The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs continues on Friday with another set of three game threes tonight.
Thursday’s triple-header brought major shifts in momentum — including the Oklahoma City Thunder pulling within one win of a sweep over the Memphis Grizzlies.
We break down Thursday’s results and preview tonight’s matchups, complete with predictions, below.
Updated NBA Playoffs 2025 Bracket
Here’s the current NBA Playoffs bracket after Thursday’s first-round Game 3s:
Thursday, April 24 – Game 3 Recaps
Knicks lead series 2–1
The New York Knicks secured a narrow 118–116 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series, taking a 2–1 series lead.
The Knicks’ performance on Thursday night was exactly the balanced effort the front office intended for this roster to perform. Karl-Anthony Towns rebounded for a scoreless second half in Game 2 to lead the Knicks last night with 31 points.
Jalen Brunson put up another monster effort with 30 points. And OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges scored 22 points and 20 points, respectively.
While Josh Hart’s scoring remained diminished, he made his presence felt in all other aspects of the game, grabbing 11 rebounds, and making 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 blocked shot.
The Knicks went into halftime with a 66–53 halftime lead. Detroit had a late rally, but not even a clock error that gave them an undeserved additional possession with 0.5 seconds to go was enough for them to bridge the deficit.
Sunday’s game is a must-win for Detroit.
Series Prediction: Detroit evens the series on Sunday and wins in 7.
Next Game: Sunday, April 27, 1:00 PM Eastern — Little Caesar’s Arena, Detroit, MI
Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108
Thunder lead series 3–0
The Grizzlies nearly had this one, leading the Thunder by as much as 29 points in the first half. But Ja Morant left the game with a hip injury after a hard fall, changing the course of the game.
The Thunder rallied back in the second half, taking their first lead with just 1:20 to go in the game. It was the game’s only lead change — and the last — as OKC beat Memphis 114–108 to take a 3–0 series lead. The Thunder’s comeback was the second-largest in NBA playoff history.
Series Prediction: OKC sweep.
Next Game: Saturday, April 26, 3:30 PM Eastern — FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Clippers 117, Nuggets 83
Clippers lead series 2–1
This series saw its first blowout after the first two games were decided by an average of 2.5 points. The LA Clippers totally dominated the Denver Nuggets with a 117–83 victory, taking a 2–1 series lead.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 21 points, while the team’s defense stifled the Nuggets throughout the game, limiting them to just 40.3% from the field and 26.9% from three.
Nikola Jokic had yet another triple-double with 23 points, 13 assists, and 13 rebounds. Jamal Murray also scored 23. But the rest of the Nuggets shot just 29% from the field and the team combined for 16 turnovers.
Series Prediction: Nuggets win in 7.
Next Game: Saturday, April 26, 6:00 PM Eastern — Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Friday, April 25 – Game 3 Preview
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
Celtics lead series 2–0
The Boston Celtics aim to extend their series lead against the Orlando Magic. After two home victories, the Celtics look to maintain momentum on the road. But with Jayson Tatum doubtful and Jrue Holiday listed as questionable, the Magic actually could win tonight if the Celtics are without both starters.
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: Magic win tonight at home if Holiday doesn’t play, but Celtics win series in 5.
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
Pacers lead series 2–0
The Indiana Pacers seek to take a commanding 3–0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, have dominated the Bucks, who finished the regular season with a mere 50% winning percentage on the road.
With the series now heading to Milwaukee for the next two games, the Bucks will bounce back with two wins, before Indiana wins the series at home.
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
TV: NBA TV
Streaming: NBA TV app, NBA League Pass, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: Bucks win tonight at home, but Pacers win the series in 6.
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves
Series tied 1–1
With the series tied, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves face off in a crucial Game 3. Both teams look to gain an edge in this closely contested matchup.
The Lakers found a way to shut down the T-Wolves from behind the arc in Game 2 after a lights-out 50% success rate from three in Game 1.
Luka Doncic has averaged 34 points in the first two games of this series, but the Lakers only put up an average of 94.5 points as a whole. It’s their defense that won Game 2 for them. And it will be vital for them for the rest of the series.
Time: 9:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: T-Wolves win tonight at home, but Lakers win the series in 7.
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