2025 NBA Playoffs
CBS Sports
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs come to a close, what began in April with securing final spots in the play-ins has now turned into a spectacle of game-winning shots, insane blowouts, and much more — all intently watched by Hamber students.
“At first I was rooting for [the Oklahoma City Thunder] since they literally crushed the wolves,” said Noa Sancho Estevez (8). On the other hand, Frederico Pinto (11) and Mason Liu (10) were both rooting for the Golden State Warriors at the start of the playoffs.
The first round of playoffs started on Apr. 19 and ended on May 4.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics won against the Orlando Magic in Game 5, the Knicks won against Detroit in Game 6, and the Pacers won against the Bucks in a dramatic overtime finish in Game 5.
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder destroyed the Memphis Grizzlies, the Denver Nuggets won against the LA Clippers in Game 7, the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Lakers in five, and the Golden State Warriors won against the Rockets in Game 7.
On May 22, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) was announced this year's KIA MVP. Hamber’s NBA fans are divided on whether SGA truly deserved the award. Some called him a “free throw merchant,” while others said he had worked hard on the court and showed excellent performances. Liu and Pinto agreed he deserved the award, while Estevez was unsure.
“I think the only reason Shai won MVP was because they didn’t want Jokic winning MVP all the time, and needed a replacement,” said Estevez. “The numbers Shai put up this season were impressive but [...] Jokic averaging three triple doubles just wins it all.”
The conference semifinals took place from May 4 to May 18. In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers beat the Cavaliers in game five, and the Knicks defeated Boston, leading to huge celebrations in New York City.
In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Nuggets in seven, and the Timberwolves beat the Warriors in game five. The Warriors' star player, Stephen Curry, was injured and couldn’t play after game one. The conference finals started up soon after, and four teams remained: the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Indiana Pacers, and the New York Knicks.
The Thunder won against Minnesota in Game 5, and the Pacers knocked out the Knicks in Game 5, setting up the 2025 NBA finals matchup between Oklahoma and Indiana.
“Pacers are going to win the finals, but it won’t be easy for them,” says Estevez, who thinks they might force a Game 7. On the other hand, Liu and Pinto believe the Thunder will come through.
Game 1 in Oklahoma City ended with the Pacers shocking the Thunder with a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback and a 0.3-second buzzer-beater from Tyrese Haliburton, the latest game-winning jumper in Finals history. The 111–110 outcome that stunned the home crowd.
The Washington Post emphasized how this clutch shot capped another Indiana win, the fourth this postseason where the team trailed with less than three minutes to go and pulled off a victory. Game 2 swung back in Oklahoma’s favour — they had home-court advantage and destroyed the Pacers with a 123–107 victory. This was largely due to another explosive 34 points from SGA, who now holds the record for most combined points in a player's first two finals games, surpassing Allen Iverson’s record.
During a post-game interview, the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton had minor leg discomfort heading into Game 3, but said he’d "push through," a sentiment echoed by his coach, Rick Carlisle.
In Game 3, the Pacers were trailing during the first quarter, but a 40-point second quarter set them up with a 4-point lead at halftime. The Pacers played strong for the rest of the game until the beginning of the fourth quarter, when the Thunder got a 5-point lead.
Halfway through the quarter, the game swung back in the Pacers’ favour and they took Game 3, winning by nine points in a 107–116 outcome. Leading up to Game 4, stats on the NBA app projected a 35 per cent chance of the Thunder winning and a 65 per cent chance of victory for the Pacers, based on fans’ in-app predictions.
The Thunder ended up winning 111–104, leaving the series tied at 2–2. Whether Oklahoma is crowned champion or the underdog, the Pacers, pull through, both teams have already played record-breaking basketball.