The 2025 NBA playoffs are officially underway. The Pacers, Nuggets, Knicks, and Timberwolves all secured Game 1 wins on Saturday, while the Thunder, Celtics, Cavaliers, and Warriors emerged victorious on Sunday, marking the start of the first round. On Monday, the Pistons tied their series with the Knicks at 1-1, and the Clippers did the same with a win over the Nuggets. On Tuesday, the Thunder and Pacers took 2-0 series leads over the Grizzlies and Bucks, respectively, whilst the Lakers leveled their series with the Timberwolves.

The Western Conference features exciting first-round matchups this season. The seventh-seeded, battle-hardened Warriors are favored against the relatively inexperienced second-seeded Rockets, a dynamic that played out when Golden State clinched a 95-85 victory in Houston on Sunday.

The Lakers were outplayed in Game 1 against Minnesota but responded with a more aggressive style in their Game 2 win. The 4-5 encounter between the Nuggets and Clippers appears too close to call, with Nikola Jokić facing off against Kawhi Leonard. The Nuggets claimed Game 1 in overtime, with the Clippers bouncing back to win Game 2.

In the Eastern Conference, experts anticipate a predictable first round. On paper, the Cavaliers and Celtics were expected to defeat their respective challengers, the Heat and Magic, which indeed occurred on Sunday. The Knicks executed a crucial fourth-quarter run to win Game 1 against the Pistons but could not maintain this in Game 2. Meanwhile, Pacers vs. Bucks rekindles a rivalry in their 4-5 matchup; currently, the Pacers lead 2-0.

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
• No. 2 Rockets vs. No. 7 Warriors
• No. 3 Lakers vs. No. 6 Timberwolves
• No. 4 Nuggets vs. No. 5 Clippers

2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule
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 vs. Magic, 7 p.m., TNT/Max
• Game 2: Cavaliers vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV/fubo
• Game 2: Rockets vs. Warriors, 9:30 p.m., TNT/Max

Note: Schedule continues on subsequent days with various matchups and times.