NBA Playoffs 2025: First Round Drama Unfolds
As we dive into the second week of the 2025 NBA playoffs, the first round has already delivered some captivating matchups and unexpected turns. The Western Conference saw the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder swiftly dispatch the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies in a clean sweep, setting the tone for what promises to be an intense postseason.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the top four seeds are on the verge of advancing to the next round. The No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers are poised to complete a sweep against the 8-seed Miami Heat on Monday. Meanwhile, the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics and the 3-seed New York Knicks are looking to close out their series against the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic and the No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons, respectively.
The fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks face a daunting task as they attempt to extend their series against the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. The challenge is compounded by the unfortunate news that Damian Lillard has suffered a torn Achilles tendon, sidelining him for the remainder of the playoffs and beyond.
In the Western Conference, the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets and the fifth-seeded LA Clippers are locked in a fierce battle. Their series opened with an overtime thriller, followed by a dramatic game-winning buzzer-beating dunk from Denver’s Aaron Gordon. The future of the 7-seed Golden State Warriors hangs in the balance as they await the status of Jimmy Butler III (pelvis). Meanwhile, the No. 3-seeded Los Angeles Lakers are looking to recover from a disappointing loss to the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves, which has put L.A. down 3-1 in the series.
Week 1 of the playoffs has been a showcase of superstar performances and thrilling fourth quarters. Our NBA insiders have been keeping a close eye on the action, breaking down the key moments and what to watch for as the playoffs progress.
What’s next for the Bucks after Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury?
The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a precarious position, down 3-1 with two of the potential three remaining games in Indianapolis. The loss of Lillard to an Achilles rupture is a significant blow, and Bucks coach Doc Rivers must now focus on finding a lineup that can deliver defensively. The Pacers have been scoring at least 120 points per 100 possessions in all three of their wins, so a defensive adjustment is crucial.
One potential solution is to start Ryan Rollins, who stepped in for Lillard during the Bucks’ season-ending eight-game winning streak, alongside Kevin Porter Jr and Gary Trent Jr. They would join Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in the frontcourt.
Porter will be key in compensating for Lillard’s scoring absence. He averaged 15.3 PPG over the final 12 games of the regular season, shooting 57% on 2s and 38% on 3-point attempts, while also contributing 5.0 APG as a secondary playmaker. Looking ahead, Lillard’s injury complicates Milwaukee’s offseason plans. The Bucks face potential luxury tax issues if Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis exercise their player options and the team re-signs Lopez, an unrestricted free agent. Porter has a player option for the veteran’s minimum ($2.5 million) that he’ll likely decline.
With only non-Bird rights to Porter, the Bucks will likely have to choose between using their midlevel exception to bring him back or adding a point guard to replace Lillard. The overarching question is whether Antetokounmpo believes Milwaukee can still contend for a championship. If the Bucks exit in the first round for a third consecutive season and enter 2025-26 with Lillard’s return uncertain, their status as title contenders is questionable. — Kevin Pelton
The Cavaliers are up 3-0 and the Celtics are leading 3-1 in their respective series. Is this the Eastern Conference finals matchup?
While the Cavaliers and Celtics are in strong positions, it’s important not to overlook the Pacers, who are also up 3-1 against the injury-plagued Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana finished the season with a 14-4 record, and Tyrese Haliburton has been in excellent form, which has carried into the playoffs. The Pacers have the versatility to match up with the Cavaliers and stretch the floor effectively.
While the Celtics are favored in a potential series against the Knicks, having swept the regular-season series 4-0, the Cavaliers are also favorites in the next round. They’ve been playing their best basketball against the Miami Heat, but they will respect the challenge posed by Indiana. The Cavs’ camp certainly will. — Brian Windhorst
Which team in the East needs to make the biggest mid-series adjustment?
The Detroit Pistons have shown flashes of potential against the Knicks, but their youth and poor decision-making have been costly, leaving them down 3-1. In Game 4, Detroit committed 19 turnovers, mirroring their Game 1 defeat. These lost possessions are critical, especially since the Pistons are without a solid offensive rebounder in Isaiah Stewart and have struggled from beyond the arc (35.2% from 3).
Detroit has yet to outshoot New York in any game this series, which is not a winning strategy. Leaning more on Dennis Schroder alongside Cade Cunningham could help the Pistons take better care of the ball. — Chris Herring
What do the Warriors need to do to win Game 4 and take a 3-1 lead back to Houston?
Getting Butler back would be a significant boost for Golden State. Butler is questionable but will have had five days to recover from a deep gluteal muscle contusion suffered in Game 2.
Even if the Warriors have to play without “Playoff Jimmy,” they have a winning blueprint from their 104-93 victory in Game 3. Stephen Curry will need to lead the charge as he did in Game 3, scoring 36 points (25 in the second and third quarters), along with nine assists and seven rebounds. He received support from Buddy Hield, who contributed 17 points and five 3s, and Gary Payton II, who added 16 points while Houston focused on Curry.
Defensively, the Warriors must contain Jalen Green. In the Rockets’ two losses, Green scored just seven and nine points, and Houston struggled to find other scoring options. — Ohm Youngmisuk
After firing their coach and getting swept in the first round, what is the offseason plan for the Grizzlies?
The Grizzlies need to secure their future by signing Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama to extensions. They must then choose a clear direction and stick with it. Over recent seasons, they’ve experimented with different offensive approaches, hiring three separate coaches with distinct visions, leading to confusion and a lack of continuity. Establishing a solid identity is crucial if they want to compete in the competitive Western Conference. — Ramona Shelburne
The Lakers-Timberwolves series will come down to: _____?
Depth. The Wolves’ bench outscored Los Angeles’ reserves 25-6 in Game 4, adding to a plus-42 advantage through the first three games. Lakers coach JJ Redick even resorted to using just five players for the entire second half on Sunday, sidelining Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jordan Goodwin, who had been regulars in L.A.’s second unit.
Part of the gap is due to team construction. Redick isn’t convinced that Alex Len is a viable backup center, and he’s hesitant to play Jaxson Hayes given the series’ trajectory. Meanwhile, Minnesota has benefited from strong performances by Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid, complementing the efforts of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. — Dave McMenamin
What is the biggest surprise in the first round of the Western Conference series so far?
One of the most surprising developments has been how quickly both Redick and Nuggets coach David Adelman have relied almost exclusively on their top five players with their teams down 2-1 on the road. Adelman’s decision was influenced by an injury to Russell Westbrook (foot), who missed Game 4. Only two teams in the past two decades have played reserves fewer than the 25.6 minutes Denver’s bench played on Saturday. Redick took it a step further on Sunday, becoming the first coach in the play-by-play era to play five players the entire second half without a substitution, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. — Pelton
Which team in the West has the best chance to knock off the Thunder?
The Clippers, who are battling the Nuggets for the right to face the No. 1 seed in the next round, have all the ingredients to challenge the Thunder. Winners of 20 of their past 25 games, the Clippers boast an elite defense and a superstar in Kawhi Leonard, who can be the best player in any series, even against the likely MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Offseason additions Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. will spearhead the defensive effort against Gilgeous-Alexander, who can’t be completely shut down, but the Clippers can at least make him work for every shot. — Tim MacMahon
Originally Written by: NBA insiders
