The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue Sunday, May 4, with the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, and a final Game 7 of the first-round series between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets.
We’ve got a wrap-up of Saturday’s game and a preview of today’s.
But first, here’s the updated 2025 NBA Playoffs bracket.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoffs Bracket
Here’s the current NBA Playoffs bracket after Saturday’s game that saw the Denver Nuggets advance to the Western Conference semifinals after their win over the LA Clippers:
Saturday, May 3 – Game 7 Recap
Denver Nuggets 120, LA Clippers 101
Nuggets win series 4–3
The Nuggets punched their ticket to the Western Conference semifinals with a commanding Game 7 win over the Clippers.
Denver took control early, building an 11-point halftime lead and never letting up in the second half. The Nuggets expanded their lead to 35 in the fourth quarter, propelled by a 17-0 run in the third — an unexpected end to a series that saw three games decided by a single possession.
Nikola Jokić had an off night, at least for Nikola Jokić, managing another near triple-double with 10 rebounds, eight assists, but just 16 points. In the end, it didn’t matter, as five other Nuggets players scored in double digits, led by Aaron Gordon, who put up 22 points, followed by Christian Braun, who scored 21. Russell Westbrook chipped in 16 in the win.
As for the Clippers, James Harden lived up to his reputation as a poor game seven performer, scoring just seven points off two of eight shooting from the field. Kawhi Leonard managed a respectable 22 points.
The Nuggets now look to steal Oklahoma City’s Thunder in what’s expected to be a fast-paced, high-scoring semifinal series.
Sunday, May 4 – Game Previews
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Eastern Conference Semifinals – Game 1
The Cavaliers, who swept the Miami Heat in the first round, host the Pacers tonight, who are fresh off their five-game series win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Pacers actually won the regular-season series 3–1, though two of those victories came without Donovan Mitchell and other key Cavs players in the lineup. Meanwhile, the Pacers’ only loss came when Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined.
Notably, Indiana claimed one win with both Mitchell and Haliburton on the court — a 108–93 victory on January 12 that snapped Cleveland’s 12-game winning streak.
For Indiana to challenge Cleveland, they’ll need to contain the Cavaliers’ relentless three-point attack. That will require not just perimeter pressure from Andrew Nembhard, but also for Miles Turner to step up defensively in the pick-and-roll without sacrificing his rim protection duties.
Series Prediction: Cleveland is the clear favorite to win tonight at home, but Indiana has the potential to steal a game or two in this series.
Time: 6:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Western Conference First Round – Game 7
The Rockets look to keep their momentum rolling against the Golden State Warriors after back-to-back blowout wins. The return of Jimmy Butler to the Warriors’ starting lineup initially seemed like it might tilt the series in Golden State’s favor, but Houston has had an answer for the Butler-Stephen Curry tandem with its suffocating defense, one of the league’s best.
The Rockets have been fueled by veterans like Fred VanVleet and the young Turkish sensation, Alperen Sengun.
Tonight’s Game 7 is a winner-takes-all showdown. Houston forced the decider with a Game 6 victory in San Francisco, and the winner will move on to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals.
Series Prediction: Rockets in 7.
Time: 8:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: TNT
Streaming: TNT app, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
Globely News covers the game changers transforming the worlds of business, sports, politics, and technology. From AI and electric vehicles to the rise of China and the NFL's next stars, we've got you covered.