Updated NBA Playoff Bracket 2025 Picture, Schedule After Warriors Advance vs. Rockets

Taylyn Hadley May 5, 2025

Sunday served up a high-stakes doubleheader.

A win-or-go-home Game 7 between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets decided the final ticket to the Western Conference Semifinals, which followed the Cleveland Cavaliers tipping off a fresh, fiery second-round battle against the Indiana Pacers in the East.

The Warriors aimed to fend off elimination behind their battle-tested core, trying to close out the rising, relentless Rockets, who had stormed back to force a decisive Game 7.

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Meanwhile, the Cavaliers enjoyed an extended rest after dispatching the Miami Heat, becoming the first team to punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

2025 NBA playoffs Round 2 picture

Western Conference

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Series kicks off May 5)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors (Series kicks off May 6)

Eastern Conference

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers (IND leads 1-0)

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics (Series kicks off May 5)

Upcoming Playoff Schedule

Monday, May 5

New York Knicks at Boston Celtics, 7:00 p.m. ET

Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder, 9:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, May 6

Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:00 p.m. ET

Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves, 9:30 p.m. ET

No. 7 Golden State Warriors def. No. 2 Houston Rockets, 103-89

Golden State surged ahead early despite a quiet first half from its stars. Stephen Curry managed just three points on 1-of-7 shooting, Draymond Green added 10 and Jimmy Butler III chipped in eight on 3-of-7 from the field.

Instead, it was Buddy Hield who stole the spotlight, torching the Rockets with 22 first-half points, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, to give the Warriors a 51-39 lead at the break.

Amen Thompson shines as the Rockets’ standout performer, leading the team in scoring at the half with 12 points. Fred VanVleet added nine, while Alperen Şengün contributed eight to keep Houston within striking distance.

Meanwhile, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks couldn’t find a rhythm, managing just two points each through two quarters.

The Rockets came out firing in the third quarter, launching a 14-7 run led by six points from Şengün and 10 from Thompson. Despite outscoring Golden State 23-19 in the frame, the Warriors held on to their lead heading into the fourth, thanks to a strong stretch from Butler III and a heating-up Curry.

Curry opened the fourth quarter with five straight points, quickly pushing the Warriors’ lead back to 13 and prompting Rockets head coach Ime Udoka to burn a timeout.

A 6-0 run by Butler and a clutch steal by Curry led to a three-point dagger, followed moments later by another triple from Hield to seal the win. The Warriors’ victory was powered by an impressive fourth-quarter surge from Hield, Butler III and Curry.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals is set for Tuesday in Minnesota, where the Timberwolves will host the Warriors.

No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112

The top-seeded Cavaliers were stunned in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, falling to the Pacers.

Indiana saw all five starters score in double figures, led by Andrew Nembhard’s 23 points and five three-pointers. Tyrese Haliburton added 22 on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting, while Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith each chipped in 17. Myles Turner contributed 13 points.

Down the stretch, Haliburton delivered in the clutch for the Pacers, drilling a go-ahead three-pointer and swatting Max Strus at the rim, which led to a transition bucket on the other end to help seal the win.