The 2025 NBA Playoffs officially began on Saturday, April 19, following an intense play-in tournament that set the stage for the 16-team postseason battle. The playoffs promise thrilling action as top teams from both conferences vie for the championship.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured the No. 1 seed, boasting the league’s highest offensive rating. They will face the Miami Heat, who earned their playoff spot as a No. 8 seed after a dramatic play-in victory. The Boston Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, hold the No. 2 seed and will face the Orlando Magic.
The Western Conference sees the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by MVP hopeful Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as the top seed. They await the winner between the Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks, who battled fiercely in the play-in tournament. Other key matchups include the Denver Nuggets versus the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers facing the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The play-in tournament featured standout performances, including the Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro, who helped the team become the first No. 10 seed to advance to the playoffs. The Memphis Grizzlies also secured their spot with strong showings.
The first round of the playoffs is a best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded teams enjoying home-court advantage. Fans can look forward to intense games broadcast across ESPN, ABC, and TNT.
With stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry still competing and emerging young talents stepping up, the 2025 NBA Playoffs are shaping up to be a memorable postseason full of surprises and high-level basketball.
