The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue on Friday, May 23, with Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden, aiming to even the series before it shifts to Indianapolis.
Before previewing tonight’s Game 2, here’s a recap of Thursday’s action and an updated look at the playoff bracket.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
The Oklahoma City Thunder are once again playing like a dominant one-seed, securing a commanding 2–0 series lead in the Western Conference Finals with a 118–103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
The series now moves to Minneapolis for Game 3.
Thursday, May 22 – Game 2 Recap
Oklahoma City Thunder 118, Minnesota Timberwolves 103
Thunder lead 2–0 in the Western Conference Finals
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrated his MVP award with a commanding performance, scoring 38 points and leading the Thunder to a 118–103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder’s defense was stifling, forcing 14 turnovers — including four by Julius Randle — and limiting Minnesota to just 41.4% shooting. Oklahoma City outscored the Timberwolves 35–21 in the third quarter to break the game open.
Jalen Williams added 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Chet Holmgren chipped in 22. The Thunder showed off their depth and poise, keeping their foot on the gas and controlling the pace on both ends.
Oklahoma City shot only 27.3% from three, but it didn’t matter. They were 50% from the field overall, scoring roughly half of their points in the paint, including 14 by Gilgious-Alexander, who shot just two three-point attempts.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 32 points, but outside of him, the Timberwolves struggled to generate consistent offense. Randle, a catalyst to Minnesota’s late-season and playoff surge, was a non-factor on Thursday night, scoring just six points on 2-of-11 from the field. He did not play in the fourth quarter.
The series heads to Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves must respond to avoid a 3–0 deficit. The Timberwolves will take one of those games at home, before falling to the Thunder.
Series Prediction: Thunder in five.
Next Game: Saturday, May 24, 8:30 PM Eastern — Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Friday, May 23 – Game 2 Preview
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
Pacers lead 1–0 in the Eastern Conference Finals
The Knicks aim to rebound from a heartbreaking Game 1 loss as they host the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
In Game 1, the Knicks led by as many as 17 points in the fourth quarter but were unable to close out the game. The downfall of the Knicks was yet again rapid-fire three-point shooting by the opposing team.
Aaron Nesmith’s late barrage of three-pointers and Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beater forced overtime, where the Pacers secured a 138–135 victory.
Jalen Brunson scored 43 points, but faltered in the most decisive minutes of the game. Karl-Anthony Towns added 35 points and 12 rebounds for New York, but his defense was a liability from the start.
In Game 1, the Knicks beat the Pacers at their fast-paced game — until they didn’t. And that’s precisely the problem with playing to Indiana’s strengths, simply trading baskets for baskets. In those final minutes, the Knicks needed stops. Instead, their offensive play became more sloppy, creating the opportunity for the Pacers to come back rapidly with a string of threes.
The Knicks’ defense will have to step up. That may mean Mitchell Robinson gets more minutes, particularly late in the game. He’s a difference maker in more ways than one. For a big man, he has an amazing ability to rotate across the court on defense. He’s also arguably the best offensive rebounder in the game. That combination — of stops on the defensive end and second-chance points on the offensive end — is key to closing out wins.
Now, despite Wednesday’s loss, the Knicks are the better team. Expect them to win tonight and take this series in six.
Game Prediction: Knicks win by 5.
Series Prediction: Knicks in six.
Time: 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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