The 2025 NBA Playoffs officially began on April 19 with four exciting Game 1 matchups marking the start of the postseason. The action kicked off with an ESPN tripleheader featuring the Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers (1 p.m. ET), Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets (3:30 p.m. ET), and Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks (6 p.m. ET), followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers in primetime on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Bucks-Pacers series is a rematch of last year’s first-round clash and highlights a growing rivalry. The Pacers enter as the fourth seed with a 50-32 record, having finished strong with an 8-2 run in their last ten games. The Bucks, seeded fifth in the East with a 48-34 record, come in on an eight-game winning streak but face a significant setback as star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Game 1, raising questions about Milwaukee’s defensive capabilities against Indiana’s offense.
The Clippers and Nuggets, both finishing the regular season with identical 50-32 records, face off in a highly anticipated Western Conference battle. Denver holds home-court advantage as the fourth seed and boasts a healthy roster with star Nikola Jokic fully fit and ready to play. The Clippers, coming off an overtime win against the Golden State Warriors, will rely on key players like Norman Powell and James Harden to challenge the defending champions.
Detroit makes its first playoff appearance since 2019, facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons have been one of the season’s biggest surprises, tripling their win total from the previous year, led by All-Star Cade Cunningham’s breakout campaign. The Knicks, meanwhile, seek to defend their home court and advance.
The Wolves-Lakers matchup features the Lakers hosting Minnesota in a marquee primetime contest. The Lakers have recently added Luka Dončić, whose rise is being documented in the NBA’s “Pass The Rock” series, adding intrigue to this series.
The playoffs follow the Play-In Tournament, where the Miami Heat made history as the first 10-seed to advance, and the Memphis Grizzlies secured their spot without trailing in their final game.
Fans can catch all the playoff action live on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV, with the series set to continue through early May and culminating in the NBA Finals starting June 5. The 2025 postseason promises intense competition as teams chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
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