The 2025 NBA playoffs are officially underway, and the first round is in full swing with eight matchups. The Knicks, Thunder and Clippers were all victorious on Thursday night, and they enter the weekend with series leads. The Thunder, who pulled off a historic comeback against the Grizzlies, are up 3-0 in the best-of-seven matchup and could be the first team to punch their ticket to the second round.
The Knicks, meanwhile, took down the Pistons in Game 3 of their matchup on Thursday night, going up 2-1 over Detroit. The Cavaliers, Celtics and Pacers all have 2-0 leads in the East over the Heat, Magic and Bucks, respectively. Miami, Orlando and Milwaukee will all try to get back into their series this weekend at home.
Things have been tighter so far in the Western Conference. Three of the West’s four matchups were tied, 1-1, after two games. The Clippers had a commanding home win over the Nuggets on Thursday to go up 2-1 in that series, while Lakers-Timberwolves and Rockets-Warriors will play crucial Game 3s in the coming days.
Jimmy Butler’s injury looms over the Warriors vs. Rocket series as his status for Game 3 and beyond could swing the entire matchup. The Celtics, however, were able to pick up a Game 2 win against the Magic without Jayson Tatum, who missed the game with a “severe” bone bruise.
Jimmy Butler’s injury could rewrite what looked like the final chapter of Jonathan Kuminga’s Warriors tenure
Sam Quinn
Our experts were in alignment about every first-round series, but, as we learn 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…
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