The second spherical of the 2025 NBA playoffs is right here, and our NBA insiders have you ever coated for each recreation of the Japanese and Western convention semifinals.
The No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers kicked off the East semis by taking a 2-0 lead over the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, who bounced again in Sport 3 on Friday evening behind Donovan Mitchell‘s 43-point efficiency.
The third-seeded New York Knicks, after beating the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in two excellent comeback wins, are main the collection 2-0 and may have home-court benefit for the following two video games.
Within the West, the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets, after a lopsided loss towards the No. 1 seed Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, got here again at dwelling in an extra time victory in Sport 3.
Plus, the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors, after dropping Stephen Curry to a hamstring damage in a Sport 1 win and dropping Sport 2, should dig deep as they tackle the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday to see who takes the collection lead.
As groups proceed to chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy, right here’s what issues most in each conferences and what to observe for in all 4 collection.
Soar to a collection:
Cavaliers-Pacers | Knicks-Celtics
Thunder-Nuggets | Warriors-Timberwolves
Extra protection:
Schedules and outcomes | Offseason guides
Japanese Convention
Sport 3: Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104
What we discovered: The Cavs have lastly arrived. Donovan Mitchell put up one other masterful efficiency, scoring 43 factors with 9 rebounds and 5 assists, and the Cavs had a wholesome rotation for the primary time all collection en path to rolling the Pacers in an announcement victory. Mitchell turned the primary participant in Cavs playoff historical past with 90 factors in a two-game span, following his 48-point efficiency in Sport 2. And the Cavs obtained a significant increase from having their common rotation again collectively — Darius Garland (10 factors and three assists) made his debut within the collection; Evan Mobley crammed up the stat sheet in his return (18 factors, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and three steals); and De’Andre Hunter gave good minutes as a reserve (eight factors, 5 rebounds). However it was additionally the zone protection within the second quarter that stifled the Pacers’ offense and allowed Cleveland to outscore Indiana 34-13, taking a 20-point lead it held onto this time.
1:59
Donovan Mitchell drops 43 factors to steer Cavs to Sport 3 win
Donovan Mitchell cooks the Pacers for 43 factors to steer the Cavaliers to their first win within the collection.
Sport 4: Cavaliers at Pacers (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, TNT)
What to observe: Regardless of Indiana successful the primary two video games of the collection, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle emphasised earlier than Sport 3 that they anticipated to see the Cavs squad that received 64 video games through the common season reply. Cleveland did so in a giant approach. The Pacers may have a possibility in Sport 4 to place Cleveland getting ready to elimination, however they’ve been outplayed by the Cavs for many of the previous two video games, regardless of a flurry within the fourth quarter to win Sport 2. Cleveland has had success limiting Tyrese Haliburton‘s affect on the sport, holding him to 4 factors on 2-of-8 taking pictures with 5 assists in Sport 3. — Jamal Collier
Sport 2: Knicks 91, Celtics 90
What we discovered: Sport 1 apparently wasn’t a fluke. Like Sport 1, the Celtics pulled forward within the first half, and constructed a 20-point benefit within the third quarter. Like Sport 1, the Knicks got here roaring again whereas Boston’s offense went ice chilly — this time for an almost nine-minute span with out a basket within the fourth quarter. And like Sport 1, Jalen Brunson and the cardiac Knicks have been capable of maintain on late and stun the defending champions, who’ve now blown back-to-back 20-point leads and discover themselves down 2-0 heading to Madison Sq. Backyard over the weekend.
1:09
Knicks take Sport 2 behind one other clutch Bridges steal
Mikal Bridges steals the ball from Jayson Tatum within the closing seconds to provide the Knicks one other dramatic victory over the Celtics.
Sport 3: Celtics at Knicks (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
What to observe: Just a few issues: Are the Celtics, who’ve been traditionally good on the highway this season, any extra snug taking pictures from 3 in New York? After hitting simply 15-for-60 in Sport 1, they hit the identical brutal 25% on Wednesday, going 10-for-40 in Sport 2. Additionally, is Kristaps Porzingis capable of lengthen his minutes? And, greater than something, are the battle-tested Celtics in a good headspace after blowing a pair of monumental leads? We’ll discover out in Sport 3. — Chris Herring
Western Convention
Sport 3: Nuggets 113, Thunder 104 (OT)
What we discovered: For the second consecutive recreation, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic regarded mortal towards Oklahoma Metropolis’s bodily, smothering protection. On this event, it didn’t matter, as Denver pulled out an extra time win to regain the collection lead. Jokic completed with 20 factors on 8-of-25 taking pictures, with extra turnovers (8, tying a profession playoff excessive) than assists (5). However his driving layup on the opening possession of extra time gave the Nuggets the lead for good. The opposite Denver starters remaining from the Nuggets’ 2023 title run all rose to the event. Jamal Murray scored 27 factors, Aaron Gordon 22 and Michael Porter Jr. 21.
0:57
Nuggets rally in OT to assert 2-1 collection lead
The Nuggets outscore the Thunder 11-2 in extra time to assert a 2-1 collection lead.
Sport 4: Thunder at Nuggets (Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
What to observe: How will MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reply after his poor efficiency in pivotal Sport 3? He was held to 18 factors on 7-of-22 taking pictures, repeatedly settling for tightly contested jumpers when he couldn’t slither into the paint. Gilgeous-Alexander scored solely three factors within the fourth quarter and extra time, lacking seven of his eight photographs from the ground. — Tim MacMahon
Sport 2: Timberwolves 117, Warriors 93
What we discovered: Minnesota got here out with the mandatory drive to even this collection, beginning Sport 2 with a 13-0 run with Julius Randle setting the tone with two assists and 5 factors throughout that surge. With Stephen Curry on the sideline with a strained left hamstring, Golden State fell behind 25-7. The Warriors’ offense went by means of Jimmy Butler, however there wasn’t sufficient offense from him as he took solely 13 photographs. Buddy Hield, now going through higher defenders with Curry out, was held in examine for a lot of the sport earlier than ending with 15 factors. Brandin Podziemski contributed 11 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists however will most likely have to attain 20 or extra with Curry out for Golden State to have an opportunity to win. And after hitting 4 3-pointers in Sport 1, Draymond Inexperienced went 1-for-6 from behind the arc. Steve Kerr — who performed 14 gamers within the first half, most by a group since 1998 — discovered a spark in Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Kuminga hit his first seven photographs earlier than ending with 18 factors, and Jackson-Davis had 15 factors whereas making all six of his makes an attempt. However they couldn’t overcome the Wolves, particularly with Anthony Edwards returning for the second half after he injured his left ankle. Edwards had 20 factors and 9 rebounds whereas Randle added 24 factors, 11 assists and 7 rebounds. Jaden McDaniels additionally performed nicely with 16 factors on 7-for-10 taking pictures. Golden State obtained inside seven within the third quarter however couldn’t get any nearer. The Warriors will head again to San Francisco nonetheless trying to discover the place the offense will come from with out Curry. — Ohm Youngmisuk
1:17
Stephen A: Jimmy Butler’s job is to get Warriors a win with out Steph
Stephen A. Smith says Jimmy Butler should elevate his recreation and steal a win with Steph Curry sidelined.
Sport 3: Wolves at Warriors (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
What to observe: After being held beneath 100 in its Sport 1 win, Golden State continued struggling to attain with out Curry in Sport 2. Golden State’s 39 factors within the first half have been the fewest it has scored out of its 9 playoff video games, and it completed with simply 93. With out the shock contributions from Kuminga (18 factors on 8-for-11 taking pictures) and Jackson-Davis (15 factors on 6-for-6 taking pictures), the Warriors’ offense would have been completely inept. The Warriors struggled from 3, going 9-for-32 (28.1%), and Butler, Hield and Inexperienced mixed to attain simply 41 factors after combining for 62 in Sport 1. They might want to generate extra factors to remain on this collection. — Dave McMenamin
