NBA Playoffs’ final 8 teams ranked by their 2025 championship chances

The first round of the NBA playoffs of 2025 showed the difference between the regular and postseason season. The games were slower and more physical, with offensive rebounds and the battle of often outstanding billing as possessions occurred in a premium. Depth and youth also reigned supreme, with the oldest and most thin lists that do not keep up to date with the new league guard.

The first -round games of the USA. UU., Iconic moments such as the Jalen Brunson series, which elaborate three about Ausar Thompson and dominant performances of the best seeds. Now, eight teams remain chasing a place in the NBA finals of 2025 and the opportunity to raise the Larry O’Brien trophy.

We are in the last four teams in the East and the West. At first glance, the second round does not seem as competitive as the first round. Let’s classify the eight teams that are still standing with the best opportunity to win the NBA 2025 championship.

8. New York Knicks

The Advanced Knicks fit the Detroit Pistons in six games in the first round, but were not impressive in doing so. The New York offensive only scored 111 points for every 100 possessions for the series (which would have classified no. 23 doors the regular season), and seemed a bit unidimensional around the Brunson isolation game. Knicks have the talent of finding an offensive attack plus several, starting by making Karl-Anthony cities more involved and incorporating at least creation opportunities for Mikal Bridges. The Knicks offensive will have to be so, much better of discomfort against the Boston Celtics in the second round, but the other end of the court could so many problems. Towns’ unstable tire protection will be under Boston’s turn, and Brunson will go to the switches. He also worries that Knicks headlines can start physically decomposing after taking huge minutes during the regular season and the first round. It seems that there is a better Knicks team on this list somewhere, but it is unlikely that this season will come out.

Photo by Noah Graham/NBAe through Getty Images

7. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors were on the verge of winning their first round series against rockets in five games, but instead it became a seven -game fight that tested the limits of their ability at both ends. The size limitations of Golden State at the front were evident against the Alignment of Houble-Big, and the Minnesota Timberwolves will present projects in the second round. Golden State only escaped because Buddy caught fire in game 7, and players must continue delivering to the Warriors to achieve another discomfort in the second round. Chief coach Steve Kerr knows that he has three central players in Steph Curry, Drayond Green and Jimmy Butler, who are excellent in their roles, but is still trying to find the correct mixture. A player like Brandin Podziemski feels crucial in the Wolves series to add another shotgun game and defensive games, and it could be the time of Kevon Looney to help keep Minnesota out of the offensive vessel. Butler’s trade saved the Golden State season, and can again be a swing factor in the Wolves series if it is at its best offensively. The clashes and rest favor Minnesota, but we should know better than telling the Warriors whenever they still have curry.

6. Denver nuggets

Nikola Jokic did everything for his teammates who door to the regular season take Denver to seed number 3 in the West. In the first round, his teammates returned his favor. The Nugget Role players saved the day against the clippers, with Christian Braun, Russell Westbrook and Aaron Gordon offering great performances in game 7 and during the series. Jokic was not very similar to the offensive, but increased his level of game defensively of the regular season. While Denver took it out with the clippers, the Thunder were at home resting after their first round sweep. The Thunder are the coolest and deepest team that goes to the confrontation of the second round. It seems that it will take the absolute best of the Nuggets to keep the series nearby. Denver should feel good to win a series with some of his younger pieces that show improvements, but keeping this season against OKC for better sown is a Herculean task. Miracles are possible through Jokic, and if role players stay hot and the defense can remain locked, Denver can convince Itelf to have a chance.

Photo of Justin Castelline/Getty Images

5. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers surpassed the Bucks in five games in a series that was so little competitive that the end of the era of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee is expected to spell. The Pacers offensive looked fantastic by scoring 117.8 points per 100 possessions (which would have classified the number 5 in the regular season), but they can do more than just win a track match. The exchange of Pascal Siakam has helped Indiana more size and more defensive spine, in the process, which makes them a balanced team instead of one that strongly relons their offensive. The confrontation with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round will show how close to Indiana is really the top of the Eastern Conference. Until now, so well: the Pacers criticized the cavs from the three -point line to steal game 1, and his defense was impressive to limit a fantastic offensive of Cleveland was that Darius Garland was missing. The magnetic cross pass of Tyrese Haliburton and the ability to avoid ball losses establish many scoring opportunities, and the shooters must remain hot after drilling 39.3 percent of their three against the Bucks. As much as Indiana has improved defensive, slowing down to the cavs is a high task, but it is much easier if Garland is out or limited. The Pacers won a shooting in game 1, and raised the rhythm and three -point appearance could be the best to win the series.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Wolves looked super convincing in their five -series victory over the Lakers, where they dominated the offensive glass, avoided ball losses, and decidedly had the best player in the series in Anthony Edwards. Edwards’ decision -making was as impressive as his shot, collecting traps from the Lakers and making his own thinking in progress without forcing him. Edwards could be turning the corner into a player in the top five, and the defense is still very good. Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert had a series of declaration with Bully Ball that the Lakers could not match. Minnesota’s size and physical advantage will continue against another older team in the Warriors in the second round. The wolves must have a great advantage in the offensive vessel, and will be in Gobert to offer it useful enough to punish the looks of the little Golden State ball. Minnesota has enough long -hand defenders to make the miserable life for the Warriors offensive, but Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler always find a way. If Edwards can continually make the right readings and role-players like Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker continue to step forward, the wolves should return to the finals of the West Conference once again. The wolves have a combination of physicality and depth that is built to win in the playoffs, and they surely seem to be reaching their maximum point at the right time.

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3. Cleveland Cavaliers

The cavs won their first round series against the Heat by 122 points, the greatest margin in the history of the playoffs. Cleveland’s number 1 offensive continued to cook at the playoffs, scoring 137.2 absurd points per 100 possessions for the series against a defense of the regular season among the 10 best in Miami. Only one thing is wrong for the cavs in the first round, and it is already affecting them in the second round: Darius Garland twisted his, an injury that probably keeps it out several weeks if the regular season happened. The cavs lost the creation of shooting and Garland’s game in their defeat in game 1 against the Pacers. Ty Jerome seemed much more human in a more important role than kitchen bank units, and the offensive never shot in all cylinders as it does with Garland. Even if Garland returns to game 2, it is not clear how effective it will be with this injury for a guard that depends on his change. Even so, Cleveland can win the series dominating the confrontations of the front court and the night leaves the disparity of the three -point line in game 1. This seems the best series of the second round with two high -power offenses in each Ohter. Cleveland should have the advantage, but it is a different ball game with Garland Hurt.

2. Boston Celtics

The Celtics were too good for magic, even without being in the best way. Jayson Tatum played an incredible series despite suffering a Wist lesion that did it for Miss game 2. Jrue Holiday failed the last three games with a tension in the hamstrings. Jaylen Brown entered the playoffs with a knee bruise, but had a productive series. Kristaps Porzingis was one of the few Celtics that was healthy, but put in the flow of the offensive. Orlando was never going to have enough shots to face the Celtics, but part of that is because the level of Boston at both ends of the floor is very difficult to match. With a confrontation of the Knicks that is coming, the versatility of the Celtics will be useful again. Wait to see Tatum protecting cities for long sections while changing ball screens. Porzingis provides the type of protection of the Knicks defense, and Boston Bank is also an easy advantage over New York. If the Celtics are healthy, this is an elite team that is highly capable or in title races. A series with the Knicks should be closer to five games than seven.

Justin Ford/Getty images photo

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

The first round of the Thunder of the Memphis Grizzlies not only strengthened his status as the favorites of the championship: they are also a second dismissal or long rest before the second round. OKC advanced easily despite the probable MVP of the Shai Gilgous-Alexander League not playing the best of itself until game 4. The depth of the Thunder was shown again, with the steep defense of Alex Caruso promoting his great return of game 3, and Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace fill the cracks around the stars. Denver will present a new set of challenges, but the Thunder made movements last summer with this series in mind. Isaiah Hartenstein won Jokic closing because no one can, but can defend himself in that confrontation better than most centers. Chet Holmgren can terrorize Nuggets offensive as an itinerant edge protector, and has just reached 42.3 percent of its last series of three at the other end. Jalen Williams also seems to be locked at this time, and could be ready to eat again while Denver fights to cover all the OKC weapons. The confrontations and the rest of rest greatly favor thunder in this series. After losing in the second round as the best seed last year, it is time for Thunder to show their growth and take the next step in their inevitable persecution in the championship.