NBA Playoffs 2025: Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals Drama Unfolds
May 14, 2025, 10:02 PM ET
The 2025 NBA playoffs are heating up as we dive into the second round, and the excitement is palpable. Our NBA insiders are here to guide you through every thrilling moment of the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals. Let’s break down the action and see where each series stands.
Eastern Conference
The No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers have been on a roll, kicking off the East semis by taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. They never looked back, completing the series on Tuesday night to become the first team to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Meanwhile, the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics managed to hold off the No. 3 seed New York Knicks in Game 5 on Wednesday night, even without their star player, Jayson Tatum. The Celtics will now head to Madison Square Garden for a crucial Game 6 on Friday.
(3) New York Knicks lead (2) Boston Celtics 3-2
Game 5: Celtics 127, Knicks 102
What we learned: Despite the absence of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics showed resilience. Derrick White stepped up with a stellar 34-point performance, while Jaylen Brown contributed 26 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds. Luke Kornet also made a significant impact with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks. The Celtics outscored the Knicks by 25 in the second half, and with Jalen Brunson fouling out in the fourth quarter, the series heads back to New York for Game 6.
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks (Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What to watch: With emotions running high after Tatum’s injury, the Celtics will need to maintain their momentum at Madison Square Garden. Derrick White’s hot shooting and Jaylen Brown’s aggressive play will be crucial. The Knicks, aiming to close out a playoff series at home for the first time since 1999, must tighten their defense. Luke Kornet’s defensive prowess could be a game-changer if he replicates his Game 5 performance.
(4) Indiana Pacers win series against the (1) Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1
Game 5: Pacers 114, Cavaliers 105
What we learned: The Pacers’ stars shone brightly, with Tyrese Haliburton scoring 28 points and dishing out eight assists. Pascal Siakam added 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Cavaliers struggled, with Donovan Mitchell scoring 35 points but shooting just 8-of-24 from the field. The Cavs’ core players had inconsistent performances, leading to a disappointing finish for Cleveland, who won 64 games in the regular season but became the fourth 60-win team in NBA history to lose a best-of-seven series in five games or fewer before the conference finals.
What to watch for in the Eastern Conference finals: The Pacers, heading to the conference finals for the second straight season, are brimming with confidence after upsetting the top-seeded Cavs. They await their opponent, with potential rematches against the Knicks or Celtics on the horizon. The Pacers have made come-from-behind victories a signature in this postseason, becoming the first team in NBA history to win three games after trailing by 19 or more points.
Western Conference
In the West, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder took a 3-1 series lead in Game 5 against the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets, thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 31-point performance.
(6) Minnesota Timberwolves lead (7) Golden State Warriors 3-1
Game 4: Timberwolves 117, Warriors 110
What we learned: Jonathan Kuminga’s first-half performance was promising, but the Warriors faltered in the third quarter. The Timberwolves went on a 17-0 run, taking a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. Anthony Edwards was the standout player, scoring 16 of his 30 points in the pivotal third quarter. With Stephen Curry sidelined, the Warriors will need their key players to step up in Game 5.
Game 6: Thunder at Nuggets (Thursday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
What to watch: The Thunder showed resilience, closing Game 5 on a 9-2 run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 31 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. The Nuggets need more from their supporting cast, as Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined for 76 of the team’s 105 points. This series has been thrilling, and it seems destined to go the full seven games.
As the chase for the Larry O’Brien Trophy continues, keep an eye on these key matchups and storylines. The drama is far from over, and the excitement is only building as we approach the conference finals.
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
