The NBA Semifinals are delivering intense playoff action as the New York Knicks surprisingly hold a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics in the East, while the Indiana Pacers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder are up 3-2 against the Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are on the verge of eliminating the Golden State Warriors with a 3-1 series lead.

• Eastern Conference Showdowns: The Knicks surprisingly lead the Celtics 3-1, while the Pacers have eliminated the Cavaliers 4-1 and await their Conference Finals opponent.
• Western Conference Battles: The Thunder hold a 3-2 edge over the Nuggets in a tight series, and the Timberwolves are up 3-1 against the Warriors.
• Looking Ahead: The Knicks and Thunder are currently in the strongest positions to advance to the NBA Finals, though key matchups remain and potential upsets loom.

NBA Semifinals: Tight Battles and Potential Upsets

The 2025 NBA Semifinals are currently underway, showcasing intense matchups in both the Eastern and Western Conferences. Several series are closely contested, hinting at thrilling finishes and potential upsets.

Eastern Conference

• (2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks: This series has been a surprise, with the Knicks holding a 3-1 lead over the heavily favored Celtics. After splitting the first two close games in New York, the Knicks took a decisive Game 3 in Boston and followed it up with another victory on the road. Game 5 is scheduled for tonight in Boston. The Knicks are now in a strong position to reach their first Conference Finals since 1999. However, concerns are emerging for the Celtics as reports indicate star forward Jayson Tatum has a torn Achilles.
• (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have eliminated the top-seeded Cavaliers in five games, winning the series 4-1. Indiana clinched the series with a 114-105 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday night, securing their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Western Conference

• (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets: This series is tightly contested, with the Thunder leading 3-2 after their 112-105 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday. The Thunder bounced back from an earlier loss to regain the lead. Game 6 will be played in Denver on Thursday. This matchup features two of the leading MVP candidates, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Nikola Jokić of the Nuggets.
• (6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (7) Golden State Warriors: The Timberwolves hold a 3-1 lead over the Warriors. After splitting the initial two games, Minnesota secured two consecutive wins, putting the defending Western Conference champions on the brink of elimination. Game 5 is scheduled for tonight in Minnesota. The Warriors have been playing without Stephen Curry due to a hamstring strain, significantly impacting their performance.

What to Expect Going Forward

In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers await their opponent in the Conference Finals. The Celtics face elimination tonight against a confident Knicks team.

In the Western Conference, both series are still up for grabs. The Thunder will look to close out the Nuggets in Denver, while the Timberwolves have an opportunity to eliminate the Warriors at home. If both the Celtics and Warriors face elimination tonight and lose, the Conference Finals matchups could be set very soon.

Who is in the Best Position to Make the Finals?

Based on the current standings and expert predictions:

• Eastern Conference: The New York Knicks are in the best position to reach the NBA Finals from the East. Holding a 3-1 lead over a potentially injured Celtics team gives them a significant advantage.
• Western Conference: The Oklahoma City Thunder are considered the favorites to come out of the West. They hold a series lead over the defending champions and have been impressive throughout the playoffs.

However, the playoffs have already seen upsets, and with tight series ongoing, anything can happen as the semifinals progress. The health of key players, particularly for the Celtics and Warriors, will also play a crucial role in determining the final matchups. Currently, oddsmakers favor the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA Championship.