Updated NBA Playoff Bracket 2025 Picture, Schedule After Celtics, Pacers Advance
The Indiana Pacers became the latest team to punch a ticket to the second round of the NBA playoffs, joining the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers, who advanced after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat, respectively.
The Pacers sealed the series win with a 119-118 overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night.
The Boston Celtics followed shortly after, clinching their first-round series against the Orlando Magic with a win in Game 5.
With Indiana and Boston now on their way to the second round, here's a look at the updated playoff picture.
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies (OKC wins series)
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers (DEN leads 3-2)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (MIN leads 3-1)
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors (GSW leads 3-1)
Eastern Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat (CLE wins series 4-0)
Indiana Pacers vs. Milwaukee Bucks (IND wins series 4-1)
New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons (NYK leads 3-2)
Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic (BOS wins series 4-1)
Upcoming Playoff Schedule:
Wednesday, April 30
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets, 7:30 p.m. ET
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m. ET
The series between the Pacers and Bucks ended in dramatic fashion on Tuesday.
After a thrilling four quarters of regulation, the game needed five more minutes to be decided. Milwaukee jumped out to an early lead in overtime thanks to a scorching hot performance from Gary Trent Jr., but the Pacers crawled back to stay in the game.
Up four with just 30 seconds left, the Bucks turned the ball over, and Tyrese Haliburton hit a layup and got the foul with the chance to cut it to one. On the other end, Trent fumbled a pass through his legs and gave the ball back to Indiana.
Haliburton once again came through with a layup to take the lead with just one second left. Milwaukee's full-court heave missed, and the Pacers escaped in overtime.
Haliburton finished with 26 points, most of those coming in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The Pacers, now moving on to the second round for a second consecutive season, will take on the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
There was far less drama in the Celtics' 120-89 win over the Magic. While Boston trailed heading into the second half, a big third quarter from Jayson Tatum meant the Celtics could coast through the fourth quarter on the way to victory.
Boston will face the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.
