It’s been a strange season for teams in the middle of the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n
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Published Mar 24, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
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Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Most of the Eastern Conference\u2019s final playoff and play-in contenders have been as mediocre as you can get in recent weeks, but one squad has been soaring up like a rocket.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Atlanta Hawks have gone from barely clinging to the final play-in spot at the all-star break in mid-February, to nipping at the heels of the Toronto Raptors, having already passed four other teams. That\u2019s what 12 wins in 13 games will do for you.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Toronto (fifth place in the Eastern Conference), Philadelphia (seventh), Orlando (eighth) and Miami (ninth) had each gone 5-5 over their previous 10 games before Tuesday night.<\/p>\n Even 10th-place Charlotte was on a 7-3 run, leaving the Hornets just half a game behind the Heat, one below the Magic, 1.5 behind the Sixers and 2.5 back of the Hawks.<\/p>\n The Raptors sit only three games in front of the Hornets (Atlanta, Philadelphia and Miami had played one more game than the others before Tuesday).<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play Video<\/p>\n In other words, the non-home court playoff teams and play-in combatant puzzle remains extremely jumbled with just 10 or 11 games left to be played apiece. Per Tankathon.com<\/a>, Toronto has the second-easiest remaining schedule (based on opponent\u2019s winning percentage) of these six teams (only Miami\u2019s slate is easier). Charlotte has the 10th-toughest remaining schedule and Atlanta is fourth, with Hawks opponents winning at a .550 clip this season.<\/p>\n That number partly explains Atlanta\u2019s torrid recent stretch. Yes, they\u2019ve come together since dumping Trae Young, adding Jonathan Kuminga and replacing former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Rissacher in the starting lineup with veteran C.J. McCollum, but they haven\u2019t exactly been facing the 2018 Golden State Warriors lately.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Atlanta faced just one team in the top six of either conference during this run. Don\u2019t expect them to stay put above the play-in line (the Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10 seeds go to the play-in).<\/p>\n WHAT ABOUT THE REST?<\/p>\n Philadelphia remains the ultimate wild card of the group. Former league MVP Joel Embiid was back in dominant form in late-January and five February games, but has now missed about a month with his latest injury.<\/p>\n Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters Monday that Embiid was back on the court for a workout but, still, his play-in\/playoff availability cannot be guaranteed.<\/p>\n The good news for the Sixers is Paul George is expected to return Wednesday after being out since Jan. 29 due to suspension, while potential all-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey is getting closer and Kelly Oubre might not be far off either.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Games Saturday and Monday against Charlotte and Miami could have a big impact on the final standings.<\/p>\n Orlando lost a tough one Monday, with Indiana ending a 16-game losing streak thanks to 37 points and a game-saving block by former Raptors star Pascal Siakam. That made it five straight losses after seven wins in a row for one of the league\u2019s streakiest squads.<\/p>\n Franz Wagner is badly missed along with rising guard Anthony Black. Late-game situations have been particularly problematic for the Magic, with the team ranking 27th in crunch-time effective field-goal shooting and 25th in true-shooting percentage in those periods.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Why NBA must rethink games played award policy after latest superstar injury<\/p>\n![\"Nickeil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0325-nickeil-alexander-walker-hawks.jpg\")
Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball gestures after making a three-point basket during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies. AP PhotoTHE BUZZ IS BACK<\/p>\n