One of sports’ biggest events, the NBA Playoffs, have kicked things off and have already delivered some exciting games. The last series of the NBA Playoffs, also known as the NBA Finals, begin on June 3, and game seven is scheduled for June 19 if the series goes that far.
Each series in the playoffs is best out of seven, meaning that whichever team reaches four wins first wins the series. The playoffs are currently in the conference semifinals right now, and the conference finals start on May 19.
Here is a recap of what has happened so far throughout the conference quarterfinals in the playoffs.
To start off, in the Western Conference, the number one seed and remaining NBA Finals Champions Oklahoma City Thunder beat the number eight seed Phoenix Suns in four games, completing the sweep. Next up, still in the Western Conference, the four seeded Los Angeles Lakers beat the five seeded Houston Rockets in six games. This series started out with the Lakers up 3-0, and then the Rockets made a comeback but the Lakers took game six to win it.
Next, the three seeded Denver Nuggets faced the six seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in what is now considered to be a rivalry since both of these teams have recently faced each other in the postseason multiple times. The Timberwolves came out on top on this one in six games, with players like Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels delivering big time games and big time moments.
The last series in the Western conference quarterfinals came between the two seeded San Antonio Spurs and the seven seeded Portland Trailblazers. The Spurs ended up taking this one home in five games, 4-1.
In the Eastern conference semifinals, the one seed Detroit Pistons played the eight seeded Orlando Magic. Cade Cunnigham delivered an impressive performance in this series, averaging 32.4 points per game, with an impressive 45 points in game five. Detroit won the series in seven games, and came back from down 3-1.
Next, the four seed Cleveland Cavaliers faced the five seed Toronto Raptors. This series also went to seven games, with the Cavaliers coming out on top. In game 6 of this series, Raptors shooting guard RJ Barrett hit an awesome game winning shot in overtime to send it to game 7, but unfortunately for him the Raptors couldn’t pull out the series win.
The three seed New York Knicks played the Atlanta Hawks, and the Knicks came out on top in this series in six games. In game six, the Knicks won 140-89, which set multiple NBA records. A couple of them being the largest halftime lead in NBA Playoffs history, and another being the largest lead ever recorded in an NBA Playoff game ever of 61 points. Finally, the last game of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals that’s covered in this article was the two seeded Boston Celtics versus the seven seeded Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers came back from 3-1 and won in game seven, thanks to strong performances from 76ers big man Joel Embiid.
The Western and Eastern conference semifinals are currently being played right now, and the game sevens will be held on May 17 and May 18 if the series go that far. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder are matched up with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are playing the San Antonio Spurs. Over in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons are matched up with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks are matched up with the 76ers. All four of these series should make for some fun, close, and exciting games.
As for my predictions, I believe that Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will play each other in the Western Conference semifinals, and I think that the Detroit Pistons will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern conference semifinals.
From there, I believe that the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks will win their respective series, and then face each other in the 2026 NBA Finals. My bets go to the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the finals again which would make them the ninth team to win the NBA Finals back to back years.
Overall, the NBA Playoffs are one of the most watched and most loved sporting events in the world, and expect the rest of the playoffs this year to deliver some great games!
