzlies

Record: 36-18 (2nd seed at the All-Star break)

Toughest Opponents: Two games against Oklahoma City Thunder, two games against Cleveland Cavaliers

The Memphis Grizzlies, who suffered severe injury setbacks throughout the 2023-24 season, have made a strong recovery.

However, securing the second seed will be no easy task, as they face stiff competition from the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets. With crucial matchups against some of the league’s best teams, every game is a must-win.

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5. Los Angeles Clippers

Record: 31-23 (6th seed at the All-Star break)

Toughest Opponents: Nine games against five of the top-seeded teams from both conferences

The final stretch of games for the LA Clippers started well, with three consecutive wins before the break. However, the team has endured a turbulent season, particularly with Kawhi Leonard’s on-and-off presence over the past ten games.

New signings Ben Simmons and Drew Eubanks add depth as the Clippers push for a top-six finish.

FAQs

1. What is the NBA's Strength of Schedule (SOS)?
The Strength of Schedule (SOS) metric estimates how difficult a team’s remaining fixtures are based on their opponents' records. The higher the SOS ranking, the tougher the schedule.


2. Why is the schedule particularly challenging for the Phoenix Suns?
The Suns face an uphill battle to reach the playoffs, with crucial games against elite teams such as the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder.