Key Highlights:
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are off to a thrilling start, with Game 1 results setting the tone for an intense postseason. Steph Curry’s historic performance for the Golden State Warriors and the Celtics and Cavs dominating at home have given fans a glimpse of standout moments. Certainly, with upsets, blowouts, and playoff drama brewing, the road to the NBA Finals is officially heating up across both conferences. Here is the NBA Playoff bracket through April 20 and everything you need to know ahead of the highly anticipated showdowns.
NBA Playoff bracket so far (April 20)
All 16 NBA teams in the Playoffs are aiming for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. As game 1 for all the teams ended, here is the Playoff bracket and results so far.
Western Conference Matchups
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Series score: OKC leads 1-0
The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, led by rising stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has taken an early advantage over the 8th-seeded Grizzlies. The Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1 of their playoff matchup on Sunday. Aaron Wiggins came off the bench with 21 points, while Jalen Williams added 20. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a quiet night with 15 points, but Chet Holmgren made up for it with 19 points and 10 rebounds. OKC dominated in transition, outscoring Memphis 27-5 on fast breaks and forcing 24 turnovers. Marvin Bagley III and Ja Morant each scored 17 for Memphis, with Bagley hitting a wild buzzer-beater to end the third.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Series score: Denver leads 1-0
Led by MVP-caliber center Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets made a statement in Game Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in 37 minutes of action in the Nuggets’ 144-119 win against the Pelicans. Jokić scored 38 points. Zion Williamson added 28 but failed to secure the win.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Series score: Timberwolves lead 1-0
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a statement with a 117-95 blowout win over the Lakers in Game 1 of their first-round series. Luka Dončić came out firing in his Lakers playoff debut, scoring 16 points in the first quarter on 5-of-10 shooting. But once he cooled off, the rest of the team couldn’t keep up. While it’s just one game, the Lakers looked outmatched and will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid another early playoff exit.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Series score: Warriors lead 1-0
In a stunning Game 1 result, the seventh-seeded Warriors, powered by Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, took down the higher-seeded Rockets. Curry led the team with 31 points, followed by Butler’s 25.
Eastern Conference Matchups
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Series score: Cavaliers lead 1-0
The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, took Game 1 convincingly. Ty Jerome had to wait five long years for his first taste of NBA playoff action and when the moment finally arrived, he didn’t waste it.
On Sunday night, Jerome erupted for 28 points, including 16 in a dominant fourth quarter, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a convincing 121-100 win over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Series score: Pacers lead 1-0
The Indiana Pacers surprised many by taking the opener. The Milwaukee Bucks are now trailing despite having Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster. Still, the Greek Freak made a stunning show, adding 36 points in the game, but the Pacers had the last laugh as they secured a 117-98 win to lead by 1.
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Series score: Knicks lead 1-0
The New York Knicks protected their home court behind the energy of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. The Pistons, still developing their young core, have a tough task ahead. The Knicks secured a 123-112 victory over the Pistons.
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Series score: Celtics lead 1-0
The Boston Celtics, one of the major superpowers in the league, looked dominant in their opener, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way. In the playoff round 1, game 1, the Celtics have secured a stunning 103-86 victory over the Orlando Magic, one of the league's pleasant surprises this season, and will try to make adjustments heading into Game 2.
Also Read: 13-time champion Phil Jackson calls out NBA for playing on Easter
- Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler stun Rockets in Game 1 as Warriors steal early momentum.
- Ty Jerome shines in playoff debut, powering Cavs to dominant win over Miami.
- Thunder dismantle Grizzlies by 51 points in one of the most lopsided Game 1 wins ever.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are off to a thrilling start, with Game 1 results setting the tone for an intense postseason. Steph Curry’s historic performance for the Golden State Warriors and the Celtics and Cavs dominating at home have given fans a glimpse of standout moments. Certainly, with upsets, blowouts, and playoff drama brewing, the road to the NBA Finals is officially heating up across both conferences. Here is the NBA Playoff bracket through April 20 and everything you need to know ahead of the highly anticipated showdowns.
NBA Playoff bracket so far (April 20)
🏆 PLAYOFF BRACKET 🏆
— NBA (@NBA) April 21, 2025
▪️ OKC, BOS, CLE win big at home
▪️ GSW wins battle on the road
Game 2's begin Monday with two games on TNT! pic.twitter.com/ZNsIG2J3MQ
All 16 NBA teams in the Playoffs are aiming for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. As game 1 for all the teams ended, here is the Playoff bracket and results so far.
Western Conference Matchups
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Series score: OKC leads 1-0
The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, led by rising stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has taken an early advantage over the 8th-seeded Grizzlies. The Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the Memphis Grizzlies 131-80 in Game 1 of their playoff matchup on Sunday. Aaron Wiggins came off the bench with 21 points, while Jalen Williams added 20. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a quiet night with 15 points, but Chet Holmgren made up for it with 19 points and 10 rebounds. OKC dominated in transition, outscoring Memphis 27-5 on fast breaks and forcing 24 turnovers. Marvin Bagley III and Ja Morant each scored 17 for Memphis, with Bagley hitting a wild buzzer-beater to end the third.
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Series score: Denver leads 1-0
Led by MVP-caliber center Nikola Jokić, the Denver Nuggets made a statement in Game Michael Porter Jr. led the Nuggets with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in 37 minutes of action in the Nuggets’ 144-119 win against the Pelicans. Jokić scored 38 points. Zion Williamson added 28 but failed to secure the win.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Series score: Timberwolves lead 1-0
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a statement with a 117-95 blowout win over the Lakers in Game 1 of their first-round series. Luka Dončić came out firing in his Lakers playoff debut, scoring 16 points in the first quarter on 5-of-10 shooting. But once he cooled off, the rest of the team couldn’t keep up. While it’s just one game, the Lakers looked outmatched and will need to regroup quickly if they want to avoid another early playoff exit.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Series score: Warriors lead 1-0
In a stunning Game 1 result, the seventh-seeded Warriors, powered by Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, took down the higher-seeded Rockets. Curry led the team with 31 points, followed by Butler’s 25.
Eastern Conference Matchups
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Series score: Cavaliers lead 1-0
The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, took Game 1 convincingly. Ty Jerome had to wait five long years for his first taste of NBA playoff action and when the moment finally arrived, he didn’t waste it.
On Sunday night, Jerome erupted for 28 points, including 16 in a dominant fourth quarter, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a convincing 121-100 win over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Series score: Pacers lead 1-0
The Indiana Pacers surprised many by taking the opener. The Milwaukee Bucks are now trailing despite having Giannis Antetokounmpo on the roster. Still, the Greek Freak made a stunning show, adding 36 points in the game, but the Pacers had the last laugh as they secured a 117-98 win to lead by 1.
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons
Series score: Knicks lead 1-0
The New York Knicks protected their home court behind the energy of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. The Pistons, still developing their young core, have a tough task ahead. The Knicks secured a 123-112 victory over the Pistons.
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Series score: Celtics lead 1-0
The Boston Celtics, one of the major superpowers in the league, looked dominant in their opener, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way. In the playoff round 1, game 1, the Celtics have secured a stunning 103-86 victory over the Orlando Magic, one of the league's pleasant surprises this season, and will try to make adjustments heading into Game 2.
Also Read: 13-time champion Phil Jackson calls out NBA for playing on Easter
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