2025 NBA playoff bracket: First-round matchups, schedule, game times as Pacers, Celtics and Cavaliers advance

The field for the second round is beginning to take shape in the 2025 NBA playoffs. Twelve teams remain in the playoff bracket, and four teams — the Thunder, Cavaliers, Pacers and Celtics — have already moved on. The Pacers and Celtics became the latest teams to advance on Tuesday night, ousting the Bucks and Magic, respectively, in Game 5s. The Thunder and Cavs, the top seeds in the West and East, both swept their first-round competition.

One more second-round spot could be clinched on Wednesday. The Timberwolves are up 3-1 in their series against the Lakers with Game 5 on Wednesday night.

We will have at least three Game 6s in the first round. Knicks-Pistons, Nuggets-Clippers and Rockets-Warriors are all 3-2 after five games, with New York, Denver and Golden State one game from advancing. 

The playoff field will be whittled down to eight teams by the end of the weekend, and the second round will begin on or before Monday, May 5.

As the NBA playoffs continue, here is a look at the full bracket, along with results and upcoming schedule. Our experts were in alignment about every first-round series, but, as we learn every year, anything can happen in the playoffs.

2025 NBA playoff bracket

2025 NBA playoffs: First-round schedule, scores

All times Eastern

Saturday, April 19
Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95

Sunday, April 20
Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
Game 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86
Game 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100
Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85

Monday, April 21
Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
Game 2: Clippers 105, Nuggets 102

Tuesday, April 22
Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 115
Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99
Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85

Wednesday, April 23
Game 2: Celtics 109, Magic 100
Game 2: Cavaliers 121, Heat, 112
Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94

Thursday, April 24
Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108
Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83

Friday, April 25
Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93
Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101
Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104

Saturday, April 26
Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87
Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115 (Oklahoma City wins 4-0)
Game 4: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99
Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93

Sunday, April 27
Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93
Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113
Game 4: Celtics 107, Magic 98
Game 4: Pacers 129, Bucks 103 

Monday, April 28
Game 4: Cavaliers 138, Heat 83 (Cleveland wins 4-0)
Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106 

Tuesday, April 29
Game 5: Pacers 119, Bucks 118 (Indiana wins 4-1)
Game 5: Pistons 106, Knicks 103 
Game 5: Celtics 120, Magic 89 (Boston wins 4-1)
Game 5: Nuggets 131, Clippers 115

Wednesday, April 30
Game 5: Rockets 131, Warriors 116 (Golden State leads 3-2)
Game 5: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, 10 p.m., TNT/Max (Minnesota leads 3-1)

Thursday, May 1
Game 6: Pistons vs. Knicks, 7:30 p.m., TNT/Max (New York leads 3-2)
Game 6: Clippers vs. Nuggets, 10 p.m., TNT/Max (Denver leads 3-2)

Friday, May 2
Game 6: Warriors vs. Rockets, Time/TV TBD
*Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Lakers, Time/TV TBD

Saturday, May 3
*Game 7: Knicks vs. Pistons, Time/TV TBD
*Game 7: Nuggets vs. Clippers, Time/TV TBD

Sunday, May 4
*Game 7: Rockets vs. Warriors, Time/TV TBD
*Game 7: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, Time/TV TBD

2025 NBA Play-In Tournament schedule, scores

All times Eastern

Tuesday, April 15
Magic 120, Hawks 95
Warriors 121, Grizzlies 116

Wednesday, April 16
Heat 109, Bulls 90
Mavericks 120, Kings 106

Friday, April 18
Heat 123, Hawks 114 (OT)
Grizzlies 120, Mavericks 106

2025 NBA playoffs: Key dates

• April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
• April 19: Playoffs begin
• May 5-6 (or May 3-4): Second round begins
• May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
• May 20-21 (or May 18-19): Conference finals begin
• June 5: NBA Finals begin