The stage is officially set in the Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers are ready to collide in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, beginning Wednesday, May 21. The Knicks will host Game 1 at Madison Square Garden after eliminating the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in a thrilling second-round series. This marks the Knicks' first trip to the East finals since the year 2000.
The Pacers, on the other hand, return to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season. After knocking out the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana is once again eyeing its first NBA Finals appearance since 2000—when they famously beat the Knicks to get there. Interestingly, the Knicks haven’t won the East since 1999, when they defeated... the Pacers.
Meanwhile, the Western Conference Finals still hang in the balance. The Minnesota Timberwolves have secured their spot and are now awaiting the winner of Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets, scheduled for Sunday.
With both conference finals around the corner and the NBA Finals set to begin June 5, here's a complete look at the 2025 playoff schedule and bracket.
2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule (All times Eastern)
Sunday, May 18
Game 7: Thunder vs. Nuggets – 3:30 PM, ABC/fubo
Tuesday, May 20
Game 1: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo
Wednesday, May 21
Game 1: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
Thursday, May 22
Game 2: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo
Friday, May 23
Game 2: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
Saturday, May 24
Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets – 8:30 PM, ABC/fubo
Sunday, May 25
Game 3: Pacers vs. Knicks – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
Monday, May 26
Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo
Tuesday, May 27
Game 4: Pacers vs. Knicks – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
Wednesday, May 28
\Game 5: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo
Thursday, May 29
\Game 5: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
Friday, May 30
\Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo
Saturday, May 31
\Game 6: Pacers vs. Knicks – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
Sunday, June 1
\Game 7: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:00 PM, ESPN/fubo
Monday, June 2
\Game 7: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max
\ = If necessary
Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
The Eastern side of the bracket is finalized, while the Western half awaits the result of the remaining Game 7. The full playoff field will soon be down to four.
Key Dates to Remember – 2025 NBA Playoffs
April 15–18: Play-In Tournament
April 19: First Round Begins
May 4: Start of Second Round
May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
May 20–21 (or May 18–19): Conference Finals Tip-Off
June 5: 2025 NBA Finals Begin