The 2025 NBA Playoffs continue on Thursday, May 29, with Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden, aiming to stave off elimination and extend the series.
Before previewing tonight’s game, here’s a recap of Wednesday’s action and an updated look at the playoff bracket.
Updated 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012 with a 124–94 blowout victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
The Thunder await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Pacers. The 2025 NBA Finals are set to start on June 5 at 8:30 PM in Oklahoma City.
Here’s the latest 2025 NBA Playoff bracket after Wednesday’s Game 5:
The updated 2025 NBA Playoffs bracket after Thursday’s Thunder-Timberwolves Game 5.
Wednesday, May 28 – Game 5 Recap
Oklahoma City Thunder 124, Minnesota Timberwolves 94
Thunder win Western Conference Finals series 4–1
The Thunder controlled Game 5 from start to finish, closing the first quarter with a commanding 26–9 lead. Oklahoma City shot nearly 50% from the field in the opening frame, while Minnesota hit just 15%. Only two Timberwolves players scored in the first 12 minutes: Anthony Edwards with six points and Julius Randle with three.
While Randle finished with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting, his four turnovers hurt Minnesota in key stretches. Edwards struggled once again with efficiency, scoring 19 points on 39% shooting and going just 1-of-7 from deep. Many of his makes came on highly contested long-range shots.
Bench players Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in 11 points each, but Minnesota got just seven total points from its three other starters not named Edwards or Randle. Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, and Mike Conley failed to make an offensive impact.
Oklahoma City, on the other hand, was clicking on all cylinders. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 34 points, Chet Holmgren added 22, and Jalen Williams contributed 19. The Thunder’s relentless ball pressure forced 21 turnovers — including 14 steals.
The season ends in disappointment for the Timberwolves, who looked like title contenders just two weeks ago. Roster questions loom: Randle and Reid hold player options, Alexander-Walker hits free agency, and Gobert continues to offer little on offense.
Meanwhile, McDaniels’ offensive inconsistency has made his $131 million extension a tough pill to swallow.
Thursday, May 29 – Game 5 Preview
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
Pacers lead Eastern Conference Finals series 3–1
The Knicks return home to the Garden, facing elimination after a 116–103 loss to the Pacers in Game 4. The game was a disaster on both ends — and there was no fourth-quarter magic this time around.
New York allowed 43 points in the first quarter and never fully recovered. They made a push late, cutting the lead to six, but unforced errors — including missed open looks by Mikal Bridges and turnovers by Josh Hart — killed the momentum. Hart finished with five turnovers, part of a team total of 17 that led to 22 Pacer fast-break points.
Despite 30 points from Jalen Brunson and 24 from Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks got very little in crunch time. Both stars faded late, providing little offense in the final quarter.
Tonight will be Brunson’s greatest test as the Knicks’ captain. He carried them through the first round, but has since shown his fallibility not just on the defensive end, but also on offense, with the team’s ball movement stagnating under Indiana’s pressure.
Towns is a game-time decision for tonight after suffering a left knee contusion on Tuesday. Without him, the Knicks will lose the offensive firepower necessary to stand a chance against the Pacers. Their defense may improve. Towns has been abysmal in coverage and prone to making inexplicable fouls. But if he’s out, their depth in the frontcourt diminishes, and Mitchell Robinson will have to stay out of foul trouble.
As for the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton has made the case that he’s actually underrated as a player. He’s coming off a historic triple-double: 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds — without committing a single turnover.
Haliburton may be the MVP of this series, but Indiana would not be where they are without Pascal Siakam, who has tormented New York in the paint and on mid-range shots.
The Pacers are just a win away from their first Finals appearance since 2000. For New York, the drought is just one year longer.
Both teams are thirsty. But Indiana is further along the road. If Towns is in the lineup and his knee isn’t an issue, then expect New York to scrape together a win tonight, before falling in Game 6 in Indiana.
If Towns is out, then this game — and the series — goes to the Pacers.
Game Prediction: Knicks win by 4, if Towns is in. Pacers win by 11 if Towns is out.
Series Prediction: Pacers in 5 (if Towns is out for Game 5). Pacers in 6 (if Towns plays in Game 5).
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: TNT
Streaming: Max, TNT app