Amanda Knapp
Basketball will be back on our screens in Fall 2025, with the NBA games airing on Tuesday nights on NBC. The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament took place from April 15 to 18, 2025, with the first round of the NBA Playoffs starting on April 19. The conference semifinals will begin on May 5, 2025, and the conference finals will tip off on May 20, 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of search | 19th April 2025 |
| NBA season status | Postseason |
| Number of teams in the playoffs | 16 |
| Number of games in the first round of the playoffs | 8 |
| Date of the first round of the playoffs | 19th April 2025 |
| Date of the conference semifinals | 5th or 6th May 2025 |
| Date of the conference finals | 20th or 21st May 2025 |
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What You'll Learn
2025 NBA Playoffs schedule
The 2024-25 NBA season is well underway, with the regular season ending on April 13, 2025. The NBA Playoffs began shortly after, with the first round tipping off on April 19. Here is a detailed schedule for the 2025 NBA Playoffs:
First Round
The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs started on April 19, with eight teams from each conference facing off in a best-of-seven series. The higher-seeded teams in each series will have home-court advantage, hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary).
Some of the first-round matchups include:
- Knicks vs Pistons: Game 1 on April 19 (Knicks won 123-112), Game 2 on April 21 (Pistons won 100-94), Game 3 on April 24 (Knicks won 118-116), Game 4 on April 27 (Knicks won 94-93), Game 5 on April 29 (Detroit at New York), Game 6 on May 1 (if necessary), and Game 7 on May 3 (if necessary).
- Pacers vs Bucks: Game 1 on April 19 (Pacers won 117-98), Game 2 on April 22 (Pacers won 123-115), Game 3 on April 25 (Bucks won 117-101), Game 4 on April 27 (Pacers won 129-103), Game 5 on April 29 (Milwaukee at Indiana), Game 6 on May 2 (if necessary), and Game 7 on May 4 (if necessary).
- Thunder vs Grizzlies: Game 1 on April 20 (Thunder won 131-80), Game 2 on April 22 (Thunder won 118-99), Game 3 on April 24 (Thunder won 114-108), and Game 4 on April 26 (Thunder won 117-115).
- Warriors vs Rockets: Game 1 on April 20 (Warriors won 95-85), Game 2 on April 23 (Rockets won 109-94), Game 3 on April 26 (Warriors won 104-93), and Game 4 on April 28.
- Cavaliers vs Heat: Game 1 on April 20 (Cavaliers won 121-100), Game 2 on April 23 (Cavaliers won 121-112), Game 3 on April 26 (Cavaliers won 124-87), Game 4 on April 28, Game 5 on April 30 (if necessary), Game 6 on May 2 (if necessary), and Game 7 on May 4 (if necessary).
- Celtics vs Magic: Game 1 on April 20 (Celtics won 103-86), Game 2 on April 23 (Celtics won 109-100), Game 3 on April 25 (Magic won 95-93), Game 4 on April 27 (Celtics won 107-98), Game 5 on April 29 (Orlando at Boston), Game 6 on May 1 (if necessary), and Game 7 on May 3 (if necessary).
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals, presented by YouTube TV, will begin on June 5, 2025, with Game 1 airing exclusively on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET. The subsequent games will be played on the following dates:
- Game 2: June 8 at 8 p.m. ET
- Game 3: June 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: June 13 at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 5: June 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
- Game 6: June 19 at 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
- Game 7: June 22 at 8 p.m. ET (if necessary)
The 2025 NBA Draft will take place on June 25-26, with coverage on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2.
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Injuries impacting the game
While basketball is an exciting and dynamic sport, it is not without its risks. Injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of the game, and they can have a significant impact on the outcome of a season. The physical demands of the sport, with its rapid direction changes, jumps, and physical contact, mean that players are always at risk of sustaining injuries. These injuries can range from minor sprains and strains to more serious issues such as torn ligaments or concussions.
In the 2024-25 NBA season, several notable players have been sidelined due to injuries. For example, the Milwaukee Bucks' Lillard has been dealing with a blood clot issue in his right calf, causing him to be ruled out indefinitely and miss crucial games. The Bucks have felt the impact of his absence, with the team sliding in the standings as injuries piled up. Similarly, the Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray has struggled with injuries, including a recent hamstring injury that kept him out of six games. The Nuggets need Murray to be at his best if they want to replicate their 2023 championship run.
LeBron James, a superstar for the Los Angeles Lakers, also took time away from the team to heal physically and mentally after a brutal shooting slump in early December. This highlights how injuries can not only affect a player's physical health but also their mental well-being. It is important for players to take the necessary time to recover fully before returning to the court.
The impact of injuries on a team's performance cannot be overstated. When key players are sidelined, it can disrupt the team's chemistry and rhythm. Additionally, injuries can force coaches to make unexpected lineup changes, potentially affecting the team's overall strategy and performance. In some cases, teams may even have to trade players or make roster moves to compensate for the loss of an injured player.
To mitigate the impact of injuries, NBA teams have rigorous injury reporting and management protocols in place. Teams are required to report information regarding player injuries, illnesses, and rest before each game. This transparency helps fans, bettors, and the league stay informed about the status of players and makes injury management an essential aspect of the game.
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Player trades
The 2024-25 NBA season has been an exciting one, with the postseason already serving up some thrilling encounters. The first round of the playoffs began on April 19, with the conference semifinals scheduled to start on May 5. While the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, the conference finals are expected to tip off on May 20.
With the postseason in full swing, several player trades and roster moves have already made headlines. One of the most shocking trades in league history saw the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Luka Doncic. The Lakers also parted ways with standout rookie Dalton Knecht in a trade for Mark Williams, although this deal was later rescinded. The Lakers' vice president of basketball operations and general manager, Rob Pelinka, has been credited with pulling off these moves.
The Milwaukee Bucks, meanwhile, are hoping for a deep playoff run, but their star player, Lillard, has been ruled out indefinitely due to a blood clot issue in his right calf. Lillard and Antetokounmpo formed the highest-scoring duo in the NBA this season, so the Bucks will be eager to have him back on the court. The Denver Nuggets also have their eyes on a deep playoff run, but they need Jamal Murray to find his best form again after an injury-plagued season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are facing their own injury concerns with Ja Morant, who suffered an ankle injury in a loss to the Warriors. The severity of the injury could impact the Grizzlies' playoff chances. As the postseason progresses, we can expect more player trades and roster moves as teams adjust their strategies and deal with injuries.
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Player performance
One notable player to keep an eye on is Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets. Murray, who has dealt with injuries, returned for the final two games of the regular season. When healthy, Murray forms one of the most prolific duos in the league with his teammate Nikola Jokic. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Murray played a crucial role in the Nuggets' championship run. This season, he averaged 21.4 points and 6.0 assists while shooting 47.4%. The Nuggets will need Murray to regain his playoff form and hit clutch shots in the fourth quarter if they are to make a deep run again.
Another key player is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo's dominance has helped the Bucks enter the playoffs on a hot streak, winning eight consecutive games. However, the Bucks have also been plagued by injuries. Their other star player, Lillard, was ruled out indefinitely due to a blood clot issue in his right calf. Together, Lillard and Antetokounmpo were the highest-scoring duo in the NBA this season. If the Bucks want to make a deep playoff run, they will need a healthy Lillard back in the lineup to complement Antetokounmpo's stellar play.
The Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant is another crucial player whose performance will impact his team's playoff run. Morant suffered an ankle injury during a recent loss to the Warriors and is dealing with pain. If Morant is not fully healthy, the burden will fall on his teammates, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., to carry the offense. Playing without a fully fit Morant will make the Grizzlies' task even more challenging as they face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.
In addition to these standout players, the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic is worth mentioning. While the Lakers' season had its fair share of drama, including LeBron James' absence for physical and mental healing, Doncic's acquisition in a shocking trade bolstered the franchise. Doncic's presence sets the stage for an intriguing matchup against his former teammate, Russell Westbrook, in the playoffs.
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs unfold, the performances of these key players will be pivotal in determining their teams' fate. The combination of skill, injury recovery, and clutch moments will define their impact on the court and shape the outcome of this year's championship race.
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Broadcasting schedules
For the 2024-25 season, basketball fans can watch games on ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV, NBA League Pass and RSNs. To watch every nationally televised game this season, you'll need a cable, satellite or streaming service subscription that includes ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV. Streaming providers with access to these channels include DIRECTV STREAM, Sling (with an add-on for NBA TV), YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV. Fubo subscribers can access ESPN, ABC and NBA TV, but not TNT. However, Fubo subscribers can add the Max streaming service to watch TNT games, or watch for free through TNT Overtime on the NBA app (although these streams won't include announcers or traditional camera angles).
Several teams now broadcast their games via local over-the-air affiliates, so to watch NBA games on local networks and RSNs, you'll need to either live in the market where the team is located or subscribe to NBA League Pass. The Bally Sports and NBC Sports RSNs, MSG, YES Network and Altitude are available through the Fubo base package and DIRECTV STREAM Choice package, while NBC Sports RSN is also available on YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV.
College basketball games can be watched on multiple direct-to-subscriber platforms, such as Peacock, FloSports, Paramount+, Max, and Big Ten Plus. Many schools also stream games for free on their athletics websites. Games on linear cable (ESPN, FS1) and broadcast television (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW) can be streamed through cable bundle streaming services.
For those looking for a free and user-friendly service, Livesportsontv.com provides a comprehensive schedule of upcoming basketball games from leagues and tournaments worldwide, including the NBA, NCAA College Basketball, and the FIBA World Cup.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball will be back on TV this fall, with games airing on Tuesday nights on NBC.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs started on April 19, with the Play-In Tournament taking place from April 15-18.
Some key players to watch in the NBA playoffs include Jamal Murray, Ja Morant, and Lillard.
