Results, Full Calendar, Chart, Play-In Keys
- The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is set to begin April 19.
- Here's a breakdown of the matchups and schedule as it currently stands.
- The NBA Playoffs consist of four rounds: the First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference finals, and the NBA Finals.
NBA Playoffs 2025: First Round Matchups and Schedule
The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is set to begin April 19. Here’s a look at the matchups and the schedule as it currently stands. Game times are Eastern Time and will be updated as they are confirmed. All series are best-of-seven, following a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
Eastern Conference First Round
(1) Cleveland cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner
series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena, Sunday, April 20, Time to be confirmed
- Game 2: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Cavaliers vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Cavaliers vs. TBD – TBD,Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena*,Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: Cavaliers vs. TBD – TBD*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner
series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Celtics vs. TBD – TD Garden, sunday, April 20, Time to be confirmed
- Game 2: Celtics vs. TBD – TD Garden, Time to be confirmed
- game 3: Celtics vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Celtics vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Celtics vs. TBD – TD Garden*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: Celtics vs. TBD – TBD*,Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Celtics vs. TBD – TD Garden*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden, Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m.
- Game 2: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden,Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: knicks vs. Pistons – Little Caesars Arena, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Knicks vs. Pistons – Little Caesars Arena, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden*, time to be confirmed
- Game 6: Knicks vs. Pistons – Little Caesars Arena*,Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m.
- Game 2: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Pacers vs. Bucks – Fiserv Forum, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Pacers vs. Bucks – Fiserv Forum, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: pacers vs. Bucks – fiserv Forum*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Pacers vs.Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*, Time to be confirmed
*if necessary
Western Conference First Round
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs.(8) play-In Winner
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Centre, Time to be confirmed
- Game 2: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Center, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Thunder vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Thunder vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Center*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: Thunder vs. TBD – TBD*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Center*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
NBA Playoffs 2025: Your Frist Round Playoff FAQs
The 2025 NBA Playoffs’ First round is heating up! Here’s a breakdown of the matchups and schedule as it currently
stands. Keep in mind that game times are listed in Eastern Time and are subject to change. Get ready for some
exciting basketball action!
Eastern Conference First Round
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena, Sunday, April 20, Time to be confirmed
- Game 2: Cavaliers vs.TBD – Rocket Arena, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Cavaliers vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Cavaliers vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: cavaliers vs. TBD – TBD*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Cavaliers vs. TBD – Rocket Arena*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Play-In winner
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Celtics vs. TBD – TD Garden, Sunday, April 20, Time to be confirmed
- game 2: Celtics vs.TBD – TD Garden, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Celtics vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Celtics vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Celtics vs. TBD – TD Garden*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: Celtics vs. TBD – TBD*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Celtics vs.TBD – TD Garden*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden, Saturday, April 19, 6 p.m.
- Game 2: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Knicks vs. Pistons – Little Caesars Arena, time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Knicks vs. Pistons – Little Caesars Arena, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: knicks vs. Pistons – Little Caesars Arena*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Knicks vs. Pistons – Madison Square Garden*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
(4) Indiana pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Saturday, April 19, 1 p.m.
- Game 2: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse,Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Pacers vs. Bucks – Fiserv forum, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Pacers vs. Bucks – Fiserv Forum, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: pacers vs. Bucks – Fiserv Forum*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks – Gainbridge Fieldhouse*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
Western Conference First Round
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) play-In Winner
Series tied 0-0
- Game 1: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Center, time to be confirmed
- Game 2: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Centre, Time to be confirmed
- Game 3: Thunder vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 4: Thunder vs. TBD – TBD, Time to be confirmed
- Game 5: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Center*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 6: Thunder vs. TBD – TBD*, Time to be confirmed
- Game 7: Thunder vs. TBD – Paycom Center*, Time to be confirmed
*If necessary
NBA Playoffs 2025: Your FAQs Answered
What is the NBA Playoff Format?
The NBA Playoffs consist of four rounds: the First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference finals, and the
NBA Finals. Each series is a best-of-seven format, meaning the first team to win four games advances to the
next round. Games alternate between home courts in a 2-2-1-1-1 format: the team with home-court advantage
hosts games 1, 2, 5, and 7. This format applies to all rounds of the playoffs.
How do the NBA Play-in games Work for the playoffs?
The NBA Play-In Tournament is a mini-tournament that determines the final two playoff spots in each
conference. Teams that finished 7th through 10th in the regular season standings qualify for the play-in.
The team that finishes in 7th place hosts the 8th place team. The winner of that game earns the 7th seed in
the playoffs. The loser of the 7 vs 8 game plays against the winner of the 9 vs 10 game. The winner of this
game earns the 8th seed in the playoffs.
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are starting on April 19, 2025. This is when the regular season winners and play-in
winners will start their playoff run. Specific game times will be announced closer to the start date.
Where can I find the NBA Playoff schedule?
The schedule is available on the NBA’s official website, ESPN, and other major sports news outlets. Check
above for the First Round games schedule, and keep an eye out for updates as game times are confirmed.
What is the 2-2-1-1-1 format for playoff series?
the 2-2-1-1-1 format is employed for each round of the playoffs to ensure home-court advantage is followed for
the higher-seeded team.In this format, the higher-seeded team hosts the first two games and then the lower
seeded team hosts the next two games. The series then alternates back and forth between the teams.
How Does Home Court Advantage work in The NBA Playoffs?
Home-court advantage in the NBA Playoffs is awarded to the team with the better regular-season record. This
means they host the first two games, as well as the potential fifth and seventh games of the series. The
team’s goal is to win the first two games at home court to gain the upper hand.
Which teams have home-court advantage in the First Round from the document?
Based on the provided details, the teams 1-4 in the Eastern Conference and the number 1 seed in the
Western Conference are set to have home-court advantage. Home-court can change once the play-in games
conclude.
Can you summarize the schedule?
Absolutely! Below is the First Round schedule, which will go into effect on April 19, the play-in game winners
are currently TBD.
| Conference | Matchup | Game 1 Date (Approximate) | Game 1 Time (ET) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Conference | (1) Cavaliers vs.(8) Play-In Winner | April 20 | TBD | Rocket Arena |
| Eastern Conference | (2) Celtics vs. (7) Play-In Winner | April 20 | TBD | TD Garden |
| Eastern Conference | (3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons | April 19 | 6 PM | Madison Square Garden |
| Eastern Conference | (4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks | April 19 | 1 PM | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Western Conference | (1) Thunder vs.(8) Play-In Winner | TBD | TBD | Paycom Center |
What happens if a series is tied?
If the series is tied after six games, a seventh game will be played to determine the winner. The team with
home-court advantage (the higher seed) hosts the seventh game.
when will the Conference Semifinals start?
The Conference Semifinals will start after the First Round concludes. The exact start date will depend which
day the first round ends. Keep checking for updates as the playoffs progress.