NBA Playoffs underrated teams

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are right around the corner.

Each year, most fans have their eyes on the top title contenders. This year, that group features teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.

But, what about the teams not garnering much discussion?

Here are two teams viewed as “sleepers” that are flying under the radar and could make a run in this year’s playoffs.

Western Conference sleeper: Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers are the No. 5 seed in the West after finishing the season 50-32.

They’ve been on a tear as of late, finishing the season with a record of 18-3 since March 5, the best record in the league in that span.

A surprising star for the Clippers this season has been big man Ivica Zubac, who averaged career highs in points, rebounds and assists. His stellar play has made him a candidate for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Speaking of stars, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden each won Western Conference Player of the Week to end the season.

The Clippers’ defense has also been stellar. Besides the aforementioned Ivica Zubac, players like Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. have stepped up on the defensive end.

Both were offseason pickups the Clippers resorted to after losing Paul George in free agency.

One concern for the Clippers is their lack of depth off the bench. Behind Ben Simmons and Drew Eubanks, no names really jump off the page. But, if their top guys continue to step up, a lack of depth will be the least of their worries.

The big question for the Clippers in the playoffs always revolves around the health of Kawhi Leonard. If he can stay on the floor, Los Angeles could be a team that can make things challenging for the top teams in the bracket.

Their first round opponent, the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets, surprisingly fired head coach Mike Malone last week, and Denver has not looked as dominant as they have in recent years.

There’s no stopping Nikola Jokić, but it’s worth noting that he’s averaged a lower field-goal, two-point and true shooting percentage against the Clippers than any other team over the last two seasons. Regardless, the Clippers will aim to limit every other player on the roster not named Jokić.

If they can do that, they can win this series and be a threat to other teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder in round two and beyond.

Eastern Conference sleeper: Indiana Pacers

Last year, nobody expected the six-seeded Pacers to make the Eastern Conference Finals, but a year later they enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the East and are ready to go back.

Like last season, they’ll start things out against the Milwaukee Bucks and they could definitely eliminate Milwaukee once again.

Their best player this season has been Pascal Siakam. The All Star is averaging a team-leading 20.2 points and 6.9 rebounds.

Tyrese Haliburton had an off year, averaging just 18.6 points compared to at least 20 points the two prior seasons, but he made up for it with his efforts on the defensive end. He’s also the team leader in assists at 9.2 per night.

The Pacers also have a nice mix of veterans and youth. Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin both average at least 15 points. Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin and Andrew Nembhard also score in double-digits.

Another veteran that showed out last year was T.J. McConnell, and him stepping up again in the 2025 Playoffs could help the Pacers.

Referring back to last year’s playoffs, Indiana stunned the No. 2 seed New York Knicks by eliminating them in seven games, proving they can go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the conference.

Another series win against Milwaukee would mean they likely face the East’s top seed, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the second round.

While it seems crazy to think about, the Pacers’ depth could definitely match up with Cleveland’s and be the reason they take out another top seed, but time will tell.

Adam Pietrzak is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email app5940@psu.edu.