The stage is officially set for the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs after a thrilling finish to the first round.
The Golden State Warriors clinched the final spot with a 103-89 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 7 on Sunday night, completing the eight-team bracket that will battle for a spot in the conference finals, Idman.biz reports.
In the East, the matchups feature the Cleveland Cavaliers facing the Indiana Pacers, and the Boston Celtics taking on the New York Knicks. The Pacers have already made noise in the second round, stunning the Cavaliers in Game 1 on Sunday with a 121-112 win in Cleveland. The Knicks and Celtics will open their series Monday night in Boston.
Out West, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, will meet the Denver Nuggets, who edged out the Los Angeles Clippers in seven games. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves and Warriors square off in what promises to be an explosive series starting Tuesday.
How the first round unfolded
The first round delivered plenty of drama and standout performances. The Cavaliers and Thunder both cruised to sweeps, while the Celtics, Pacers, and Timberwolves each advanced in five games. The Knicks needed six games to dispatch the Pistons, while the Nuggets and Warriors had to survive grueling seven-game battles against the Clippers and Rockets, respectively.
Notably, the Thunder head into the second round as the betting favorites to win the title (+130 at Caesars).
Second-Round Schedule
Sunday, May 4
Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112 (Game 1)
Monday, May 5
Celtics vs. Knicks, 7 p.m.
Thunder vs. Nuggets, 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 6
Cavaliers vs. Pacers (Game 2), 7 p.m.
Timberwolves vs. Warriors (Game 1), 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 7
Celtics vs. Knicks (Game 2), 7 p.m.
Thunder vs. Nuggets (Game 2), 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 8
Timberwolves vs. Warriors (Game 2), 8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 9
Pacers vs. Cavaliers (Game 3), 7:30 p.m.
Nuggets vs. Thunder (Game 3), 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
Knicks vs. Celtics (Game 3), 3:30 p.m.
Warriors vs. Timberwolves (Game 3), 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 11
Nuggets vs. Thunder (Game 4), 3:30 p.m.
Pacers vs. Cavaliers (Game 4), 8 p.m.
Monday, May 12
Knicks vs. Celtics (Game 4), 7:30 p.m.
Warriors vs. Timberwolves (Game 4), 10 p.m.
Potential Game 5s
Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14
Potential Game 6s
Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, May 18
Potential Game 7s
Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20
Idman.biz
