Cleveland, July 31, 2025
News Summary
The Cleveland Cavaliers have finished at the top of the Eastern Conference with a remarkable record of 64-18, showcasing the league’s best offensive rating at 121.0. Despite strengths in offense, the team faces challenges on the defensive end, ranking eighth. Key offseason acquisitions include Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic also made notable performances, while several teams faced struggles. As the 2025-26 season approaches, power dynamics in the conference remain uncertain.
Cleveland has emerged as a dominant force in the Eastern Conference, finishing the 2024-25 NBA season with an impressive record of 64-18. This performance places the Cavaliers at the top of the conference standings, bolstered by the league’s best offensive rating of 121.0. However, despite their offensive prowess, the Cavaliers struggled defensively, ranking eighth in defensive rating with 111.8. Their net rating of +9.2 was notable, securing them the third position overall.
In the offseason, Cleveland made strategic moves by acquiring Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. to strengthen its roster. Nevertheless, the team must address its defensive weaknesses, especially highlighted by their performance against the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals, where they allowed an alarming 116.7 points per 100 possessions.
The New York Knicks secured a strong finish to the season with a record of 51-31. They posted an offensive rating of 117.3 (ranking fifth) and a defensive rating of 113.3 (thirteenth). Notably, the Knicks made key additions in Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, while maintaining their core roster. A significant change occurred on the bench with a coaching transition from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown, who is known for promoting superior ball movement within teams.
The Orlando Magic ended the season at 41-41, demonstrating a strong defensive strategy with a rating of 109.1 (second overall) but facing challenges offensively, ranking 27th with an offensive rating of 108.9. They welcomed Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones to their roster but saw the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony.
The Detroit Pistons showcased improvement, achieving a 44-38 record led by Cade Cunningham and notable offseason additions such as Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, while losing guard Dennis Schröder. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks struggled with a 40-42 record but made moves to strengthen their lineup, acquiring Kristaps Porziņģis and parting ways with Clint Capela.
The Milwaukee Bucks concluded the season at 48-34, reinforcing their team by adding Myles Turner while moving on from Damian Lillard after waiving his contract. In contrast, the Indiana Pacers faced a tumultuous offseason, losing star player Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles injury and declining options on Myles Turner while bringing in Jay Huff.
The Boston Celtics fell sharply, translating their championship status to a disappointing 37-45 record, navigating player losses and salary cap constraints, particularly seeing Jayson Tatum sidelined for an extended period. The Miami Heat aimed for a strategic overhaul of their offensive approach by signing Norman Powell while confronting issues of roster redundancy.
The Philadelphia 76ers reported a disappointing 24-58 record. Their struggles were primarily due to injuries sustained by key players Joel Embiid and Paul George, which severely impacted their performance. The Chicago Bulls are in a retooling phase, marking progress with the addition of Isaac Okoro after trading away Lonzo Ball. Finally, both the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards are in rebuilding stages, implementing substantial roster changes aimed at future improvements.
As the Eastern Conference prepares for the upcoming 2025-26 season, uncertainty looms with injuries affecting key teams and potential shifts in power dynamics across the conference.
Eastern Conference Teams Overview
| Team | Record | OffRtg | DefRtg | Key Additions | Key Departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 64-18 | 121.0 | 111.8 | Lonzo Ball, Larry Nance Jr. | Ty Jerome, Isaac Okoro |
| New York Knicks | 51-31 | 117.3 | 113.3 | Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele | None |
| Orlando Magic | 41-41 | 108.9 | 109.1 | Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones | Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony |
| Detroit Pistons | 44-38 | – | – | Caris LeVert, Duncan Robinson | Dennis Schröder |
| Atlanta Hawks | 40-42 | – | – | Kristaps Porziņģis | Clint Capela |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 48-34 | – | – | Myles Turner | Damian Lillard |
| Indiana Pacers | – | – | – | Jay Huff, others | Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner |
| Boston Celtics | 37-45 | – | – | – | Jayson Tatum, others |
| Miami Heat | – | – | – | Norman Powell | – |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 24-58 | – | – | – | Joel Embiid, Paul George |
| Chicago Bulls | – | – | – | Isaac Okoro | Lonzo Ball |
| Charlotte Hornets | – | – | – | – | – |
| Washington Wizards | – | – | – | – | – |
| Brooklyn Nets | – | – | – | Michael Porter Jr. | Cam Johnson |
FAQ
What was the Cleveland Cavaliers’ record in the 2024-25 season?
The Cleveland Cavaliers finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 64-18.
Who are the key additions for the Cavaliers this offseason?
The Cavaliers acquired Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr. as key additions for the upcoming season.
Which team had the second-best defensive rating in the Eastern Conference?
The Orlando Magic had the second-best defensive rating at 109.1 during the 2024-25 season.
What was the overall performance of the Philadelphia 76ers in the last season?
The Philadelphia 76ers finished the season with a disappointing record of 24-58, largely affected by injuries to key players.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NBA Offseason Power Rankings – East 2025
- NBA: Ranking 10 Best Players in East – 2025-26
- Indy Star: NBA Power Rankings – Eastern Conference
- ESPN: 2025 NBA Playoffs Takeaways
- SI: Mixed Reactions for Orlando Magic Next Season
