The 2025 NBA Playoffs are actively underway, with the first-round series providing plenty of excitement. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder entered the postseason holding the top seeds in their respective conferences. However, many experts and oddsmakers regard the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, as the overall favorite.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have become the first team to secure their spot in the second round, achieving a decisive sweep against the Grizzlies over the weekend. In the Western Conference, the remaining series feature the Rockets against the Warriors, the Lakers facing the Timberwolves, and the Nuggets battling the Clippers. This conference is loaded with superstar talent, including Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and Kawhi Leonard, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive path forward.
Meanwhile, in the Eastern Conference, the first-round matchups include the Cavaliers vs. Heat, Celtics vs. Magic, Knicks vs. Pistons, and Pacers vs. Bucks. The intensity and physicality of these playoff contests are noticeably higher than in the regular season, a point highlighted by players and coaches alike. The team that successfully navigates the challenging Eastern Conference bracket will surely bear the marks of a hard-fought journey.
As the NBA playoffs progress, here is an updated look at the full bracket, including results and the schedule for upcoming games.
2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
East First-Round Matchups
- No. 1 Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Heat
- No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 Magic
- No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Pistons
- No. 4 Pacers vs. No. 5 Bucks
West First-Round Matchups
- No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies (Thunder win, 4-0)
- No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors
- No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves
- No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers
2025 NBA Playoffs: First-Round Schedule & Scores
All times Eastern
- Saturday, April 19
- Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
- Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
- Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
- Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
- Sunday, April 20
- Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
- Game 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86
- Game 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100
- Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85
- Monday, April 21
- Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
- Game 2: Clippers 105, Nuggets 102
- Tuesday, April 22
- Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 115
- Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99
- Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85
- Wednesday, April 23
- Game 2: Celtics 109, Magic 100
- Game 2: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112
- Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94
- Thursday, April 24
- Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
- Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108
- Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83
- Friday, April 25
- Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93
- Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101
- Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104
- Saturday, April 26
- Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87
- Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115
- Game 4: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99
- Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93
- Sunday, April 27
- Game 4: Pistons vs. Knicks, 1 p.m., ABC/fubo
- Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Lakers, 3:30 p.m., ABC/fubo
- Game 4: Magic vs. Celtics, 7 p.m., TNT/Max
- Game 4: Bucks vs. Pacers, 9:30 p.m., TNT/Max
- Monday, April 28
- Game 4: Heat vs. Cavaliers, Time/TV TBD
- Game 4: Warriors vs. Rockets, 10 p.m., TNT/Max
- Tuesday, April 29
- *Game 5: Celtics vs. Magic, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 5: Knicks vs. Pistons, 7:30 p.m., TNT/Max
- *Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 5: Nuggets vs. Clippers, 10 p.m., TNT/Max
- Wednesday, April 30
- *Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Heat, 7 p.m., NBA TV/fubo
- *Game 5: Rockets vs. Warriors, 7:30 p.m., TNT/Max
- *Game 5: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, 10 p.m., TNT/Max
- Thursday, May 1
- *Game 6: Magic vs. Celtics, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 6: Pistons vs. Knicks, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 6: Clippers vs. Nuggets, Time/TV TBD
- Friday, May 2
- *Game 6: Heat vs. Cavaliers, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 6: Bucks vs. Pacers, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 6: Warriors vs. Rockets, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Lakers, Time/TV TBD
- Saturday, May 3
- *Game 7: Celtics vs. Magic, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 7: Knicks vs. Pistons, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 7: Nuggets vs. Clippers, Time/TV TBD
- Sunday, May 4
- *Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Heat, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 7: Rockets vs. Warriors, Time/TV TBD
- *Game 7: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, Time/TV TBD
* indicates if necessary
2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule & Scores
All times Eastern
- Tuesday, April 15
- Magic 120, Hawks 95
- Warriors 121, Grizzlies 116
- Wednesday, April 16
- Heat 109, Bulls 90
- Mavericks 120, Kings 106
- Friday, April 18
- Heat 123, Hawks 114 (OT)
- Grizzlies 120, Mavericks 106
2025 NBA Playoffs: Key Dates
- April 13: Final day of regular season
- April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
- April 19: Playoffs begin
- May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
- June 5: NBA Finals begin
Jasper Hawthorne