NBA Playoff 2025: Key Matchups, Player Highlights, and What to Expect

 

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🏀 2025 NBA Playoffs: Conference Semi-finals

The second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is underway, featuring intense matchups in both conferences.

Eastern Conference Semifinals

• (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers

  • Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112

  • Game 2: Scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 PM ET

• (2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks

  • Game 1: Scheduled for Monday, May 5 at 7:00 PM ET

  • The Knicks face a significant challenge in defending the Celtics' potent three-point shooting. During the regular season, the Knicks allowed opponents to shoot 42.7% from beyond the arc in losses, the worst in the NBA .

Western Conference Semifinals

• (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets

  • Game 1: Scheduled for Monday, May 5 at 9:30 PM ET

  • The Thunder enter the series as favorites to win the West, with -175 odds .

• (6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

  • Game 1: Scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at 9:30 PM ET

  • The Warriors advanced after a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Rockets .

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🔥 Notable Player Updates

• Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers set a new NBA record by scoring over 30 points in his eighth consecutive playoff series opener, surpassing Michael Jordan's previous record .

• Damian Lillard underwent successful surgery to repair a torn left Achilles tendon. The injury occurred during Game 4 of the Bucks' first-round series against the Pacers. Recovery is expected to take approximately 10 months .

• LeBron James, following the Lakers' season-ending loss to the Timberwolves, expressed uncertainty about his NBA future. While he hasn't announced retirement, reports suggest he may play at least one more season .

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📝 NBA Draft and Combine

• The 2025 NBA Draft Combine is set to take place from May 11-18 in Chicago. Attendance is mandatory for invitees, a new rule aimed at enhancing transparency and evaluation .

• Kentucky Wildcats' Jaland Lowe and Amari Williams have received invitations to the NBA G League Elite Camp, scheduled for May 9-11. Strong performances could earn them spots in the NBA Draft Combine .

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🗓️ Upcoming Playoff Schedule (All times ET)

• Monday, May 5

  • Game 1: Celtics vs. Knicks – 7:00 PM

  • Game 1: Thunder vs. Nuggets – 9:30 PM

• Tuesday, May 6

  • Game 2: Cavaliers vs. Pacers – 7:00 PM

  • Game 1: Timberwolves vs. Warriors – 9:30 PM

• Wednesday, May 7

  • Game 2: Celtics vs. Knicks – 7:00 PM

  • Game 2: Thunder vs. Nuggets – 9:30 PM

• Thursday, May 8

  • Game 2: Timberwolves vs. Warriors – 8:30 PM