The 2025 NBA Playoffs have become a rollercoaster of breakout stars and shocking twists, rewriting expectations as teams clash for basketball’s ultimate prize. Below is your guide to the drama, key dates, and how to watch every pivotal moment.

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Playoff Schedule at a Glance

The action tipped off on April 19 after the play-in tournament shook up the bracket. Current highlights:

• Conference Semifinals: May 5–12 (ongoing)

• Conference Finals: May 18–21 (projected)

• NBA Finals: June 5 (Game 1)

Where to Watch:
U.S. viewers: ESPN, ABC, TNT, NBA TV
International: TNT Sports (UK), Sky Sports (Australia), NBA League Pass

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Game-Changing Matchups

Thunder vs. Nuggets: New Era vs. Dynasty

Oklahoma City’s young core, spearheaded by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34 PPG, 7 APG), has stunned fans with their fast-paced style. Their 43-point demolition of Denver in Game 2 revealed a fatal flaw: the Nuggets’ overreliance on Nikola Jokić. Despite the Serbian’s monster 36-point, 21-rebound opener, Denver’s thin bench has struggled to counter OKC’s relentless rotations.

Why It Matters: This series could mark either Jokić’s last stand as the league’s best big man or SGA’s official coronation.

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Celtics vs. Knicks: A Collapsing Empire?

Boston’s record-breaking 61-win season means little after dropping two of three to New York. Jalen Brunson’s clutch 27-point Game 3 and the Knicks’ physical defense have exposed the Celtics’ fatal flaw:

• Overdependence on three-pointers (24.5% in Game 1)

• Jaylen Brown’s lingering knee issues

• Porziņģis’ inconsistent post presence

Key Stat: Boston is 0-7 in playoff games when shooting below 30% from deep since 2023.

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Timberwolves vs. Warriors: Youth vs. (Injured) Experience

Anthony Edwards’ ascension continues unabated – his 36-PPG playoff average has Minnesota tied 1-1 with Golden State. The Warriors’ hopes now rest on Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga, as Steph Curry’s hamstring injury sidelines him until at least Game 6. Minnesota’s twin towers (Gobert and Towns) have dominated the boards, outrebounding Golden State by 18 per game.

Wild Card: Can 21-year-old Warriors rookie Isaiah Hartenstein slow down KAT?

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X-Factors Shaping the Playoffs

Coaching Chess Matches

• OKC’s “wheel defense” – triple-teaming Jokić while rotating to shooters

• New York’s zone schemes disrupting Boston’s spacing

• Indiana’s three-point barrage (38.9% in series) against Cleveland’s elite rim protection

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Injury Watch

Player	Team	Status	Impact Level
Steph Curry	Warriors	Out until Game 6	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Donovan Mitchell	Cavaliers	Day-to-day (ankle)	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Porziņģis	Celtics	Limited mobility	⭐⭐⭐

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How to Watch Worldwide

Streaming Options:

• U.S.: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV

• Canada: Sportsnet NOW

• Europe: DAZN, NBA League Pass

• Asia: Tencent Sports, NBA Premium

Pro Tip: Use NBA League Pass’s condensed game replays if you can’t catch live action.

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Championship Predictions

While Oklahoma City (5/2 title odds) boasts the league’s best record and SGA’s brilliance, keep an eye on these dark horses:

1. Timberwolves: Edwards’ scoring + elite defense = championship DNA

2. Knicks: Brunson’s leadership and Thibodeau’s grit-and-grind style

3. Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell’s health could spark a Cinderella run

Final Thought: This postseason has already shattered expectations – and the biggest surprises may still lie ahead.