The 2025 NBA playoffs are set to begin on April 20, as fans and franchises begin counting down the days. Sixteen participating teams will contend for the championship title. The winnowing process continues, as just eight teams from each conference will duke it out in an exhilarating postseason format. The playoffs will return to a rigid 2-2-1-1-1 alignment. This arrangement gives the team with the better record during the regular season home-court advantage in all series.
The playoffs will unfold over four distinct rounds: the first round, conference semifinals, conference finals, and ultimately, the NBA Finals. The road to the championship starts in the first round, where teams will face off in a traditional best-of-seven series. This year, the fun will start with a bang as four games will stream on opening day.
Play-In Tournament Precedes Playoffs
Before the post-season officially starts, teams will meet in the play-in tournament taking place between April 16-19. This important event will set the 7 and 8 seeds in each conference. The stakes are too high! Only the best of the best from the regular season are able to lock in their playoff berths in this cutthroat format.
With the addition of the play-in tournament, there’s even more drama turned up to eleven in the postseason. This year, teams that finish 7th through 10th in each conference will play their way into the playoffs. The victors of these duels will claim the last two playoff positions. This result bodes well for an action-packed playoff season to come!
Structure and Format of the Playoffs
After the seeds are known, the playoffs are the same unchanging course of action. In every round, the teams will compete against one another in an exciting best-of-seven format. The squad that finished the regular season with a better record will have home-court advantage. Perhaps most importantly, teams will no longer be reseeded after each round, keeping the matchups set at the start based on teams’ standings.
The playoffs are sure to deliver an exhilarating 84 games. Fans are going to love seeing teams go all out in pursuit of the win! The first round will be highlighted by four competitive matchups on April 20, kicking off a fiery postseason battle. And teams are already preparing for that battle. From here on out, all they’ll concern themselves with is implementing their game plans and proving their abilities between the lines.
Final Stages and Broadcast Details
With every week that passes in the playoffs, the thrill grows. The much awaited NBA Finals open on June 5. This year fans can catch all of these crucial, climactic battles live on ABC and via the ESPN App. The Finals will crown the team that takes home all the marbles and the coveted title of league champion.
Sound like such a mix of heavy hitters along with up-and-coming dark horses, this year’s playoffs will deliver captivating duels and unexpected surprises. Every single game will matter a lot. Teams will battle hard, not just for the win, but for their chance to make NCAA Tournament history.
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