The 2025 NBA postseason has officially commenced, with the first round featuring eight compelling series already in full swing. Following victories on Thursday night, the Knicks, Thunder, and Clippers have established leads in their respective series as the weekend approaches. The Oklahoma City Thunder, notably, executed a remarkable comeback against the Grizzlies and currently hold a dominant 3-0 advantage in their best-of-seven clash, positioning them as potentially the first team to secure advancement to the second round.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks secured a Game 3 win against the Pistons on Thursday, taking a 2-1 lead over Detroit. In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Pacers each possess strong 2-0 leads over the Heat, Magic, and Bucks, respectively. Miami, Orlando, and Milwaukee will aim to mount a comeback in their series playing at home this weekend.
The Western Conference matchups have been more tightly contested thus far. Three of the four series in the West were tied at 1-1 after the initial two games. The Clippers delivered a convincing home performance against the Nuggets on Thursday, seizing a 2-1 lead in that series. The Lakers-Timberwolves and Rockets-Warriors series are set for crucial Game 3s in the coming days.
The injury status of Jimmy Butler remains a significant factor looming over the Rockets vs. Warriors series, as his availability for Game 3 and beyond could dramatically influence the outcome. In the East, the Celtics managed to claim a Game 2 victory against the Magic despite playing without Jayson Tatum, who was sidelined due to a `severe` bone bruise.
While experts generally agreed on the likely outcomes for every first-round series, the playoffs consistently remind us that unexpected developments are always possible.
2025 NBA Playoff Bracket Snapshot
Eastern Conference 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
Western Conference First-Round Matchups
No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 Grizzlies
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 and 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 vs. Celtics, 7 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Game 3: Bucks vs. Pacers, 8 p.m., ESPNU/NBA TV/fubo
Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Lakers, 9:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Saturday, April 26
Game 3: Heat vs. Cavaliers, 1 p.m., ABC/fubo
Game 4: Grizzlies vs. Thunder, 3:30 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 4: Clippers vs. Nuggets, 6 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 3: Warriors vs. Rockets, 8:30 p.m., TV TBD
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 5: Thunder vs. Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m., TNT/Max
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: Grizzlies vs. Thunder, 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: Thunder vs. Grizzlies, 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
2025 NBA Play-In Tournament Schedule and 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: Conclusion of Regular Season
- April 15-18: Play-In Tournament Period
- April 19: Playoffs Officially Begin
- May 12: NBA Draft Lottery Event
- June 5: Commencement of the NBA Finals
Jasper Hawthorne