Andrew Pace
The NBA playoffs are the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association. Sixteen teams make the NBA playoffs, with eight teams from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. The Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals, their first title in franchise history. The Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals, their 18th championship, the most in NBA history. The 2025 NBA playoffs began on April 19, with the Oklahoma City Thunder entering with the best record in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Teams | Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors |
| Date | 2025 |
| Location | North America |
| Channels | ESPN, ABC, TNT |
| Game 1 Date and Time | Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 p.m. |
| Game 2 Date and Time | Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. |
| Game 3 Date and Time | Wednesday, June 11 at 8:30 p.m. |
| Game 4 Date and Time | Friday, June 13 at 8:30 p.m. |
| Game 5 Date and Time | Monday, June 16 at 8:30 p.m. |
| Game 6 Date and Time | Thursday, June 19 at 8:30 p.m. |
| Game 7 Date and Time | Sunday, June 22 at 8 p.m. |
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What You'll Learn
The 2025 NBA Playoffs teams and schedule
The 2025 NBA Playoffs began on April 19, with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament taking place from April 15-18. The tournament featured the 7th to 10th-ranked teams in each conference vying for the final two playoff spots.
The NBA Conference Semifinals saw some exciting matchups, with the Pacers taking on the Cavaliers, the Knicks facing the Celtics, and the Nuggets going up against the Thunder. The Pacers, Knicks, and Thunder emerged as the winners of these series, advancing to the next round.
The NBA Conference Finals are currently underway, with the Pacers and the Thunder battling it out for a spot in the NBA Finals. The series is tightly contested, with both teams aiming to secure the championship title. Game 1 took place on June 5, with the Pacers taking the early lead in the series. The dates for the upcoming games in this series are as follows:
- Game 2: June 8
- Game 3: June 11
- Game 4: June 13
- Game 5 (if necessary): June 16
- Game 6 (if necessary): June 19
- Game 7 (if necessary): June 22
The NBA Finals, presented by YouTube TV, will commence shortly after the conclusion of the Conference Finals, with the first game scheduled for June 5. Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025 NBA Playoffs unfold!
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Tiebreakers for playoff positions
The NBA postseason tournament is an exciting time, with teams battling it out for the championship. In the 2023 NBA playoffs, the Denver Nuggets won their first-ever title, and we also saw the Lakers and Heat make history as the first seventh and eighth seeds, respectively, to advance in the first round of the playoffs.
Now, when it comes to tiebreakers for playoff positions, there are a few scenarios and rules to consider. Firstly, let's look at the scenario where two teams have the same record and winning percentage. In this case, the NBA employs the following tiebreakers, in order of priority:
- Better winning percentage in games against each other (head-to-head record).
- Division winner (regardless of whether the tied teams are in the same division).
- Better winning percentage against teams in the same division (only if tied teams share a division).
- Better winning percentage against teams in the same conference.
- Better winning percentage against playoff-eligible teams in the same conference.
- Better winning percentage against playoff-eligible teams in the opposite conference.
- Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents ("point differential").
Next, let's consider a scenario where three or more teams are tied on record, regardless of whether they are in the same division or conference standings. The following rules are applied:
- Division winner (this criterion is applied regardless of whether the tied teams are in the same division).
- Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.
- Better winning percentage against teams in the same division (only if all tied teams share a division).
- Better winning percentage against teams in the same conference.
- Better winning percentage against playoff-eligible teams in the same conference.
- Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents ("point differential").
It's worth noting that these tiebreakers are used sequentially until one of two scenarios occurs:
- A “complete” breaking of the tie, where each team has a different winning percentage or point differential under the applied criterion.
- A “partial” breaking of the tie, where at least one team has a better winning percentage or point differential than the others, but some teams remain tied.
These rules ensure that when teams have identical records, there is a fair and consistent method to determine their playoff positions.
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The 2025 NBA Conference Finals
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers, led by the right mix of youth and experience, knocked out the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers with a decisive 4-1 series win. This set up a highly anticipated matchup against the New York Knicks, who clinched their conference finals berth by defeating the defending champions, the Boston Celtics. The Celtics' campaign was unfortunately impacted by an injury to their star player, Jayson Tatum. The Pacers ultimately proved their prowess once again, as they closed out the Knicks in Game 6 and advanced to the NBA Finals to face the Thunder. Pascal Siakam, who was named the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player, played a pivotal role in the Pacers' success.
Out West, the Minnesota Timberwolves made their mark by beating the Golden State Warriors 4-1. The Timberwolves took advantage of the absence of Stephen Curry, the Warriors' offensive leader, who sustained a hamstring injury in the second quarter of Game 1. Despite this setback for the Warriors, the Timberwolves demonstrated their prowess with Anthony Edwards at the helm.
The Oklahoma City Thunder also secured their spot in the NBA Finals by winning their series 4-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Alex Caruso were instrumental in their victory, showcasing their talent and determination.
The NBA Conference Finals were a best-of-seven series, with the team boasting the better regular-season record earning home-court advantage. The NBA Finals commenced on June 5, with Game 1 taking place in Oklahoma City, and fans eagerly anticipated the showdown between the Thunder and the Pacers, guaranteeing a first-time NBA champion.
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The 2025 NBA Championship odds
The 2025 NBA Finals will see the Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the Indiana Pacers, with the Thunder holding home-court advantage. The Thunder last appeared in the NBA Finals in 2012, while the Pacers are making their first appearance since 2000.
The Thunder will be led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has guided them to the title round for the first time in 13 years. They also had a very successful regular season, winning 68 games and securing the top seed in the West. On the other hand, the Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, defeated the Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference finals to secure their spot in the championship round.
The 2025 NBA Finals will commence on June 5 and could potentially run through June 22 if a Game 7 is required. The schedule for the first six games is as follows:
- Game 1: Thursday, June 5 - Pacers @ Thunder, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2: Sunday, June 8 - Pacers @ Thunder, 8 p.m. ET
- Game 3: Wednesday, June 11 - Thunder @ Pacers, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: Friday, June 13 - Thunder @ Pacers, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 5 (if required): Monday, June 16 - Pacers @ Thunder, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 6 (if required): Thursday, June 19 - Thunder @ Pacers, 8:30 p.m. ET
While specific odds for the series were not found, the Thunder's impressive regular-season performance and home-court advantage may give them a slight edge over the Pacers. However, the Pacers' determination to bring home their first NBA championship cannot be underestimated.
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The 2025 NBA Finals
The NBA Conference Finals have concluded, and just four teams remain in the hunt for the 2025 NBA Championship. The Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Minnesota Timberwolves are the final teams standing.
In the Eastern Conference, the Pacers knocked out the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, setting up a finals battle against the New York Knicks. The Knicks clinched their conference finals berth after defeating the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, whose star player, Jayson Tatum, was injured. The Pacers, led by Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton, closed out the Knicks in Game 6 and advanced to meet the Thunder in the NBA Finals.
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves advanced by beating the Golden State Warriors. The Timberwolves took advantage of a wounded Warriors team, as their offensive talisman, Stephen Curry, was forced out of action in the second quarter of Game 1 with a hamstring injury.
The Thunder and Pacers' respective NBA championship odds are an unusual pairing, as both teams feature elite point guards. The Pacers' magical run continues, fuelled by a mix of youth and experience, while the Thunder boasts an elite defence. The Pacers, after defeating the Knicks, will face the Thunder in the NBA Finals, with Game 1 taking place on June 5 in Oklahoma City.
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Frequently asked questions
The Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Finals, their first title in franchise history.
The Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Lakers, Heat, Kings, and Warriors.
The Boston Celtics have won the most NBA championships, with 18 titles.
The Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks.
