Helena Frye
The NBA Playoffs are one of the most exciting times in the basketball calendar, with 16 teams battling it out to be crowned champions. The 2025 NBA Playoffs are currently underway, with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks vying for the title. The NBA Playoffs consist of 8 teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences, with the top 6 seeds in each conference advancing based on their regular-season record. The NCAA's Big Dance is also an eagerly anticipated annual event, with the road to the Final Four an exciting prospect for fans. With the 2024 NBA Playoffs seeing the Celtics emerge as champions, the 2025 Playoffs promise to deliver more thrilling basketball action and upsets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Event | NBA Playoffs |
| Start Date | April 19 |
| Number of Teams | 16 |
| Conferences | Eastern, Western |
| Channels | ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV |
| Streaming Service | Sling Orange |
| Game | Cavaliers vs. Heat, Celtics vs. Magic, Knicks vs. Pistons, Pacers vs. Bucks, Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Rockets vs. Warriors, Lakers vs. Timberwolves, Nuggets vs. Clippers |
| Location | San Antonio |
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What You'll Learn
2025 NBA Playoffs schedule
The 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off on June 5, with the Finals airing exclusively on ABC. The first round of the Playoffs began on April 19, four days after the Play-In Tournament on April 15.
In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are defending their title. The Cavaliers, Knicks, and Pacers are all contenders to knock Boston off the top spot. In the first round, the Celtics beat the Magic in Game 1 on April 20, with a score of 103-86. The Cavaliers beat the Heat in Game 1 on the same day, with a score of 121-100.
In the Western Conference, the Thunder dominated during the regular season and are the team to beat. The West also features the Rockets, Lakers, and Nuggets, all chasing the championship.
The Playoffs are best-of-seven series, with teams not being reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have home-court advantage and will host Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary). All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
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Eastern Conference matchups
The 2025 NBA Playoffs began on Saturday, April 19, with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament taking place from April 15-18. The Eastern Conference matchups are as follows:
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
The Cavaliers swept the Heat, winning the series 4-0 with a commanding performance, including a 4-game margin of 122 points.
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
The Celtics lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 taking place on Tuesday, April 29, at 8:30 ET on NBA TV.
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
The Knicks lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, at 7:30 ET on TNT.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Pacers took a 2-0 lead in the series early on, but the current series score is not available. Game 3 was played on Friday, April 25, at 8 pm ET on ESPNU/NBA TV.
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Western Conference matchups
The Western Conference playoff bracket of the 2025 NBA Playoffs includes several exciting matchups. The Oklahoma City Thunder will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies, with Game 4 of their series taking place on Saturday, April 26th, at 3:30 p.m. The Houston Rockets will go head-to-head with the Golden State Warriors, with Game 2 on Wednesday, April 23rd, at 9:30 p.m. ET. Another thrilling series will be between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Game 3 on Friday, April 25th, at 9:30 p.m. ET. Additionally, the Denver Nuggets will compete against the LA Clippers, with Game 3 on Thursday, April 24th, at 10 p.m. ET.
The Western Conference matchups promise intense competition, with each team vying for a chance to advance to the next round of the playoffs. The Thunder and the Grizzlies will battle it out, with the Thunder looking to bounce back after a challenging regular season. The Rockets and Warriors series will be one to watch, as both teams possess strong offensive capabilities. The Lakers, led by their star players, will aim to dominate the Timberwolves. Meanwhile, the Nuggets and Clippers series will showcase a strategic battle, with both teams relying on their defensive strengths.
The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs tipped off on April 19th, with the Western Conference teams vying for a spot in the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies series is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting talented offensive players. The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors will engage in a tactical battle, as the Rockets aim to overcome the Warriors' home-court advantage.
The Los Angeles Lakers, a perennial powerhouse, will face a tough challenge in the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are seeking their first playoff series win. The Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers series will be a clash of contrasting styles, with the Nuggets' fast-paced offense up against the Clippers' disciplined defense. As the playoffs progress, the intensity and excitement of the Western Conference matchups will undoubtedly escalate.
The Western Conference teams in the 2025 NBA Playoffs are geared up to showcase their talent and determination. With each game, the pressure intensifies, and the road to the NBA Finals becomes more challenging. Fans can expect thrilling plays, last-minute shots, and awe-inspiring performances as these Western Conference powerhouses leave everything on the court in their pursuit of basketball glory.
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2024 NBA Playoffs results
The 2024 NBA Playoffs were a thrilling affair, with the Boston Celtics clinching their 18th championship—the most in NBA history. The Celtics, led by star players like Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, defeated the Mavericks in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals, sealing the series with a 4-1 victory. This win marked the first time that Al Horford, in his 17th season, won an NBA title.
The 2024 Playoffs began on April 20 and concluded on June 17, with the Celtics celebrating their championship run with a parade in Boston. The team's success was built on a strong foundation, as they entered the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season, showcasing their dominance throughout the season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder also made waves by entering the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and clinching the number one seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder became the youngest team to earn the 1-seed in NBA history, with an average age of 23.9 years old.
The 2024 Playoffs were filled with notable achievements and milestones. Jalen Brunson joined LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history with four consecutive playoff games of 35+ points and 5+ assists in a single postseason. Donovan Mitchell also etched his name in the record books, scoring 52.1% of the Cavaliers' points in game 6, the highest percentage by a player with a chance to clinch a playoff series.
Additionally, the Timberwolves made history by overcoming a 20-point deficit to win Game 7 against the Nuggets, marking the largest Game 7 comeback in NBA Playoffs history. The 2024 Playoffs witnessed the elimination of the defending champion Nuggets, extending the streak of unique NBA champions across a six-year span.
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Watching the 2025 Playoffs
The 2025 NBA Playoffs began on Saturday, April 19, with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament taking place from April 15-18. The tournament featured the Nos. 7-10 teams from each conference, competing for the 7th and 8th playoff seeds.
The Western Conference playoff bracket includes:
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Denver Nuggets vs. LA Clippers
The Eastern Conference bracket includes:
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
- New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
You can catch the NBA Playoffs across ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV. To access these channels, you can opt for DIRECTV's MySports pack, which offers a curated selection of sports channels for $69.99/month. Alternatively, Sling Orange provides access to playoff games on ESPN, ABC (via ESPN3), and TNT, with an option to bundle and save $5 on your subscription.
For those interested in the 2025 Final Four and National Championship, these will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
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Frequently asked questions
Game 4 will be held on Saturday, April 26 in LA at 6 p.m. ET, and Game 5 will be held on Tuesday, April 29 in Denver at 10 p.m. ET.
The team matchups for the 2025 NBA playoffs are:
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
- Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
- New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
You can check out the daily schedule for the Men's Final Four on NCAA.com or download the Official NCAA Men's Final Four App presented by AT&T for the full schedule.
Sixteen teams make the NBA playoffs, with eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences.
