The first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs tips has begun, and fans can expect an action-filled postseason.
After a historic season of dominance, the Cleveland Cavaliers have claimed the No. 1 seed in the East. The defending champions Boston Celtics wrapped up the No. 2 seed, led by Jayson Tatum and reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are ready to rumble after commanding the No. 1 seed for a second straight season behind MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Finishing at No. 2 were the Houston Rockets, one of the season’s most improved teams. LeBron James and Luka Doncic led the Los Angeles Lakers to a No. 3 seed.
After the play-in tournament concluded on Friday, the 16-team NBA playoffs begin on Saturday with four games, followed by and four more on April 20. Eight teams from each conference reach the first round and face off in a best-of-seven series to advance. All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-seven, and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have home-court advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary).
We’ll have complete coverage of the NBA playoffs all the way through the 2025 NBA Finals, which tip off June 5 on ABC and the ESPN App.
: Each series picked through the Finals | Offseason guides
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Game 1, April 20: Miami at Cleveland (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2, April 23: Miami at Cleveland (7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 3, April 26: Cleveland at Miami (1 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 4, April 28: Cleveland at Miami (TBD)
Game 5, April 30 (if necessary): Miami at Cleveland (TBD)
Game 6, May 2 (if necessary): Cleveland at Miami (TBD)
Game 7, May 4 (if necessary): Miami at Cleveland (TBD)
0:24
Davion Mitchell buries dagger 3 in OT to clinch 8-seed for the Heat
Davion Mitchell silences the Atlanta crowd after missing a 3-pointer, then getting his own rebound and draining the shot.
More:
Game 1, April 20: Orlando at Boston (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 2, April 23: Orlando at Boston (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3, April 25: Boston at Orlando (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4, April 27: Boston at Orlando (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5, April 29 (if necessary): Orlando at Boston (TBD)
Game 6, May 1 (if necessary): Boston at Orlando (TBD)
Game 7, May 3 (if necessary): Orlando at Boston (TBD)
2:41
Why Stephen A. thinks there’s been a lack of appreciation for Jayson Tatum
Stephen A. Smith details why the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum should have more recognition for his career thus far.
More:
(Knicks lead series, 1-0)
Game 1, April 19: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
Game 2, April 21: Detroit at New York (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3, April 24: New York at Detroit (TBD, TNT)
Game 4, April 27: New York at Detroit (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5, April 29 (if necessary): Detroit at New York (TBD)
Game 6, May 1 (if necessary): New York at Detroit (TBD)
Game 7, May 3 (if necessary): Detroit at New York (TBD)
0:20
MSG loves Jalen Brunson’s cold floater for Knicks
Jalen Brunson floats it in for the Knicks to Madison Square Garden’s delight vs. the Pistons.
More:
Game 1, April 19: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Game 2, April 22: Milwaukee at Indiana (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 3, April 25: Indiana at Milwaukee (8 p.m. ET, ESPNU/NBA TV)
Game 4, April 27: Indiana at Milwaukee (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5, April 29 (if necessary): Milwaukee at Indiana (TBD)
Game 6, May 2 (if necessary): Indiana at Milwaukee (TBD)
Game 7, May 4 (if necessary): Milwaukee at Indiana (TBD)
0:20
Damian Lillard, Tyrese Haliburton jaw at each other during a timeout
Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton start jawing at each other as both teams are trying to go to their bench.
More:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Game 1, April 20: Memphis at Oklahoma City (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 2, April 22: Memphis at Oklahoma City (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3, April 24: Oklahoma City at Memphis (TBD, TNT)
Game 4, April 26: Oklahoma City at Memphis (3:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5, April 28 (if necessary): Memphis at Oklahoma City (TBD)
Game 6, May 1 (if necessary): Oklahoma City at Memphis (TBD)
Game 7, May 3 (if necessary): Memphis at Oklahoma City (TBD)
2:31
Ja Morant on his ankle: ‘I couldn’t feel it, that’s why I was out there’
Ja Morant reflects on what it was like to play in the Grizzlies’ 120-106 win over the Mavericks to advance to the NBA playoffs.
More:
Game 1, April 20: Golden State at Houston (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2, April 23: Golden State at Houston (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3, April 26: Houston at Golden State (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4, April 28: Houston at Golden State (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5, April 30 (if necessary): Golden State at Houston (TBD)
Game 6, May 2 (if necessary): Houston at Golden State (TBD)
Game 7, May 4 (if necessary): Golden State at Houston (TBD)
1:03
How Jimmy Butler rejuvenated the Warriors’ season
Golden State’s postseason hopes rest on Jimmy Butler’s impact as the Warriors push for one more run with their core.
More:
Game 1, April 19: Minnesota at Los Angeles (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 2, April 22: Minnesota at Los Angeles (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3, April 25: Los Angeles at Minnesota (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4, April 27: Los Angeles at Minnesota (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5, April 30 (if necessary): Minnesota at Los Angeles (TBD)
Game 6, May 2 (if necessary): Los Angeles at Minnesota (TBD)
Game 7, May 4 (if necessary): Minnesota at Los Angeles (TBD)
0:52
Chiney Ogwumike loves the ‘superstar power’ in Wolves-Lakers
Chiney Ogwumike is excited to see what Anthony Edwards does in the Lakers-Wolves playoff matchup.
More:
Game 1, April 19: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
Game 2, April 21: LA at Denver (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3, April 24: Denver at LA (TBD, NBA TV)
Game 4, April 26: Denver at LA (6 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5, April 29 (if necessary): LA at Denver (TBD)
Game 6, May 1 (if necessary): Denver at LA (TBD)
Game 7, May 3 (if necessary): LA at Denver (TBD)
0:50
Russell Westbrook’s clutch defensive play helps Nuggets hang on in Game 1
Russell Westbrook breaks up an inbounds pass that goes off of James Harden for a Clippers turnover late in overtime.
More:
