2025 NBA Finals Preview
The stage is set for the 2025 NBA Finals, with Game 1 set to kick off between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET, to be broadcast on ABC. The journey to this significant moment has been nothing short of exhilarating, filled with thrilling high-flying action and intense matchups that have captivated fans throughout the playoffs.
Playoff Highlights
This year’s postseason has seen unforgettable moments, including two exhilarating seven-game series in the first round. A highlight of the second round was the captivating clash between the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, while a gripping rivalry unfolded between the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets. In a surprising turn of events, the Pacers triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers, earning their spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive year.
Memorable Moments
A standout moment came during the first round when the Denver Nuggets faced off against the Clippers in Game 4 while trailing 2-1 in the series. The Nuggets, buoyed by a robust 20-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, found themselves in a precarious situation as the Clippers rallied to even the score with just eight seconds remaining. With a chance to seal the game, Nikola Jokic missed a 3-pointer, but teammate Aaron Gordon arrived just in time to slam the rebound home, making history as the first player to sink a game-winning dunk at the buzzer during the NBA playoffs.
This victory powered the Nuggets into the semifinals after a convincing 120-101 victory in Game 7, where Russell Westbrook shone with an all-around performance, adding to the game’s memorable highlight with a dunk that resulted in a technical foul for hanging on the rim.
Eastern Conference Highlights
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Knicks put forth an impressive Game 1 performance against the Celtics, needing overtime to secure the win. OG Anunoby‘s powerful and-one dunk during the extra period marked a memorable moment in his scoring spree, finishing with 29 points, notably leaping over superstar Jayson Tatum.
The Cavaliers looked poised to secure a vital victory in Game 2 against the Pacers, holding a seven-point lead with under a minute left. However, Tyrese Haliburton had other ideas and led a remarkable comeback for Indiana, marking their second victory this postseason when trailing by seven or more. Haliburton’s pivotal step-back 3-pointer clinched the game, igniting a passionate celebration from the Pacers, while he remained notably composed.
For the Knicks, the return to the Eastern Conference finals closed a 25-year gap since their last appearance in 2000. They overwhelmed the Celtics with a record-setting 119-81 win at Madison Square Garden, celebrating a franchise-high playoff victory margin amidst festivities erupting in New York City streets.
Key Players
T.J. McConnell has proved vital for the Pacers’ depth throughout the playoffs, consistently scoring in double digits. In a notable moment during Game 5 against the Knicks, he drew attention with a celebratory gesture to the celebrity audience, including Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner.
The Championship Matchup
As the Finals approach, history is set to repeat, as the Knicks meet the Pacers in the championship round — a matchup reminiscent of their last postseason encounter 25 years ago. The Knicks appeared on the verge of taking Game 1, leading by nine with under a minute to go, but a late surge from Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith and a controversial review of Haliburton’s potential game-winning shot transformed fate. Initially celebrated as a game-winner, the shot was deemed a 2-pointer, allowing the Pacers to seize victory in overtime, taking a 1-0 series lead before eventually advancing to the Finals for the first time since 2000.
