The Atlantic Division has typically been one of the strongest divisions in the NBA over the last decade, although last year was certainly a down year for everyone except the Celtics and Knicks.
This is going to be a weird year in the Atlantic, largely because the Celtics will be without star forward Jayson Tatum for the entire season, which is sure to complicate the order. There’s also plenty of uncertainty surrounding the 76ers, who had a horrific year last season without former MVP Joel Embiid for most of it. Embiid is back, but questions still surround a team that won just 24 games last season.
Here’s how I believe things will shake out in the Atlantic this season, as Ballislife tips off its preseason NBA coverage. Next up: the Central Division. The NBA’s regular season commences Tuesday, October 21.
Atlantic Division Projected Order Of Finish/Record:
New York Knicks: 53-29
Philadelphia 76ers: 43-39
Boston Celtics: 41-41
Toronto Raptors: 34-48
Brooklyn Nets: 21-61
New York Knicks
Last season: 51-31
Predicted 2025-26 record: 53-29
Tier: Title contenders
Write up: The Knicks’ first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years wasn’t enough to save Tom Thibodeau’s job, but they’ll still be one of–if not the most formidable force in the Eastern Conference this season, given the unfortunate injury circumstances plaguing two top contenders in the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.
Year two of the Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns partnership should be a bit smoother than the first, and new coach Mike Brown’s superior offensive creativity, in comparison to Thibodeau, should bode well for the pair. The Cavaliers are the biggest threat to a potential NBA Finals in New York, but the 2024-25 postseason proved the bracket can get thrown off the rails at any moment.
All in all, I’m expecting a two-game regular season improvement for the Knicks that will translate to the No. 3 seed in the East and potentially a deep postseason run. But you’ll have to read the upcoming playoff preview to see those predictions.
Philadelphia 76ers
Last season: 24-58
Predicted 2025-26 record: 43-39
Tier: Win now or blow it up
Write up: Joel Embiid is entering training camp healthy (as he possibly can be) and ready to go for opening day, barring any setbacks. Maybe Embiid won’t return to his previous MVP form, but his absence last season proved that he might be the single most important player to one team’s operation in the entire league.
With Embiid spending nearly the entirety of the season mostly hobbled or sidelined completely, the 76ers limped to a 24-58 record last season. Even with the services of “Podcast” Paul George. Despite the fact that Embiid was laboring in many of his appearances last season, the Sixers still went an improved 8-11 even while he struggled to make it to the finish line.
If Embiid truly is healthy, I expect him and Podcast P to gel well enough to at least finish above .500 and compete for a playoff spot. If the former MVP can’t get right, we could be looking at a repeat disaster in the City of Brotherly Love. At least Philly has the Eagles.
Boston Celtics
Last season: 61-21
Predicted 2025-26 record: 41-41
Tier: Navigating injuries
Write up: The Boston Celtics are left with a miserable situation ahead of the 2025-26 season, as they essentially know before the season’s opening tip that it’s a lost campaign after Jayson Tatum’s fateful Achilles tear in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Knowing the season is lost, ownership also decided to sell off many of the team’s key supporting veterans in an effort to stay under the second apron.
Kristaps Porzingis, gone. Jrue Holiday, see ya. Al Horford, well, his bags are packed. But the Jonathan Kuminga hostage situation in Golden State is holding back a reported handshake agreement between Horford and the Warriors to make that his next and perhaps final step in the NBA.
Regardless, Joe Mazzulla still runs an incredibly tight ship in Beantown and despite losing several of those key players, he still has Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons and a roster of serviceable hoopers that are auditioning for a role on the A Team when the big dog Tatum returns. I see this team reaching the .500 mark out of pure, Mazulla-driven spite.
Toronto Raptors
Last season: 30-52
Predicted 2025-26 record: 37-45
Tier: Improving, but not quite .500
Write up: The Toronto Raptors were an interesting team last season in the sense that they actually had more young depth than a lot of NBA teams that were much better all around, but they were a team comprised nearly entirely of players that would serve as serviceable-to-good starters or role players on better teams. No stars, no real load-carriers. They did, however, have seven players who averaged double-figures in scoring with 30+ appearances. For context, both participants in last year’s NBA Finals each had the same amount.
The Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram at the trade deadline last February, adding one of the game’s most versatile scorers to a lineup that already presented more options than many would have expected. Scottie Barnes is turning into a high-level two-way talent and R.J Barrett has grown into a 20-point scorer himself. I don’t think this team is ready for a playoff push yet, but I do forecast at least seven more wins than the 30 it tallied last season, and I wouldn’t be too shocked if they hit 40.
Brooklyn Nets
Last season: 26-56
Predicted 2025-26 record: 21-61
Tier: Bad
Write up: Things are, for lack of a better description, not very good in Brooklyn right now. The franchise has no general direction, it’s in a standoff with its best scorer (Cam Thomas), and the offseason highlight was the acquisition of perhaps the goofiest star in the NBA in Michael Porter Jr., on a contract so bad that it was a genuine surprise Denver was able to offload it.
If you’re a Nets fan, keep hoping for better days. Or just become a Knicks fan. This season is cooked.
