The 2025 NBA Playoffs roll into Tuesday, May 6, after two exciting Game 1 finishes on Monday night in Boston and Oklahoma City.
We preview Tuesday night’s doubleheader below after recapping Monday’s action.
But first, here’s the updated 2025 NBA Playoffs bracket.
Updated NBA Playoffs 2025 Bracket
It’s safe to say that many didn’t expect the New York Knicks and the Denver Nuggets both to win Game 1s in their respective first-round series, but that’s exactly what happened on Monday night.
Here’s the updated 2025 NBA playoff bracket with the Knicks and Nuggets both up 1-0 over, respectively, the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Monday, May 5 – Game Recaps
New York Knicks 108, Boston Celtics 105 (OT)
Knicks lead series 1–0
With the Knicks down 16 at the half, and Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns with three fouls apiece, this game looked already in the books. In fact, midway into the third, the Celtics expanded their lead to 20 and looked destined for a series sweep. After all, that’s what Boston did in the regular season series between the two teams. But Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks had a game plan of their own.
New York ended the third quarter with a 20-9 run, sparked by OG Anunoby, whose two key threes cut the deficit to 14, and fueled by defensive pressure and fastbreak points.
Strong perimeter defense by the Knicks neutralized Boston’s biggest weapon — the three-point shot — echoing the Orlando Magic’s defensive formula in their lone first-round win against the Celtics.
And in the end, it was the Knicks who were hitting their threes.
Early in the fourth quarter, threes from Deuce McBride and Anunoby brought the Knicks within one. And then Anunoby’s running dunk tied the game at 86 with just over seven minutes left — with Jalen Brunson on the bench.
Brunson, back on the floor, wasted no time, hit back-to-back threes with just around 4 minutes to go to give New York its first lead since the first quarter. He could have sealed the win for the Knicks in regulation, but missed an open floater with three seconds left.
Anunoby and Brunson both led the Knicks with 29 points apiece. But in contrast to the first round, this was a true team win. Strong defensive play from Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, stellar offensive rebounding by Josh Hart, and clutch shots from several Knicks players down the stretch all played critical roles in the win.
Boston was ice-cold from deep, going just 15 of 60 from three — missing a playoff-record 45 threes. The Knicks shot a sharp 45.9% from three.
New York struggled at the line, hitting only 54.8% of their free throws. But like the Knicks’ regular season failures against the Celtics, it didn’t matter.
Series Prediction: Celtics in six.
Next Game: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 7:00 PM Eastern, TD Arena, Boston, MA
Denver Nuggets 121, Oklahoma City Thunder 119
Nuggets lead series 1-0
The Nuggets stunned the top-seeded Thunder with a dramatic 121–119 victory in Game 1 of their second-round series. Aaron Gordon was once again the hero, hitting a game-winning three-pointer with just 2.8 seconds left — his second game-winning shot of this postseason.
The Thunder controlled much of the game, building a 14-point lead in the third quarter and holding an 11-point advantage midway through the fourth. But the Nuggets mounted a furious comeback, closing the game on a 19–6 run over the final 4 minutes and 30 seconds to erase the deficit.
Nikola Jokić was unstoppable, finishing with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Notably, Jokić also rallied the team during a second-quarter timeout when Denver trailed by double digits.
Russell Westbrook, returning to Oklahoma City for his postseason game in the city where his NBA career started, played a crucial role off the bench, including the assist on Gordon’s decisive three.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points, while Alex Caruso added 20. Despite nine days of rest, the Thunder looked sharp early but faltered late as Denver’s playoff-tested lineup took over.
Series Prediction: Thunder in six.
Next Game: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 9:30 PM Eastern, Paycom Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
Tuesday, May 6 – Game Previews
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Pacers lead series 1–0
The Pacers head into Cleveland looking to take a stunning 2–0 lead in this Eastern Conference semifinal. Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard were brilliant in Game 1, combining for 45 points and shredding Cleveland’s defense with pace and perimeter shooting.
Cleveland, meanwhile, will need Donovan Mitchell to bounce back from a cold night behind the arc after 1-11 shooting from three in Game 1. Evan Mobley will also need to assert himself inside. The big question remains whether Darius Garland will be available after missing Game 1 with a toe injury.
Series Prediction: Cavaliers even the series tonight and win it in six.
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
Western Conference Semifinals – Game 1
The Minnesota Timberwolves come in fresh after sending the Los Angeles Lakers home in five, while the Golden State Warriors are still riding high from their Game 7 victory over the Houston Rockets.
Anthony Edwards has elevated his play to another level in the playoffs, but the Timberwolves will need a full-team effort — including consistent scoring from Julius Randle — to keep pace with the Warriors.
Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield have given the Warriors a lethal one-two punch from deep, while Draymond Green’s defense can shut down the T-Wolves’ best scorers. But expect the younger, deeper Timberwolves to prevail tonight and take this series in six.
Series Prediction: Timberwolves in six.
Time: 9:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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