As the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs unfolds, insights from NBA insiders cover the developments in the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals.
In the Eastern Conference, the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers began by capturing home-court advantage from the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers with a 121-112 victory. Indiana secured another win in Game 2, prevailing 120-119 after Tyrese Haliburton sank a decisive three-pointer in the final second, leaving the Cavaliers trailing 0-2.
In the Western Conference, the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors defeated the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves 99-88 in Game 1, despite an injury sustained by Warriors star Stephen Curry during the game.
The third-seeded New York Knicks achieved a notable upset against the second-seeded Boston Celtics, winning Game 1 in an overtime thriller led by Jalen Brunson`s 29 points. They followed this with a surprising 91-90 comeback victory in Game 2, establishing a 2-0 series lead.
Also in the West, the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets overcame the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 following a strong fourth-quarter performance. However, the Thunder responded emphatically in Game 2 with a dominant 43-point win, tying the series at 1-1.
As teams continue their quest for the Larry O`Brien Trophy, here are the key observations and storylines to monitor in each of the four conference semifinal series:
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets
Series Tied 1-1
Game 2 Score: Thunder 149, Nuggets 106
What we learned in Game 2: After appearing like the league`s youngest team in Game 1, the Thunder delivered a stunning response in Game 2. The first half was explosive; just as the rest of the country tuned in after the Knicks` comeback, the Thunder quickly built a 24-point lead in the first quarter. By the second quarter, their lead extended to 39 points, and they set an NBA record for points in a first half with 87. MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was highly efficient, scoring 34 points on 11-of-13 shooting and dishing out eight assists, setting the tone for Oklahoma City`s dominant performance.
Upcoming Game: Thunder at Nuggets
What to watch in Upcoming Games: While the Nuggets certainly lost Game 2 on the court, there will be considerable discussion regarding the officiating of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Officials called two consecutive offensive fouls against him, resulting in him fouling out late in the third quarter. The Thunder made an effective adjustment in Game 2, assigning Jaylin Williams to guard Jokic instead of Chet Holmgren, after Jokic had significantly troubled the OKC frontline in Game 1. It will be intriguing to observe Denver`s strategic counter in the next game.
(7) Golden State Warriors vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Warriors Lead 1-0
Game 1 Score: Warriors 99, Timberwolves 88
What we learned: Game 1 felt like a significant missed chance for the Timberwolves. When Stephen Curry left the game in the second quarter with a left hamstring injury after scoring 13 points in 13 minutes, Minnesota had an opportunity to take control. Instead, the Warriors demonstrated they could win even without their star player. Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler III deserve credit for exceptional all-around performances, combining for 38 points, 19 rebounds, 14 assists, and 4 steals. However, Minnesota`s poor shooting contributed significantly to their loss. Following an unusually bad 3-point shooting performance in their previous game (7-for-47), this troubling trend continued in Game 1.
Minnesota started Game 1 missing their first 15 three-pointers in the first half, matching a playoff record for most missed 3s without a make in the past 25 seasons. This was their first playoff half without hitting a three since 2004 and their first half in any game without one since 2018. This cold spell was perplexing given the Wolves ranked fourth in 3-point percentage and fifth in total 3s made during the regular season. Anthony Edwards finished with 23 points but started 0-for-10. Julius Randle, who shot well previously, was inefficient at 4-for-11. Scoring only 88 points in an NBA game in 2025 is typically insufficient for a win.
Upcoming Game: Warriors at Timberwolves
What to watch: All attention will be on Curry`s left hamstring strain, as its severity could drastically alter the series. Curry was injured after attempting a floater early in the second quarter. Depending on the diagnosis, he is likely facing missed time; the question is how much. There is only a one-day break between Games 1 and 5, but an unusual three-day gap follows between Games 5 and 6. Curry has missed 12 playoff games in his career, most recently Game 1 of the 2018 Western Conference semifinals due to a knee injury against the Pelicans. The Warriors have gone 9-3 in those games, but those teams included Green and Klay Thompson in all contests and Kevin Durant in six.
Green has continued his strong play from Game 7 of the previous round, establishing a defensive presence and hitting four three-pointers in Game 1. The Warriors` offense will now heavily rely on Butler`s playmaking. Golden State needs Butler to step up and carry the scoring load without Curry. Jonathan Kuminga, who saw increased minutes after Curry`s injury, might feature more prominently as the team requires additional scoring. While Golden State`s defense was excellent, they cannot expect Anthony Edwards to start 0-for-10 from the field again.
Eastern Conference
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (1) Cleveland Cavaliers
Pacers Lead 2-0
Game 2 Score: Pacers 120, Cavaliers 119
What we learned: Tyrese Haliburton delivered once more. The Pacers trailed for most of the game before launching a fierce fourth-quarter comeback, outscoring Cleveland 36-21. The rally culminated in Haliburton hitting a step-back game-winning three-pointer to stun the home crowd and secure a commanding 2-0 series lead for Indiana. Cleveland had led by as much as 20 points, fueled by a superstar performance from Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 48 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds, joining LeBron James as the only Cavaliers with 45+ points and 5+ assists in a playoff game. However, his effort wasn`t enough for a top-seeded Cavs team missing three key rotation players. After dropping both home games, they face an urgent need for a response as they head to Indianapolis.
Upcoming Game: Cleveland at Pacers
What to watch: The short-handed Cavaliers travel to Indiana down 0-2, and their injury situation remains a major question mark for the remainder of the series. None of the three Cavaliers on the Game 2 injury report – Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De`Andre Hunter – participated in a workout before the game, and there`s concern about their availability going forward. Garland hasn`t played since April 23, and the coach has expressed hesitation about playing him at less than 100 percent given the series` fast pace. Mobley has been visibly limping since Game 1, and Hunter dislocated the thumb on his shooting hand in Game 1.
(3) New York Knicks vs. (2) Boston Celtics
Knicks Lead 2-0
Game 2 Score: Knicks 91, Celtics 90
What we learned: Game 1`s outcome was evidently not a fluke. Similar to the first game, the Celtics built a significant lead in the first half, extending it to 20 points in the third quarter. And like Game 1, the Knicks mounted a furious comeback while Boston`s offense went cold – this time enduring a nearly nine-minute stretch without a made basket in the fourth quarter. Crucially, just as in Game 1, Jalen Brunson and the resilient Knicks managed to hold on in the final moments, stunning the defending champions. The Celtics have now squandered back-to-back 20-point leads and find themselves down 2-0 heading to Madison Square Garden.
Upcoming Game: Celtics at Knicks
What to watch: Several factors are worth monitoring: Will the Celtics, who had an exceptionally strong road record this season, find more comfort shooting three-pointers in New York? After hitting a brutal 15-for-60 (25%) in Game 1, they shot an equally poor 10-for-40 (25%) in Game 2. Additionally, can Kristaps Porzingis extend his playing time? Most importantly, how will the experienced Celtics respond mentally after collapsing and blowing two monumental leads? Game 3 will provide answers.