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The Eastern Conference has been the lesser conference (with a losing record against the West) in 23 of the last 26 seasons. It certainly appears that it will be 24 of 27 by April 2026, in part because of three Achilles tears in the 2025 playoffs.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton were the primary stars on the best team of the last five years and the defending Eastern Conference champions, respectively. Damian Lillard, meanwhile, was the second star on the team with the best player in the East. All three are out for all (or at least most) of next season, and Lillard will be in the Western Conference when he eventually returns.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks should remain at t