moranelkarifnews : 2025 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, schedule, scores, matchups for first round including Jokic, Nuggets vs. Clippers

It’s hard to think of an NBA Playoffs with as many tight, could-go-either-way series. When was the last time a No. 7 seed (Warriors) was a betting favorite over a healthy No. 2 seed (Rockets)? Three of the four series in the West and at least one in the East (two if you’re a big Pistons fan) could go either way.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

When do the NBA Playoffs begin?

The play-in — the NBA’s version of the Wild Card round — concluded on April 18, with two games: Miami defeating Atlanta and Memphis knocking off Dallas.

The playoffs start on Saturday, April 19, with four games, and will run through mid-June.

When do the NBA Finals begin?

The NBA Finals tip off June 5, with the first game set for 8:30 ET that day at the arena of the team with the better regular-season record (Oklahoma City has the best record overall in the league and would have home court advantage against anyone in the Finals).

The remainder of the NBA Finals games are: Game 2 June 8, Game 3 June 11, Game 4 June 13, Game 5 June 16, Game 6 June 19 and Game 7 June 22 (games 5-7 are if necessary). All games will be broadcast on ABC.

NBA Eastern Conference, Western Conference playoff bracket

NBA Playoffs Schedule 2025

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).

Eastern Conference

#1 Cleveland vs. #8 Miami

Game 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100
Game 2: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112
Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87
Game 4: Cavaliers 138, Heat 83
Cleveland sweeps series 4-0

# 2 Boston vs. # Orlando

Game 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86
Game 2: Celtics 109, Magic 100
Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93
Game 4: Celtics 107, Magic 98
Game 5: Celtics 120, Magic 89
Boston wins series 4-1

#3 New York vs. #6 Detroit

Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93
Game 5: Pistons 106, Knicks 103
Game 6: Knicks at Pistons, May 1, (7:30 ET, TNT)
Game 7: Pistons at Knicks, May 3, (TBD)*
New York leads series 3-2

#4 Indiana vs. #5 Milwaukee

Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Game 2: Pacers 123, Bucks 115
Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101
Game 4: Pacers 129, Bucks 103
Game 5: Pacers 119, Bucks 118
Indiana wins series 4-1

Western Conference

#1 Oklahoma City vs. #8 Memphis

Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99
Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108
Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115
Oklahoma City sweeps series 4-0

#2 Houston vs. #7 Golden State

Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85
Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94
Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93
Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106
Game 5: Rockets 131, Warriors 116
Game 6: Rockets at Warriors, May 2, (9 ET, ESPN)
Game 7: Warriors at Rockets, May 4, (TBD)*
Golden State leads series 3-2

#3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #6 Minnesota

Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
Game 2: Lakers 95, Timberwolves 85
Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104
Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113
Game 5: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96
Minnesoa wins series 4-1

#4 Denver vs. #5 LA Clippers

Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
Game 2: Clippers 113, Nuggets 112
Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83
Game 4: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99
Game 5: Nuggets 131, Clippers 115
Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers, May 1, (10 ET, TNT)
Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets , May 3, (TBD)*
Denver leads series 3-2