The race for the NBA championship is officially underway, and the 2025 postseason is shaping up to be nothing short of thrilling. With elite teams clashing and superstars stepping up, fans can anticipate game-winning shots, unforgettable rivalries, and highlight-reel moments as one franchise works its way toward the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Each playoff season brings a fresh chapter filled with surprises. The 2025 edition showcases a compelling mix of seasoned champions and rising stars, ensuring must-watch action from the Play-In Tournament all the way to the NBA Finals. This comprehensive guide keeps you informed as the journey to basketball glory unfolds.
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Final 2024-25 Regular Season Standings
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)
2. Houston Rockets (52-30)
3. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)
4. Denver Nuggets (50-32)
5. LA Clippers (50-32)
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
7. Golden State Warriors (48-34)
8. Memphis Grizzlies (48-34)
9. Sacramento Kings (40-42)
10. Dallas Mavericks (39-43)
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
2. Boston Celtics (61-21)
3. New York Knicks (51-31)
4. Indiana Pacers (50-32)
5. Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
6. Detroit Pistons (44-38)
7. Orlando Magic (41-41)
8. Atlanta Hawks (40-42)
9. Chicago Bulls (39-43)
10. Miami Heat (37-45)
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Play-In Tournament Results
Tuesday, April 15
Orlando Magic (7) defeated Atlanta Hawks (8), 120–95
Golden State Warriors (7) defeated Memphis Grizzlies (8), 121–116
Wednesday, April 16
Miami Heat (10) beat Chicago Bulls (9), 109–90
Dallas Mavericks (10) topped Sacramento Kings (9), 120–106
Friday, April 18
Miami Heat locked up the 8th seed in the East, beating Atlanta 123–114
Memphis Grizzlies secured the final playoff spot in the West, defeating Dallas 120–106
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2025 NBA Playoffs – Opening Round
Eastern Conference
(1) Cavaliers vs. (8) Heat
Game 1: Sun, Apr 20 – 7 PM ET (TNT)
Game 2: Wed, Apr 23 – 7:30 PM ET (NBA TV)
Game 3: Sat, Apr 26 – 1 PM ET (TNT)
Game 4: Mon, Apr 28 – Time TBD
Games 5-7: If required (Apr 30, May 2, May 4)
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Magic
Game 1: Sun, Apr 20 – 3:30 PM ET (ABC)
Game 2: Wed, Apr 23 – 7 PM ET (TNT)
Game 3: Fri, Apr 25 – 7 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Sun, Apr 27 – 7 PM ET (TNT)
Games 5-7: If needed (Apr 29, May 1, May 3)
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons
Game 1: Sat, Apr 19 – 6 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Mon, Apr 21 – 7:30 PM ET (TNT)
Game 3: Thu, Apr 24 – 7 PM ET (TNT)
Game 4: Sun, Apr 27 – 1 PM ET (ABC)
Games 5-7: If required (Apr 29, May 1, May 3)
(4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks
Game 1: Sat, Apr 19 – 1 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Tue, Apr 22 – 7 PM ET (NBA TV)
Game 3: Fri, Apr 25 – 8 PM ET (ESPNU/NBA TV)
Game 4: Sun, Apr 27 – 9:30 PM ET (TNT)
Games 5-7: If necessary (Apr 29, May 2, May 4)
Western Conference
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Grizzlies
Game 1: Sun, Apr 20 – 1 PM ET (ABC)
Game 2: Tue, Apr 22 – 7:30 PM ET (TNT)
Game 3: Thu, Apr 24 – 9:30 PM ET (TNT)
Game 4: Sat, Apr 26 – 3:30 PM ET (TNT)
Games 5-7: If needed (Apr 28, May 1, May 3)
(2) Rockets vs. (7) Warriors
Game 1: Sun, Apr 20 – 9:30 PM ET (TNT)
Game 2: Wed, Apr 23 – 9:30 PM ET (TNT)
Game 3: Sat, Apr 26 – 8:30 PM ET (ABC)
Game 4: Mon, Apr 28 – 10 PM ET (TNT)
Games 5-7: If required (Apr 30, May 2, May 4)
(3) Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves
Game 1: Sat, Apr 19 – 8:30 PM ET (ABC)
Game 2: Tue, Apr 22 – 10 PM ET (TNT)
Game 3: Fri, Apr 25 – 9:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Sun, Apr 27 – 3:30 PM ET (ABC)
Games 5-7: If needed (Apr 30, May 2, May 4)
(4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers
Game 1: Sat, Apr 19 – 3:30 PM ET (ESPN)
Game 2: Mon, Apr 21 – 10 PM ET (TNT)
Game 3: Thu, Apr 24 – 10 PM ET (NBA TV)
Game 4: Sat, Apr 26 – 6 PM ET (TNT)
Games 5-7: If required (Apr 29, May 1, May 3)
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Conference Semifinals
Projected Start: May 5–6 (May begin as early as May 3–4 depending on series results)
Series will follow a best-of-seven format.
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Conference Finals
Western Conference Finals (Airing on ESPN/ABC)
Game 1: May 20 – 8:30 PM ET
Game 2: May 22 – 8:30 PM ET
Game 3: May 24 – 8:30 PM ET (ABC)
Game 4: May 26 – 8:30 PM ET
Games 5-7: May 28, May 30, June 1 (if necessary)
Eastern Conference Finals (Broadcast on TNT)
Game 1: May 21 – 8 PM ET
Game 2: May 23 – 8 PM ET
Game 3: May 25 – 8 PM ET
Game 4: May 27 – 8 PM ET
Games 5-7: May 29, May 31, June 2 (if necessary)
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NBA Finals 2025 (Airing on ABC)
Game 1: June 5
Game 2: June 8
Game 3: June 11
Game 4: June 13
Game 5: June 16 (if needed)
Game 6: June 19 (if needed)
Game 7: June 22 (if needed)
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No matter when you join the excitement—whether at the opening tip or during a crucial Game 7—you won’t want to miss a moment of the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The battle for basketball’s ultimate prize is on. Let the madness begin.
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