Basketball excitement reaches its peak. Every spring, the NBA’s top teams face off in an intense battle for the championship, delivering high-energy matchups, strategic showdowns, and unforgettable moments. The Playoffs are not only the culmination of months of competition-they’re also a chance to write new chapters in the sport’s rich history.
The 2025 edition of the NBA Playoffs is no exception. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, each matchup promises drama and high-level competition. From the opening rounds to the Finals, expectations are high for both franchises and fans, all eager to see how their teams perform under the pressure of win-or-go-home stakes.
Whether you’re rooting for a title contender or just tuning in for the love of the game, this is your guide to everything you need to follow the road to the championship.
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2024-25 NBA Season Standings
Western Conference
- Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)
- Houston Rockets (52-30)
- Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)
- Denver Nuggets (50-32)
- Los Angeles Clippers (50-32)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
- Golden State Warriors (48-34)
- Memphis Grizzlies (48-34)
- Sacramento Kings (40-42)
- Dallas Mavericks (39-43)
Eastern Conference
- Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
- Boston Celtics (61-21)
- New York Knicks (51-31)
- Indiana Pacers (50-32)
- Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
- Detroit Pistons (44-38)
- Orlando Magic (41-41)
- Atlanta Hawks (40-42)
- Chicago Bulls (39-43)
- Miami Heat (37-45)
NBA Play-In Tournament
Tuesday, April 15
- Atlanta Hawks (East 8) vs Orlando Magic (East 7) | 7:30 ET, TNT (*winner advances to playoffs as East No. 7 seed)
- Memphis Grizzlies (West 8) vs Golden State Warriors (West 7) | 10 ET, TNT (*winner advances to playoffs as West No. 7 seed)
Wednesday, April 16
- Miami Heat (East 10) vs Chicago Bulls (East 9) | 7:30 ET, ESPN
- Dallas Mavericks (West 10) vs Sacramento Kings (West 9) | 10 ET, ESPN
Friday, April 18
- East 9/10 winner vs. East 7/8 loser | TBD, TNT (*winner advances to playoffs as East No. 8 seed)
- West 9/10 winner vs. West 7/8 loser | TBD, ESPN (*winner advances to playoffs as West No. 8 seed)
NBA Playoffs 2025: First Round
The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs will start April 19. Dates and times will be announced soon.
Western Conference
- (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Play-In Winner
- (3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
- (4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers
Eastern Conference
- (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner
- (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
- (3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
- (4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Conference Semifinals 2025
- May 5-6 (possible move up to May 3-4)
Conference Finals 2025
Western Conference
- May 20: Game 1 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET (possible series move up to May 18)
- May 22: Game 2 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 24: Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 26: Game 4 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 28: Game 5 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET (*if necessary)
- May 30: Game 6 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET (*if necessary)
- June 1: Game 7 on ESPN, 8 p.m. ET (*if necessary)
Eastern Conference
- May 21: Game 1 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (possible series move up to May 19)
- May 23: Game 2 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 25: Game 3 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 27: Game 4 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 29: Game 5 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (*if necessary)
- May 31: Game 6 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (*if necessary)
- June 2: Game 7 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (*if necessary)
NBA Finals 2025
- June 5: Game 1 on ABC
- June 8: Game 2 on ABC
- June 11: Game 3 on ABC
- June 13: Game 4 on ABC
- June 16: Game 5 on ABC (*if necessary)
- June 19: Game 6 on ABC (*if necessary)
- June 22: Game 7 on ABC (*if necessary)
