NBA Playoff Upsets: All Road Teams Win Game 1 in Historic Semifinals

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The second round of the NBA postseason opened with surprising results on May 7, 2025, as every road team won Game 1 of their series. This unprecedented event has never happened in NBA history during the conference semifinals.

The Indiana Pacers began their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a stunning double victory, stealing both games on the road. Coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We came in with a game plan and executed it perfectly. Our guys showed great heart.”n

In another upset, the New York Knicks shocked the Boston Celtics, delivering a strong performance and winning Game 1 decisively. Forward Julius Randle stated, “We really took it to them tonight. This victory sets the tone for the series.”

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors faced off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, overcoming an early exit from star player Stephen Curry to secure their win. Warriors coach Steve Kerr noted, “Our depth is our strength, and tonight it carried us through.”

Lastly, the Denver Nuggets pulled off a major upset against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Center Nikola Jokić starred in the game, raising questions about the NBA MVP race, especially as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also a top contender. Jokić commented, “It’s a team effort. I’m just glad we’re winning.”

As the semifinals continue, fans are eager to see if this trend of road victories will persist, or if the home teams will rebound in the following games.