After six months of nonstop action, highlight reels, historic individual performances and cover stars, the NBA Playoffs are finally here.
Some squads are back in the postseason for the first time in a minute, while others are making their return with a ton of momentum. The matchups are set, the storylines are still being written and the vibes? Immaculate.
The first round is just getting started. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight and Sunday:
Eastern Conference:
Cleveland Cavaliers: Kenny Atkinson has his Cavaliers hoopin’ in his first season in The Land. The Cavs snagged the top-seed in the East after posting a 64-18 record, the second-best in franchise history. Atkinson’s Cavaliers boast a fast-paced, pass-heavy offense that allows for Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell to shoot more, while allowing Evan Mobley to give interior defenders nightmares in the post. The Cavs are out to prove this historic season is legit. Better believe it.
“Until we have this parade in Cleveland, [and I’m] on the floats and [have] a ring on my finger. We haven’t done anything.” – DG
Boston Celtics: The defending champs are looking to run it back. The Celtics cruised to a 61-21 record and will now have Kristaps Porzingis for their entire playoff run, too. Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics play with a high-pace across the roster and take a high volume of shots behind the arc. Boston is looking to make their way back into the Finals and bring a parade back to the city, Duck boats and all.
New York Knicks: The Knicks are back in the postseason, but with a few new faces in the lineup. Tom Thibodeau’s squad plays a fast-paced shooting offense, but has struggled to emulate their trademark defense from the past few seasons. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges have boosted New York’s starting five, ready to fire from deep at any point. In front of the most passionate fans in the league, the Knicks will look to advance past the second round, where they were eliminated the past two seasons by the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers.
I love our grit—that New York grit.
Indiana Pacers: The Pacers return most of last year’s squad that made the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Running a fast-paced, pass-heavy offense led by Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana gets buckets any way they choose to. Indiana outscores opponents at a rapid rate to get the job done. Expect a high-scoring series against the Milwaukee Bucks, with Indiana fighting to get over the hump and break through for their first Finals appearance since 2000.
Milwaukee Bucks: Behind midseason moves, including a parting with franchise legend Khris Middleton, the Bucks are back in the playoffs. With an offensive revolving around the freight train named Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have thrived while playing mostly iso-ball. The Bucks are looking to get Damian Lillard back for the playoffs, providing a playmaking and sharpshooting threat. Milwaukee will look to avenge their first-round exit from last season playing against a familiar foe in the Indiana Pacers.
Detroit Pistons: Detroit is back in the postseason. The Pistons turned a 30-win turnaround into a playoff berth led by cover star Cade Cunningham. They play scrappy defense behind Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Stewart, while grinding points through Cunningham and sharpshooter Malik Beasley. They will try to advance past the first round for the first time since ’08.
“That was one of the main things that I wanted to do coming to Detroit: start us getting back to winning.” – Cade
Orlando Magic: Orlando cruised their way through the Play-In Tournament to snag the seventh seed to square off against the defending champions. Marred by injuries throughout the year, Orlando plays a fast-paced offense that loves to shoot the long ball with Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner, while flying high in the paint with Paolo Banchero. Orlando will look to avenge last season’s first-round exit and advance for the first time since 2010.
Miami Heat: Heat Culture is the real deal. With constant lineup changes and midseason moves, Erik Spoelstra has the Heat back into the postseason. With scrappy defense and hustle, Miami grinds their way to victories through the long ball and winning on the glass with Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith. Tyler Herro had the best season of his career as the team’s first option, and will look to shoot Miami into an upset over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder proved last season was no fluke, posting a league-best 68-14 record. The Thunder have sharpshooters across the board, lockdown defenders and SGA: one of the flyest frontrunners in the MVP discussion. OKC looks like the most complete two-way team in the mix. With postseason experience under their belt, OKC is looking to prove that the postseason lights are not too bright, and potentially take home the franchise’s first title since 1979.
I think 1745117191 I just understand the bigger picture in winning at this level, for sure. I’ve gotten a little wiser in that aspect. – Shai
Houston Rockets: The Rockets surprised everyone this season, winning 52 games and clinching the No. 2 seed. Led by an electric bench and energetic core of Jalen Green and Amen Thompson and versatile big man Alperen Sengun, the Rockets boast one of the deepest rotations in the League. Houston is looking to prove that they are the real deal in the team’s first postseason appearance since 2020.
I just gotta put my little sauce on it and my finesse on it and, sh-t, they do the rest. – FVV
Los Angeles Lakers: Two words: Luka and LeBron. The Lakers have thrived off the two-man game of LeBron and Luka, with bench and crowd vibes at an all-time high. JJ Redick’s offense allows for Luka to cook defenders in man-to-man coverage, while drawing up motion that frees up shooters. The Lakers made it clear they’re in “win-now” mode, and will look to raise Doncic’s first Larry O’Brien trophy.
Denver Nuggets: Despite being the No. 4 seed in the West, there’s always a chance with a three-time MVP on the roster. Nikola Jokic put together another historic season after averaging a triple-double. He leads Denver’s fast-paced offensive attack. Boasting a strong bench, the Nuggets will look to make it back to the Finals and win their second Championship in two seasons.
LA Clippers: The opposite of the Pacers, the Clippers enter the playoffs as a matchup nightmare. A team with lockdown defenders scattered across the starting five and bench, LA wears opponents down to grind out victories. With electric energy from the bench and “The Wall” of fans, the Clippers will look to make noise in the postseason and make a run with a fully-healthy Kawhi Leonard and roster.
Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves are back, and have found their stride at the right time. The team plays with two-way excellence, and boasts one of the most dynamic scorers in the league in Anthony Edwards. The Ant-Man has sparked the team’s energy, displaying the highest-level of confidence in the league, which has reflected across the lineup. Minnesota added sharpshooters to their starting five, and will look to advance to their first Finals in franchise history after falling in the Western Conference Finals last season.
Golden State Warriors: Golden State may be a seven seed, but never count out Playoff Jimmy and Steph Curry. The Warriors have continued their three-point barrage against opponents, with Curry playing at a near-MVP level. Butler’s addition has brought the team’s energy up, and the Warriors appear to have found their stride at the right time. They will try and make a postseason run, first by upsetting the upstart Houston Rockets.
Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies mowed down the Mavericks in the Play-In Tournament last night to clinch the final seed in the West. Memphis has been at the center of media frenzy, which has shifted attention away from their balanced squad. Ja Morant leads a team that can score at any level—beyond the arc and in the paint—while also boasting elite interior defenders. The Grizzlies donned throwback uniforms that electrified the crowd last night, and with vibes at a high point, Memphis will look to pull off a shock upset over the top dogs in the League.
