The 2025 NBA playoffs are officially underway. The Pacers, Nuggets, Knicks and Timberwolves all got Game 1 wins on Saturday as the first round got started. The other four series — Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Celtics vs. Magic, Cavaliers vs. Heat and Rockets vs. Warriors — have Game 1s on Sunday.
The Western Conference is full of intriguing first-round matchups this season. The seventh-seeded and battled-tested Warriors are favored over the second-seeded but relatively inexperienced Rockets. The Lakers saw the playoff debut of Luka Dončić, who scored 37 points on Saturday against the Wolves, but L.A. was burned inside. The 4-5 matchup between the Nuggets and Clippers could go either way with Nikola Jokić on one side and Kawhi Leonard on the other. Game 1 went to overtime in Denver with the Nuggets prevailing.
In the East, our experts expect it to be a chalky first round. On paper, the Cavaliers and Celtics should be able to take care of business against the Heat and Magic, respectively. The Knicks lost the season series to the Pistons, but New York is heavily favored to win this best-of-seven matchup and went on a key fourth-quarter run to take Game 1. Bucks-Pacers reignites a rivalry in the 4-5 matchup, but Milwaukee is without Damian Lillard to start the series.
But, as we learn each and every year, anything can happen in the playoffs.
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: 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 vs. Heat, 7 p.m., TNT/fubo
Game 1: Rockets vs. Warriors, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Monday, April 21
Game 2: Knicks vs. Pistons, 7:30 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 2: Nuggets vs. Clippers, 10 p.m., TNT/Max
Tuesday, April 22
Game 2: Pacers vs. Bucks, 7 p.m., NBA TV/fubo
Game 2: Thunder vs. Grizzlies, 7:30 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 2: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, 10 p.m., TNT/Max
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
Thursday, April 24
Game 3: Pistons vs. Knicks, 7 p.m., TNT/fubo
Game 3: Grizzlies vs. Thunder, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3: Clippers vs. Nuggets, 10 p.m., TV TBD
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, 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, Time/TV TBD
*Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks, Time/TV TBD
*Game 5: Nuggets vs. Clippers, Time/TV TBD
Wednesday, April 30
*Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Heat, Time/TV TBD
*Game 5: Rockets vs. Warriors, Time/TV TBD
*Game 5: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, Time/TV TBD
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, 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
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
New Panthers WR Hunter Renfrow reveals why he took a one-year hiatus from the NFL before making his return
Getty Images Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is one step closer to an NFL comeback. On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers announced they had signed the 29-year-old slot weapon. The former Las Vegas Raiders wideout reportedly worked out for both the Panthers and Raiders last month after sitting out the 2024 season, and now has landed a deal following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. Renfrow is a South Carolina native who became a Clemson legend by winning two College Football Playoff national championships -- including in 2017, when he caught the game-winning pass from Deshaun Watson to defeat Alabama. The Raiders selected Renfrow in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he recorded two 100-yard outings in his first NFL season. Renfrow's best season came in 2021, when he caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns -- leading […]
Steelers draft picks, grades: 1 thing Pittsburgh didn’t do and the 1 thing it definitely got right
Getty Images Good things come to those who wait. In some ways, that was the story of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 draft. On more than one occasion during the three-day event, a player who was on Pittsburgh's radar was there for the taking when the Steelers were on the clock. While they had considered trading back in the first round, they stayed put when it became apparent that drafting Oregon's Derrick Harmon with the 21st pick might be a possibility. That is ultimately what happened, as the Steelers were able to fill their biggest pre-draft need (defensive line) with one of the draft's top-ranked defensive lineman prospects. History seemed to repeat itself throughout Pittsburgh's draft. In the third round, the Steelers filled another key nee when they drafted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who was expected to go off the board sooner […]
U hokejistů Vancouveru nebude pokračovat trenér Tocchet
Nyní jednašedesátiletý Tocchet nahradil ve Vancouveru v lednu roku 2023 Bruce Boudreaua. Loni získal Cenu Jacka Adamse pro nejlepšího trenéra v lize, poté co dovedl Canucks k vítězství v Pacifické divizi. Letos kanadský klub do play off nepostoupil.Někdejší kanadský útočník s 1144 zápasy v NHL působil před Vancouverem v roli hlavního kouče v Arizoně a Tampě Bay. V letech 2016 a 2017 pomohl v roli asistenta trenéra k zisku Stanley Cupu hokejistům Pittsburghu.
Joel Klatt dives into why Shedeur Sanders dropped to the 5th round | The Herd
THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD Trending MLB NFL UFL NTT INDYCAR SERIES NASCAR LIV NBA PGA NCAABK NCAAFB
Reencontro de nova comissão técnica do Santos não passou por Tite, que não tem pretensões de assumir o clube
Cleber Xavier será apresentado oficialmente em coletiva de imprensa nesta quarta-feira (30), às 12h30, e já comandará o Santos na partida contra o CRB, nesta quinta (1), às 18h, na Vila Belmiro, pelo duelo de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil de 2025.
Burrell strikes as Burton claim Wigan point to secure League One safety
Rumarn Burrell was on target as Burton claimed the point they needed to secure League One safety in their penultimate match of the season following a 1-1 draw with Wigan at Pirelli Stadium.The striker's 11th goal of the campaign looked to have given Albion all three points until Ronan Darcy curled in an effort from distance in the closing moments of second-half stoppage time to claim a share of the spoils. The hosts were all but secure ahead of the game - courtesy of their goal difference - but their point confirmed relegation for both Crawley and Bristol Rovers ahead of the final weekend of the season.The first half was lacking in clear goal attempts from either side. Albion started positively but could not fashion a clear chance on Sam Tickle's goal.Charlie Webster - on his return from suspension - […]
Related
New Panthers WR Hunter Renfrow reveals why he took a one-year hiatus from the NFL before making his return
Getty Images Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is one step closer to an NFL comeback. On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers announced they had signed the 29-year-old slot weapon. The former Las Vegas Raiders wideout reportedly worked out for both the Panthers and Raiders last month after sitting out the 2024 season, and now has landed a deal following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. Renfrow is a South Carolina native who became a Clemson legend by winning two College Football Playoff national championships -- including in 2017, when he caught the game-winning pass from Deshaun Watson to defeat Alabama. The Raiders selected Renfrow in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he recorded two 100-yard outings in his first NFL season. Renfrow's best season came in 2021, when he caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns -- leading […]
Steelers draft picks, grades: 1 thing Pittsburgh didn’t do and the 1 thing it definitely got right
Getty Images Good things come to those who wait. In some ways, that was the story of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 draft. On more than one occasion during the three-day event, a player who was on Pittsburgh's radar was there for the taking when the Steelers were on the clock. While they had considered trading back in the first round, they stayed put when it became apparent that drafting Oregon's Derrick Harmon with the 21st pick might be a possibility. That is ultimately what happened, as the Steelers were able to fill their biggest pre-draft need (defensive line) with one of the draft's top-ranked defensive lineman prospects. History seemed to repeat itself throughout Pittsburgh's draft. In the third round, the Steelers filled another key nee when they drafted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who was expected to go off the board sooner […]
U hokejistů Vancouveru nebude pokračovat trenér Tocchet
Nyní jednašedesátiletý Tocchet nahradil ve Vancouveru v lednu roku 2023 Bruce Boudreaua. Loni získal Cenu Jacka Adamse pro nejlepšího trenéra v lize, poté co dovedl Canucks k vítězství v Pacifické divizi. Letos kanadský klub do play off nepostoupil.Někdejší kanadský útočník s 1144 zápasy v NHL působil před Vancouverem v roli hlavního kouče v Arizoně a Tampě Bay. V letech 2016 a 2017 pomohl v roli asistenta trenéra k zisku Stanley Cupu hokejistům Pittsburghu.
Joel Klatt dives into why Shedeur Sanders dropped to the 5th round | The Herd
THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD Trending MLB NFL UFL NTT INDYCAR SERIES NASCAR LIV NBA PGA NCAABK NCAAFB
Reencontro de nova comissão técnica do Santos não passou por Tite, que não tem pretensões de assumir o clube
Cleber Xavier será apresentado oficialmente em coletiva de imprensa nesta quarta-feira (30), às 12h30, e já comandará o Santos na partida contra o CRB, nesta quinta (1), às 18h, na Vila Belmiro, pelo duelo de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil de 2025.
Burrell strikes as Burton claim Wigan point to secure League One safety
Rumarn Burrell was on target as Burton claimed the point they needed to secure League One safety in their penultimate match of the season following a 1-1 draw with Wigan at Pirelli Stadium.The striker's 11th goal of the campaign looked to have given Albion all three points until Ronan Darcy curled in an effort from distance in the closing moments of second-half stoppage time to claim a share of the spoils. The hosts were all but secure ahead of the game - courtesy of their goal difference - but their point confirmed relegation for both Crawley and Bristol Rovers ahead of the final weekend of the season.The first half was lacking in clear goal attempts from either side. Albion started positively but could not fashion a clear chance on Sam Tickle's goal.Charlie Webster - on his return from suspension - […]
Be the first to leave a comment