NBA Playoffs’ last 8 groups ranked by their 2025 championship possibilities

The primary-round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs proved the distinction between the common season and the postseason. The video games have been slower and extra bodily, with offensive rebounding and the turnover battle typically being spotlighted as possessions got here at a premium. Depth and youth additionally reigned supreme, with older and thinner rosters failing to maintain up with the league’s new guard.

The primary-round gave us two Sport 7s, iconic moments like Jalen Brunson’s series-clinching three over Ausar Thompson, and dominant performances from the highest seeds. Now, eight groups are left nonetheless chasing a spot within the 2025 NBA Finals and the chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy.

We’re right down to the ultimate 4 groups in each the East and the West. At first look, the second-round doesn’t seem as aggressive because the first-round. Let’s rank the eight groups nonetheless standing by who has the most effective probability to win the 2025 NBA championship.

8. New York Knicks

The Knicks superior previous the upstart Detroit Pistons in six video games within the first-round, however they weren’t overly spectacular in doing so. New York’s offense solely scored 111 factors per 100 possessions for the sequence (which might have ranked No. 23 throughout the common season), and seemed a bit one-dimensional revolving round Brunson’s isolation recreation. The Knicks have the expertise to provide you with a extra various offensive assault, beginning with getting Karl-Anthony Cities extra concerned and incorporating at the very least some creation alternatives for Mikal Bridges. The Knicks’ offense goes to must be so, so significantly better to drag off the upset in opposition to the Boston Celtics in spherical two, however the different finish of the courtroom might give them simply as a lot bother. Cities’ shaky rim safety can be beneath duress in opposition to Boston’s whirling drive-and-kick assault, and Brunson can be focused on switches. There’s additionally a fear that the Knicks’ starters might start to breakdown bodily after carrying large minutes all through the common season and first-round. It looks like there’s a greater Knicks workforce on this roster someplace, but it surely’s unlikely to return out this season.

7. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have been on the point of successful their first-round sequence in opposition to the Rockets in 5 video games, however as a substitute it changed into a seven-game slugfest that examined the boundaries of their potential on each ends. Golden State’s dimension limitations up entrance have been evident in opposition to Houston’s double-big lineup, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will current comparable issues in spherical two. Golden State solely escaped as a result of Buddy Hield caught hearth in Sport 7, and the position gamers might want to proceed to ship for the Warriors to drag off one other upset within the second spherical. Head coach Steve Kerr is aware of he has three core gamers in Steph Curry, Draymond Inexperienced, and Jimmy Butler who’re all wonderful of their roles, however he’s nonetheless attempting combos round them to seek out the correct mix. A participant like Brandin Podziemski feels essential within the Wolves sequence so as to add one other aspect of shot-making and defensive playmaking, and it is likely to be time to decide to Kevon Looney to assist hold Minnesota off the offensive glass. The Butler commerce saved Golden State’s season, and he can once more be a swing issue within the Wolves sequence if he’s at his greatest offensively. The matchups and relaxation favor Minnesota, however we must always know higher than to depend out the Warriors so long as they nonetheless have Curry.

6. Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic did every part for his teammates throughout the common season to hold Denver to the No. 3 seed within the West. Within the first-round, his teammates returned the favor. The Nuggets’ position gamers saved the day in opposition to the Clippers, with Christian Braun, Russell Westbrook, and Aaron Gordon delivering massive performances in Sport 7 and all through the sequence. Jokic was uncharacteristically unspectacular offensively, however did elevate his stage of play defensively from the common season. Whereas Denver slugged it out with the Clippers, the Thunder have been at house resting after their first-round sweep. The Thunder are the brisker, deeper workforce heading into the spherical two matchup. It looks like it is going to take the very best effort from the Nuggets to maintain the sequence shut. Denver ought to really feel nice about successful a sequence with a few of their youthful items displaying enchancment, however protecting this season alive in opposition to top-seeded OKC is a Herculean job. Miracles are doable by Jokic, and if the position gamers keep sizzling and the protection can keep locked in, Denver can speak itself into having an opportunity.

Photograph by Justin Casterline/Getty Pictures

5. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers outclassed the Bucks in 5 video games in a sequence that was so uncompetitive it’s extensively anticipated to spell the tip of the Giannis Antetokounmpo period in Milwaukee. The Pacers’ offense seemed incredible in scoring 117.8 factors per 100 possessions (which might have ranked No. 5 throughout the common season), however they will do extra than simply win a observe meet. The Pascal Siakam commerce has helped give Indiana extra dimension and extra defensive spine, within the course of making them a balanced workforce as a substitute of 1 that relied closely on its offense. The matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers in spherical two will present how shut Indiana actually is the highest of the Japanese Convention. To date, so good: the Pacers blasted the Cavs from the three-point line to steal Sport 1, and their protection was simply spectacular limiting a incredible Cleveland offense was that was lacking Darius Garland. Tyrese Haliburton’s magnetic cross-court passing and skill to keep away from turnovers units up loads of scoring alternatives, and the shooters might want to keep sizzling after drilling 39.3 p.c of their threes in opposition to the Bucks. For as a lot as Indiana has improved defensively, slowing down the Cavs is a tall of a job, but it surely’s loads simpler if Garland is out or hobbled. The Pacers’ gained a shootout in Sport 1, and cranking up the tempo and the three-point appears is likely to be their greatest wager to win the sequence.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves seemed tremendous convincing of their five-game sequence win over the Lakers the place they dominated the offensive glass, prevented turnovers, and decidedly had the most effective participant within the sequence in Anthony Edwards. Edwards’ decision-making was simply as spectacular as his shot-making, selecting aside the Lakers traps and getting his personal scoring going with out forcing it. Edwards is likely to be turning the nook right into a top-five participant, and the protection remains to be superb behind him. Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert every had an announcement sequence with bully ball the Lakers couldn’t match. Minnesota’s dimension and physicality benefit will proceed in opposition to one other older workforce within the Warriors within the second spherical. The Wolves ought to once more have an enormous benefit on the offensive glass, and will probably be on Gobert to make himself helpful sufficient offensively to punish Golden State’s small ball appears. Minnesota has sufficient long-armed defenders to make life depressing for the Warriors’ offense, however Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler at all times discover a approach. If Edwards can proceed to make the correct reads and the position gamers like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker proceed to step up, the Wolves must be again within the Western Convention Finals as soon as once more. The Wolves have a mixture of physicality and depth that’s constructed to win within the playoffs, and so they certain appear to be peaking on the proper time.

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3. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs gained their first-round sequence in opposition to the Warmth by 122 factors, the greatest margin in playoff historical past. Cleveland’s No. 1 offense saved cooking within the playoffs, scoring an absurd 137.2 factors per 100 possessions for the sequence in opposition to a top-10 common season protection in Miami. Just one factor went unsuitable for the Cavs in spherical one, and it’s already impacting them in spherical two: Darius Garland sprained his toe, an harm that might doubtless hold him out a number of weeks if it occurred throughout the common season. The Cavs missed Garland’s shot-creation and playmaking badly of their Sport 1 loss to the Pacers. Ty Jerome seemed much more human in an even bigger position than he has cooking bench items, and the offense simply by no means actually fired on all cylinders the best way it does with Garland. Even when Garland returns for Sport 2, it’s unclear how efficient he’ll be with this harm for a guard that depends on his shiftiness. Nonetheless, Cleveland can win this sequence by dominating the entrance courtroom matchups and night out the disparity from the three-point line in Sport 1. This appears like the most effective sequence of the second spherical with two high-powered offenses going at one another. Cleveland ought to have the benefit, but it surely’s a unique ball recreation with Garland harm.

2. Boston Celtics

The Celtics have been simply approach too good for the Magic even with out being in high form. Jayson Tatum performed an unbelievable sequence regardless of struggling a wrist harm that brought on him to overlook Sport 2. Jrue Vacation missed the final three video games with a hamstring pressure. Jaylen Brown entered the playoffs with a knee bruise, however had a productive sequence. Kristaps Porzingis was one of many few Celtics who was wholesome, however he obtained misplaced within the move of the offense. Orlando was by no means going to have sufficient capturing to matchup with the Celtics, however a part of that’s as a result of Boston’s stage on each ends of the ground is so laborious to match. With a Knicks matchup looming, the Celtics’ versatility will once more turn out to be useful. Anticipate to see Tatum guarding Cities for lengthy stretches whereas switching ball screens. Porzingis gives the kind of rim safety the Knicks’ protection is missing, and Boston’s bench additionally a simple benefit over the New York’s. If the Celtics are wholesome, that is an elite workforce that’s extremely able to back-to-back title runs. A sequence with the Knicks must be nearer to 5 video games than seven.

Photograph by Justin Ford/Getty Pictures

1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder

The Thunder’s first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t simply fortify their standing because the championship favorites: it additionally gave them a second lengthy layoff of relaxation earlier than spherical two. OKC superior with ease regardless of the doubtless league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not enjoying his greatest till Sport 4. The Thunder’s depth confirmed out once more, with Alex Caruso’s rugged protection powering their large Sport 3 comeback, and Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, and Cason Wallace filling the cracks across the stars. Denver will current a brand new set of challenges, however the Thunder made strikes final summer time with this sequence in thoughts. Isaiah Hartenstein gained’t shutdown Jokic as a result of nobody can, however he can maintain his personal in that matchup higher than most facilities. Chet Holmgren can terrorize the Nuggets offense as a roaming rim protector, and he simply hit 42.3 p.c of his threes final sequence on the opposite finish. Jalen Williams additionally appears locked in proper now, and could possibly be set to eat once more as Denver scrambles to cowl all the OKC’s weapons. The matchups and relaxation benefit closely favor the Thunder on this sequence. After shedding within the second spherical as the highest seed final 12 months, it’s time for the Thunder to point out their development and take the following step on their inevitable championship chase.