The stage is officially set in the Eastern Conference. The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers are ready to collide in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, beginning Wednesday, May 21. The Knicks will host Game 1 at Madison Square Garden after eliminating the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in a thrilling second-round series. This marks the Knicks’ first trip to the East finals since the year 2000.

The Pacers, on the other hand, return to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season. After knocking out the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana is once again eyeing its first NBA Finals appearance since 2000—when they famously beat the Knicks to get there. Interestingly, the Knicks haven’t won the East since 1999, when they defeated… the Pacers.

Meanwhile, the Western Conference Finals still hang in the balance. The Minnesota Timberwolves have secured their spot and are now awaiting the winner of Game 7 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets, scheduled for Sunday.

With both conference finals around the corner and the NBA Finals set to begin June 5, here’s a complete look at the 2025 playoff schedule and bracket.

 2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule (All times Eastern)

 Sunday, May 18

 Game 7: Thunder vs. Nuggets – 3:30 PM, ABC/fubo

 Tuesday, May 20

 Game 1: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo

 Wednesday, May 21

 Game 1: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

 Thursday, May 22

 Game 2: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo

 Friday, May 23

 Game 2: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

 Saturday, May 24

 Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets – 8:30 PM, ABC/fubo

 Sunday, May 25

 Game 3: Pacers vs. Knicks – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

 Monday, May 26

 Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo

 Tuesday, May 27

 Game 4: Pacers vs. Knicks – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

 Wednesday, May 28

 Game 5: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo

 Thursday, May 29

 Game 5: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

 Friday, May 30

 Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Thunder/Nuggets – 8:30 PM, ESPN/fubo

 Saturday, May 31

 Game 6: Pacers vs. Knicks – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

 Sunday, June 1

 Game 7: Thunder/Nuggets vs. Timberwolves – 8:00 PM, ESPN/fubo

 Monday, June 2

 Game 7: Knicks vs. Pacers – 8:00 PM, TNT/Max

= If necessary

 Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket

The Eastern side of the bracket is finalized, while the Western half awaits the result of the remaining Game 7. The full playoff field will soon be down to four.

 Key Dates to Remember – 2025 NBA Playoffs

 April 15–18: Play-In Tournament
 April 19: First Round Begins
 May 4: Start of Second Round
 May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
 May 20–21 (or May 18–19): Conference Finals Tip-Off
 June 5: 2025 NBA Finals Begin