NBA Playoffs Heat Up with Semifinals and Finals on Horizon

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The 2025 NBA playoffs are in full swing as the conference semifinals begin. The NBA Finals will start on June 5, with teams vying for the coveted championship title.

As of May 17, the Eastern Conference features the Indiana Pacers facing off against the New York Knicks, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are in a tough battle with the Denver Nuggets. The Minnesota Timberwolves currently lead their series against the Golden State Warriors.

The Pacers advanced to this stage by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sweeping 4-0 series, while the Knicks overcame the Boston Celtics in six games, claiming a 4-2 victory. The Pacers and Knicks match-up is highly anticipated, with the first game set for May 21.

In the Western Conference, the Thunder and Nuggets are tied at 3-3, with a decisive Game 7 scheduled for May 18. The Timberwolves secured their spot in the next round by eliminating the Warriors in a 4-1 series.

Fans can catch all the action on TNT and ESPN, with several critical games lined up this week. Stephen Curry’s absence due to a hamstring injury has been a significant storyline, impacting the Warriors’ performance as they attempt to advance.

The NBA playoffs’ structure follows a best-of-seven format, where teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record has home-court advantage.

The conference finals are set to begin shortly after the semifinals, building toward the highly awaited NBA Finals in June.