The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue on Sunday with four Game 4 matchups.
Saturday’s results saw one series close in a sweep, another head towards one, and a spectacular buzzer-beater finish to another.
Expect more drama on Sunday — especially in the Knicks-Pistons game.
Updated NBA Playoffs 2025 Bracket
Here’s the current NBA Playoffs bracket after Saturday’s first-round games:
Saturday, April 26 Game Recaps
Cavaliers 124, Heat 87
Cavaliers lead series 3–0
The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Miami Heat with a 124–87 win in Game 3, taking full control of the series. Their 37-point victory came even with Darius Garland out and despite an off-game for Donovan Mitchell, who shot just 4-14 from the field.
Jarrett Allen led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while De’Andre Hunter added 21 points off the bench. Despite 22 points and 9 rebounds from Bam Adebayo, Miami struggled to match the Cavaliers’ physicality. Cleveland held Tyler Herro to just 13 points.
Series Prediction: Cleveland sweep.
Next Game: Monday, April 28, 7:30 PM Eastern — Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Thunder 118, Grizzlies 109
Thunder win series 4–0
The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies with a 118–109 win in Game 4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 38 points, while Jalen Williams added 23 points. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the Grizzlies with 30 points.
Memphis actually made this an interesting one, leading by as much as 7 in the first, and tying the game late in the second quarter. The Grizzlies clawed back in the game’s final minutes, going on a 19-9 run — but it wasn’t enough.
Nuggets 101, Clippers 99
Series tied 2–2
This is without a doubt the most exciting first-round series of the 2025 playoffs.
The LA Clippers’ Game 3 blowout over the Denver Nuggets proved to be an aberration as last night’s matchup marked the third in the series decided by a single basket. And this one was as dramatic as it gets.
With the game tied at 99 and two seconds to play, Nikola Jokic shot an airball from 27 feet out. But Aaron Gordon caught it mid-air and dunked it in just milliseconds before the clock ran out.
Game 4 saw a Herculean effort by Kawhi Leonard & Co. in the 4th to erase a 22-point deficit. Leonard scored 24 points, including 10 in the game’s final quarter.
Series Prediction: Nuggets in 7.
Next Game: Tuesday, April 29, 10:00 PM Eastern — Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Warriors 104, Rockets 93
Warriors lead series 2–1
Without Jimmy Butler last night, the odds were against the Golden State Warriors, but they came out on top thanks to a standout defensive performance as a team and Steph Curry doing what Steph Curry does best.
Curry scored 36 points in the Game 3 win.
The Houston Rockets actually led for most of the first three quarters, but then the Warriors turned it up another gear in the 4th, shooting 57.1% from the field, holding Houston to just 33.3% shooting.
The Warriors now have the edge in the series and proved they could win without Butler. But expect this series to go the distance.
Series Prediction: Rockets in 7.
Next Game: Monday, April 28, 10:00 PM Eastern — Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Sunday, April 27 – Game 4 Previews
New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
Knicks lead series 2–1
After losing Game 2 at home, the New York Knicks bounced back in Game 3 to steal one from the Pistons in Detroit.
Karl-Anthony Towns stepped up in the Game 3 victory after being AWOL in the 4th quarter of their Game 2 loss. He will be the difference maker as Jalen Brunson can’t do all the work.
New York will need KAT to be the reliable second-scoring option when Detroit attempts to shut Brunson down.
Series Prediction: Detroit wins today, but the Knicks win the series in 7.
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves lead series 2–1
This game will go down to whether Luka Doncic is healthy. LeBron James had a monster Game 3 for the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 38 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
But he had little help as Doncic was held back by a stomach illness. Anthony Edwards was unstoppable for the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 29 points on 5-10 shooting from three.
Edwards had a lot of help from his supporting cast, with Jaden McDaniels leading the Timberwolves with a career playoff-high 30 points and Julius Randle adding 22 points.
Series Prediction: If Luka is healthy, the Lakers bounce back today with a win and take the series in 7. If he’s still battling stomach issues, the Lakers lose in 5.
Time: 3:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
TV: ABC
Streaming: ABC and ESPN apps and websites, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
Celtics lead series 2–1
Can Orlando pull off some more Magic in Game 4? It’s unlikely. Don’t expect them to repeat their Game 3 upset, but the odds could shift in their favor depending on who plays for the battered Boston Celtics.
Jrue Holiday (hamstring) will be out again for today’s game. Jaylen Brown (knee) is listed as questionable. If Brown doesn’t play, the Magic have a real shot at evening the series at home. But victory is not guaranteed. An ailing Jayson Tatum ended up suiting up for Game 3 and put up 36 points. The defending champions know how to win — and despite the challenges, they’re likely to pull it together and take this series.
Series Prediction: Magic win tonight if Brown is out, but Celtics win series in 6. Celtics win tonight and series in 5 if Brown plays.
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
Pacers lead series 2–1
This game may go down to two factors: does Giannis Antetokounmpo get help, and can the Milwaukee Bucks shut down Tyrese Haliburton? That was the formula for the Bucks’ Game 3 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Giannis’s 37 points were matched by Gary Trent Jr. Meanwhile, Haliburton was held to just 14.
Series Prediction: Bucks win again on Sunday at home, but Pacers clinch the series in 6.
Time: 9:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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