The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue on Saturday, May 10, with a twin bill, beginning with the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks in the mid-afternoon, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors in the evening.
Both are critical Game 3 matchups that could definitively change the course of their respective series.
But before we preview today’s games, here’s a recap of Friday’s action and the updated playoff bracket.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoffs Bracket
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers last night to cut their deficit in the series to a single game. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets shocked the Oklahoma City Thunder with another win, extending their lead to two games to one.
Here’s the updated 2025 NBA playoff bracket reflecting last night’s results:
Friday, May 9 – Game Recaps
Cleveland Cavaliers 126, Indiana Pacers 104
Pacers lead series 2–1
It wasn’t a pretty win, but the Cavaliers led wire to wire and kept the intensity till the very end to prevent a repeat of their Game 2 collapse. Cleveland defeated Indiana by 22 points, thanks to a tight zone defense that limited Tyrese Haliburton to just four points and five assists.
Perhaps the most decisive factor was Cleveland’s dominance on the boards. The Cavaliers shot just 42% from the field and under 30% from three, but they finished with 20 more field goal attempts than the Pacers.
And here’s why: Cleveland pulled down 56 total rebounds, powered by the return of big man Evan Mobley, who tallied 13 boards, including five on the offensive glass. Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen each added five and four offensive rebounds, respectively, helping generate 31 second-chance points for Cleveland.
Mitchell had another stellar night, scoring 43 points on a somewhat inefficient 14-of-29 shooting, but his production was key.
With their full starting lineup back on the court, the Cavaliers have shifted the momentum of the series back in their favor.
Series Prediction: Cavaliers in 7.
Next Game: Sunday, May 11, 8:00 PM Eastern — Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Denver Nuggets 113, Oklahoma City Thunder 104 (OT)
Nuggets lead series 2–1
The Nuggets avoided a repeat of their Game 2 collapse, defeating the Thunder by nine points in overtime. In fact, Game 3 looked much more like Game 1, with Denver rallying back from a double-digit deficit to win in extra time.
Aaron Gordon once again hit the final basket, though this time, it wasn’t a game-winner, as the Nuggets were already up by seven with under two minutes to play.
The Thunder struggled offensively, shooting just 38.5% from the field and 25.7% from three. Denver, by contrast, shot 45.9% overall and an impressive 40% from behind the arc.
Michael Porter Jr. and Gordon led the charge from deep, with Porter hitting 5 of 6 from three and Gordon knocking down 4 of 6. Nikola Jokic scored only 20 points and had a rough night from long range, missing all 10 of his three-point attempts.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 32 points, but the real story was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s off night. He finished with just 18 points on 7-of-22 shooting from the field, a rare off game for the Thunder’s leader, who — like Jokic — is proving that he’s human. The Thunder too are proving that they’re beatable.
Series Prediction: Thunder in seven.
Next Game: Sunday, May 11, 3:30 PM Eastern — Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Saturday, May 10 – Game Previews
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
Knicks lead series 2–0
The Knicks have taken a seemingly impossible half toward a seemingly impossible 2-0 series lead over the Celtics, coming back from 20 point deficits in back-to-back games in Boston.
Now, the Knicks look to extend their series lead to 3–0 against the Celtics at Madison Square Garden. The question is, will we see the same formula from the previous two games, with largely dominating the first three quarters and then New York racing back in the final stretch?
Expect a more balanced four quarters of basketball, with Boston looking to reduce its dependence on the three and New York maintaining a tight defensive posture from the very beginning, led by OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Mitchell Robinson.
Kristaps Porziņģis could be the difference maker in today’s game — if he’s healthy. He’s available to play, but that doesn’t mean he’s quite ready to deliver now. The Knicks have performed better on the road these playoffs, but expect them to win today before a raucous crowd at the Garden and extend their series lead to 3-0, though a proud Celtics team will take Game 4 on Monday.
Series Prediction: Knicks in 5.
Time: 3:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
Series tied 1–1
The series now moves to San Francisco, where the Warriors hope that home-court advantage can help salvage their playoff run. But their biggest weapon — Stephen Curry — won’t be on the court tonight and may not return until Wednesday at the earliest. That means Golden State will be without its top scorer and team leader for at least two critical games.
The Warriors have already lost home games to the Houston Rockets this postseason, so a change of scenery may do little to compensate for their reduced firepower.
Jonathan Kuminga was a standout performer for Golden State in Game 2, and the Warriors will need another big night from him. But the real pressure is on Jimmy Butler, who had a quiet Game 2 and will ultimately have to shoulder the burden if the Warriors want to avoid both humiliation and elimination.
This series is likely to shift decisively in the Timberwolves’ favor if Curry doesn’t return soon.
Expect Minnesota to come out on top today, with Anthony Edwards bouncing back, and again on Monday, securing a 3–1 edge in the series.
While Curry’s eventual return could inject life back into Golden State, it still probably won’t be enough.
The Timberwolves are well-positioned to win the series — likely in seven games if Curry returns, and in just five if he doesn’t.
Series Prediction: Timberwolves in seven.
Time: 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites
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