Play-In Table & Calendar: First Round Posters Revealed
- The 2024-25 NBA regular season concluded Sunday, April 13, solidifying the teams advancing to the Play-In Tournament and the first round of the Playoffs.
- The Play-In Tournament, which determines the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference, tips off Tuesday, April 15.The Playoffs are scheduled to begin April 19.
- The Eastern Conference play-in picture was set before the final day of the regular season.
NBA Playoff Picture Set: Play-In Tournament and First Round Matchups
Table of Contents
- NBA Playoff Picture Set: Play-In Tournament and First Round Matchups
- NBA Playoff Picture Set: Your 2025 Playoff Guide
- What’s New in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
- What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
- When Does the 2025 Play-In Tournament Start?
- Who’s Playing in the 2025 NBA play-In Tournament?
- How Does the Play-In tournament Work?
- When Do the 2025 NBA playoffs Begin?
- What Are the First-Round Matchups for the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
- Who Has Home-Court Advantage in the First Round?
- What Teams Are Considered Favorites to win the Championship?
- How Can I Watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
- Where Can I Find Updated NBA Playoff Scores and Schedules?
- What Makes the NBA Playoffs So Exciting?
- What Happens After the First Round?
- How Can I Stay Updated on the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
The 2024-25 NBA regular season concluded Sunday, April 13, solidifying the teams advancing to the Play-In Tournament and the first round of the Playoffs.
The Play-In Tournament, which determines the seventh and eighth seeds in each conference, tips off Tuesday, April 15.The Playoffs are scheduled to begin April 19.
Eastern Conference
Play-In Tournament
The Eastern Conference play-in picture was set before the final day of the regular season.
The Orlando Magic (No. 7 seed) will face the Atlanta Hawks (No. 8 seed) in the first game. The winner secures the seventh seed, while the loser will compete against the winner of the game between the Chicago Bulls (No. 9 seed) and the Miami Heat (No. 10 seed) for the final playoff berth.
- No.7 Orlando Magic vs. No. 8 Atlanta Hawks – 1:30 a.m.EDT, Wednesday, April 16
- No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Miami Heat – 1:30 a.m. EDT, Thursday, April 17
- Loser of Magic/Hawks vs. Winner of Bulls/Heat – Date and time to be steadfast, april 18
First Round
The Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1 seed) and the Boston Celtics (No. 2 seed) await the results of the Play-In Tournament to determine their first-round opponents. The new York Knicks (No. 3 seed), Indiana Pacers (no. 4 seed), Milwaukee Bucks (No. 5 seed), and Detroit Pistons (No. 6 seed) have secured their places in the first round. The Eastern Conference first-round matchups are:
- No.1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Winner of Magic/Hawks
- no. 2 Boston Celtics vs. Winner of Play-In Game 3
- No. 3 New York Knicks vs. no. 6 Detroit Pistons – Midnight EDT, Sunday, April 20
- No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks – 7 p.m. EDT, Saturday, April 19
Western Conference
Play-In Tournament
The Golden State Warriors (No. 7 seed) missed direct qualification after losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. They will host the Memphis Grizzlies (No. 8 seed) in the first play-in game. The winner advances to the playoffs, while the loser will face the winner of the game between the Dallas Mavericks (No. 9 seed) and the Sacramento Kings (No. 10 seed).
- No. 7 Golden State Warriors vs.No. 8 Memphis grizzlies – 4 a.m.EDT, Wednesday, April 16
- No. 9 Dallas Mavericks vs. no. 10 Sacramento Kings – 4 a.m. EDT, Thursday, April 17
- Loser of Warriors/Grizzlies vs. Winner of Mavericks/Kings – Date and time to be determined, April 18
First Round
The Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1 seed), Houston Rockets (No. 2 seed), and Los Angeles Lakers (No. 3 seed) had already clinched their playoff berths before the final day of the regular season. The Denver Nuggets (No. 4 seed),Los Angeles Clippers (No. 5 seed), and Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 6 seed) also secured direct qualification.
The higher-seeded teams will have home-court advantage in their respective series. The Western Conference first-round matchups are:
- No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Winner of Warriors/Grizzlies
- No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. Winner of Play-In Game 3
- No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves – 2:30 a.m. EDT,Sunday,April 20
- No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Los Angeles clippers – 7 p.m. EDT, Saturday, April 19
NBA Playoff Picture Set: Your 2025 Playoff Guide
The 2024-25 NBA regular season has wrapped up, and the stage is set for the exciting Play-In Tournament and the highly anticipated first round of the playoffs. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown, ensuring you won’t miss a moment of the action.
What’s New in the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
The biggest change continuing from recent seasons is the inclusion of the Play-In Tournament. This adds extra drama and competition, giving more teams a shot at the playoffs.
What is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
The Play-In Tournament is a mini-tournament held before the official playoffs. It involves teams that finished in the 7th through 10th seeds in each conference. It determines the final two playoff spots in each conference.
When Does the 2025 Play-In Tournament Start?
The 2025 Play-In Tournament is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, April 15th.
Who’s Playing in the 2025 NBA play-In Tournament?
Here’s a breakdown of the teams involved in the play-in tournament for each conference:
Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament
- No.7 Orlando Magic vs. no. 8 Atlanta Hawks – Wednesday, April 16, 1:30 a.m. EDT
- No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. no. 10 Miami Heat – Thursday, April 17, 1:30 a.m. EDT
- Loser of Magic/Hawks vs. Winner of bulls/Heat – Friday, April 18 (Time TBD)
Western Conference Play-In Tournament
- No.7 Golden State Warriors vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies – Wednesday, April 16, 4 a.m. EDT
- No. 9 Dallas Mavericks vs. No. 10 Sacramento Kings – Thursday, April 17, 4 a.m. EDT
- Loser of Warriors/Grizzlies vs. Winner of Mavericks/Kings – Friday, April 18 (Time TBD)
How Does the Play-In tournament Work?
Here’s how the play-in tournament plays out:
- 7 vs. 8: The winner of the 7 vs.8 game earns the 7th seed in the playoffs.
- 9 vs. 10: The loser of the 7 vs. 8 game plays the winner of the 9 vs. 10 game.
- Winner of 9/10 vs. Loser of 7/8: the winner of this game earns the 8th seed in the playoffs, facing the top seed in their conference.
When Do the 2025 NBA playoffs Begin?
The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is scheduled to begin on April 19th.
What Are the First-Round Matchups for the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
here’s a look at the confirmed matchups for the first round of the 2025 playoffs, including the teams that have secured their spots and await their opponents from the play-in tournament:
Eastern Conference First Round
- no. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Winner of Magic/Hawks
- No. 2 Boston Celtics vs.Winner of Play-In Game 3
- No. 3 New York Knicks vs.No. 6 detroit Pistons – Sunday, April 20, Midnight EDT
- No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks – Saturday, April 19, 7 p.m. EDT
Western Conference First Round
- No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Winner of Warriors/Grizzlies
- No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. Winner of Play-In Game 3
- No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers vs.No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves – Sunday,april 20,2:30 a.m. EDT
- No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers – Saturday, April 19, 7 p.m. EDT
Who Has Home-Court Advantage in the First Round?
The higher-seeded team in each series will have home-court advantage, meaning they will host the first two games of the series, along with games if the series goes to a fifth or seventh game.
What Teams Are Considered Favorites to win the Championship?
It’s early to definitively say, but teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets are likely to be considered strong contenders, based on their regular season performance. As the playoffs progress, the favorites will become more clear.
How Can I Watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
Games will be broadcast on major sports networks like ESPN, TNT, and ABC.check your local listings for specific game times and channels. Streaming services offering live sports may also carry the games.
Where Can I Find Updated NBA Playoff Scores and Schedules?
Check official NBA websites, reputable sports news outlets (e.g., ESPN, Bleacher Report, etc.), and sports apps for the most up-to-date scores, schedules, and game results.
What Makes the NBA Playoffs So Exciting?
The NBA Playoffs are renowned for their intense competition, high stakes, and dramatic moments. Every possession matters, and the best teams battle it out for the ultimate prize: the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
What Happens After the First Round?
After the first round, the remaining teams compete in the conference semifinals, conference finals, and the NBA finals. Each series is a best-of-seven format.
How Can I Stay Updated on the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
Follow reliable sports news sources, check the official NBA website, and subscribe to sports newsletters for the latest data, analysis, and highlights throughout the playoffs. Set up notifications to get game alerts during the playoffs.
Enjoy the playoffs – it promises to be an exciting season!