The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs continues on Saturday with a packed day filled with four games — including one series that could come to an end.
Today’s action follows a Friday night filled with surprises as all three lower seeds came out on top.
We’ll break down Friday’s results and preview tonight’s matchups, complete with predictions, below.
Updated NBA Playoffs 2025 Bracket
Here’s the current NBA Playoffs bracket after Friday’s first-round Game 3s:
Friday, April 25 – Game 3 Recaps
Orlando Magic 95, Boston Celtics 93
Celtics lead series 2–1
The Orlando Magic edged out the Boston Celtics, 95–93, in a tight Game 3 battle. Jayson Tatum, who had been listed as doubtful with a bruised wrist, finished with 36 points on 10-of-22 shooting.
But it wasn’t enough, as the Magic’s dynamic duo, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, powered their comeback with 32 and 29 points, respectively.
The Celtics led by 10 at halftime, but the Magic clawed back in the third quarter and took control. Boston mounted a late rally, yet turnovers (19 total) and cold shooting — including a 2-for-8 performance from Derrick White beyond the arc — proved costly.
The young Magic squad is unlikely to come out on top this series, but they’ve shown grit and resilience and have two budding superstars. For Orlando, this is just the beginning.
Series Prediction: Celtics win series in five games.
Next Game: Sunday, April 27, 7:00 PM Eastern — Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Milwaukee Bucks 117, Indiana Pacers 101
Pacers lead series 2–1
The Milwaukee Bucks saved themselves from embarrassment on Friday night, coming back from a 10-point deficit at the half to swing the game in the opposite direction, leading by as much as 22 in the 4th.
Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered another stellar playoff performance, scoring 37 points on 74% shooting. This time, he had help: Gary Trent Jr. matched his 37 points, tying a franchise playoff record with nine made three-pointers in a red-hot shooting display.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 28 points, while Tyrese Haliburton had a quieter night, finishing with just 14. The Bucks trimmed Indiana’s series lead to 2–1.
Series Prediction: Bucks win again on Sunday at home, but Pacers clinch the series in 6.
Next Game: Sunday, April 27, 9:30 PM Eastern — Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Minnesota Timberwolves 116, Los Angeles Lakers 104
Timberwolves lead series 2–1
The Minnesota Timberwolves took a 2–1 series lead with a 116–104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3.
Minnesota clicked on all cylinders. Jaden McDaniels scored a career playoff-high 30 points, while Anthony Edwards added 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Julius Randle chipped in 22 points.
As for the Lakers, LeBron James led the way with 38 points, but the team was set back by a diminished Luka Doncic. Battling a stomach illness, Doncic managed just 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
Turnovers haunted the Lakers, who gave the ball away 16 times. Los Angeles shot 42.5% from three, better than Minnesota’s 36.1% — but the Timberwolves dominated inside, outscoring the Lakers 56–26 in the paint.
Free throws also hurt L.A., with the Lakers hitting just 65% from the line.
Series Prediction: The Lakers will bounce back on Sunday, but the series will go to 7, with L.A. prevailing.
Next Game: Sunday, April 27, 3:30 PM Eastern — Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Saturday, April 26 – Game 3 & 4 Previews
Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat
Cavaliers lead series 2–0
The Miami Heat look to get their first win against the Cleveland Cavaliers as the series heads home. But the odds are stacked against them. Tyler Herro has been stellar for Miami, averaging 27 points off 50% shooting from the field in the first two games of this series.
But the Heat simply don’t have enough firepower to match a Cavaliers squad led by Donovan Mitchell and supported by Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
Cleveland is shooting nearly 46% from three in this series and 87% on free throws. Miami will need to step up its perimeter defense to stand a chance against Mitchell & Co.
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: The Cavaliers will close this series out in 4.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies
Thunder lead series 3–0
The Oklahoma City Thunder look to complete a series sweep against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4.
The Grizzlies actually led for most of Game 3 — their first in this series at home. But Ja Morant‘s exit from the game due to a hip injury set the stage for an OKC comeback. He’ll be out in this game too — and once this one is wrapped up, the series will be as well.
Time: 3:30 PM Eastern
Venue: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: Thunder sweep.
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers lead series 2–1
The LA Clippers host the Denver Nuggets in Game 4, looking to extend their series lead. Game 3 was an unexpected blowout win for the Clippers, especially after the first two games were decided by a margin of just 2.5 points.
The Clippers have been led by a rejuvenated Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in the series.
With both Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) and Russell Westbrook (foot) listed as questionable for today’s game, the Nuggets face another potential blowout, even if Nikola Jokic records another triple-double.
This is an even matchup with both teams healthy. But the Nuggets’ injuries could make this series shorter, with L.A. coming out on top.
Time: 6:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: Clippers win in 6.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
Series tied 1–1
The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors face off in a pivotal Game 3 with the series tied.
The series heads to San Francisco, potentially giving the Warriors the edge. But the outcome of this game, and indeed, the series itself, will depend on the health of Jimmy Butler, who is listed as questionable due to a deep gluteal muscle contusion.
Prior to acquiring Butler in February, the Warriors were a game below .500. After the trade, they closed the regular season 23-8. Without him, they’re simply not a playoff team.
Time: 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC app and website, ESPN app and website, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Series Prediction: Rockets win tonight and clinch the series in 5 if Butler remains out. Rockets in 7 if Butler returns during the series.
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