Well, the NBA’s final four is almost set, folks! The No. 3 New York Knicks are gearing up to face off against the No. 4 Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA playoffs, while the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves have managed to advance to the Western Conference Finals. It’s definitely an exciting time for basketball fans as we watch these teams battle it out for a shot at the championship.
A fun fact for you – this will be the second consecutive postseason that both Indiana and Minnesota, two teams without a title to their name, have made it to the conference finals. On the other hand, New York is making its first appearance in this round since way back in 2000. Will they be able to make it all the way this time? Only time will tell!
In the Eastern Conference Finals, we’ll be treated to a rematch from last year’s playoffs when the Pacers managed to overcome a 3-2 series deficit against the Knicks, ultimately winning Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Indiana has been on fire this postseason, breezing through both the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in just five games each. Tyrese Haliburton and his crew are now aiming to secure the franchise’s first NBA Finals appearance since 2000, which would only be their second one ever. However, Indiana hasn’t had the best track record in conference final series, losing eight out of nine in the past.
The Knicks, on the other hand, had a tough road to the conference finals, taking down the No. 6 Detroit Pistons in a grueling six-game series before defeating the defending champions, the No. 2 Boston Celtics. New York gained an early lead in the series as Boston lost star player Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles late in Game 4. The Knicks sealed the deal with a decisive Game 6 victory, bringing them one step closer to their first championship win since way back in 1973. Lastly, the Wolves have been making waves in the West, winning both their playoff series in just five games each against the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers and the No. 7 Golden State Warriors. Minnesota, who have never made it to the NBA Finals, are making their third-ever conference final appearance and are eager to keep the momentum going.
Now, as we wait for the conference finals to kick off, we’re left wondering when the games will start and what the schedule will look like. The matchups are set with the Pacers facing the Knicks in the East and the Wolves taking on either the Thunder or the Nuggets in the West. Home-court advantage goes to the higher-seeded teams, so both the Pacers and Wolves will start off on the road. The Western Conference Finals are set to begin on Tuesday, May 20, followed by the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 21. Mark your calendars, folks!
In the West, we have a thrilling lineup of games scheduled, starting with Game 1 where the Wolves will face off against either the Thunder or the Nuggets on Tuesday, May 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The series will continue with Game 2 on Thursday, May 22, and so on, with potential games up to Game 7 if necessary. Over in the East, the Pacers will go head-to-head with the Knicks starting on Wednesday, May 21, at 8 p.m. ET on TNT. The series will unfold over several games, culminating in a potential Game 7 on Monday, June 2. It’s sure to be an action-packed few weeks as we watch these teams battle it out for a shot at the NBA Finals, which are set to begin on Thursday, June 5. Get ready for some intense basketball, folks!
