First round action of the NBA playoffs continues this week

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets 103 to 89 Sunday (May 4) taking the series 4-3. Here’s where we stand after May 4th games:

◾ The Nuggets advance to the Western Conference semi-finals after defeating the Clippers 4-3 in the series. They will face the Oklahoma City Thunder who were the only team to finish in the top three in defensive rating (first) and offensive (third). The Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 in the series.

â—¾ The New York Knicks will advance to the Eastern conference semi-finals after defeating the Detroit Pistons 4-2. They will face the Boston Celtics who defeated the Orlando Magic 4-1

â—¾ The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 and will advance to the Western Conference semi-finals to face the Golden State Warriors.

◾ The Cleveland Cavaliers who have the NBA’s top offensive rating, scoring 121.0 points per 100 possessions have advanced to the Eastern Conference semi-finals. As too have the Indiana Pacers who will face the Cavs with games scheduled to begin May 4.

See our story on round 2 of the NBA Playoffs here.

Here’s a look at the 2025 NBA playoff bracket2025 NBA playoffs first round schedule

* = if necessary

Thunder (1) defeat (8) GrizzliesGame 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108Game 4:Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115Warriors (7) defeat Rockets (2)Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106Game 5: Rockets131, Warriors 116Game 6: Rockets 115, Warriors 107Game 7: Warriors 103, Rockets 89Timberwolves (6) defeat Lakers (3)Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113Game 5: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96Nuggets defeat Clippers (5)Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110Game 2: Clippers 105, Nuggets 102Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83Game 4: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99Game 5: Nuggets 131, Clippers 115Game 6: Clippers 111, Nuggets 105Game 7: Nuggets 120, Clippers 101Cavaliers (1) defeat HeatGame 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100Game 2: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87Game 4: Cavaliers 138, Heat 83Celtics (2) defeat MagicGame 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86Game 2: Celtics 109, Magic 100Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93Game 4: Celtics 107, Magic 98Game 5: Celtics 120, Magic 89Knicks (3) defeat PistonsGame 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93Game 5: Pistons 106, Knicks 103Game 6: Knicks 116, Pistons 113Pacers (4) defeat Bucks (5)Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98Game 2: Pacers 123, Bucks 115Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101Game 4: Pacers 129, Bucks 98Game 5: Pacers 119, Bucks 118

Contributing: Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY