THE NBA The 2023-24 playoffs are nearly dozens of games away and some of the league’s best teams have already started their preparations. Although the full playoff picture has not yet been announced, several Eastern Conference teams have secured their playoff spots.
Among them are the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks and the LA Clippers, whose presence was expected. However, there have also been some surprising participants in the NBA playoffs this season.
With that in mind, here are five NBA teams that quietly sneaked into the 2024 playoffs.
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5 Sleeper NBA Teams That Sneaked Into the 2024 NBA Playoffs
#1 New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have been one of the best teams in the league since the start of the season. The availability of Zion Williamson has been the most important factor in the Pelicans’ success this season. Unlike other teams like the LA Lakers, LA Clippers, and Phoenix Suns, the Pelicans don’t make headlines.
However, they have won 46 of their 72 games so far and rank fifth in the Western Conference. In March alone, the Pelicans played eight games and won seven.
#2 Sacramento Kings
It wasn’t that long ago that the Sacramento Kings weren’t considered a good team in the league. It was only the last season that De’Aaron Fox and company reached the playoffs after 17 years.
Last season, the Kings reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 NBA season. This season, they are currently ranked 6th in the East with a 39-28 record.
#3 Indiana Pacers
Historically, the Indiana Pacers have not been as successful as many teams in the league. After the departure of Reggie Miller, a potential revival came when they recruited Paul George to the team. The Pacers’ last success came in the 2018 season when they took LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the Eastern Conference.
After the acquisition of the Pacers Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings during the 2021-22 season. They were also the best offensive team in the NBA for a very long time.
Currently, the Pacers are ranked 7th in the Eastern Conference with a 38-31 record. With 13 games left this season, they have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs. The Pacers are just three games behind the fourth seed.
#4 New York Knicks
We often thought that the relevance of the New York Knicks was good for the NBA. In recent years, especially after the Carmelo Anthony era, the Knicks haven’t really been that big in the league.
Over the past 10 seasons, the Knicks have only made the playoffs twice. They also only won one playoff series, against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yet after many failed seasons, the Knicks are finally relevant. The Knicks are the fourth seed in the East and one of the most underrated teams to make the playoffs. They rank 4th in the East with a 41-27 record and are already qualified for the playoffs.
#5 The magic of Orlando
THE Magic of Orlando haven’t had this much success in the league since the Dwight Howard era. This season, they have improved their overall performance, both in defense and attack. Coming into the season, the Magic were one of the best teams in the league in terms of defense.
Their inclusion in the playoffs is not surprising given their quality of play. However, given their past, this is one of the biggest leaks.
Over the past 10 seasons, the Magic have only made the playoffs twice, most recently in 2020. However, they have not won a playoff series in the past decade.
The Magic are already qualified for the playoffs and rank fifth in the Eastern Conference. So far in the season, they are 41-28.
