The NBA postseason is already off to an exciting start.
We`ve witnessed five out of the eight initial series knotted up after the first two games. Standout performances have come from seasoned playoff veterans, including former champions Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard, alongside rising young talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cade Cunningham.
This sets the stage for a compelling second weekend of playoff action, with games scheduled Friday and all eight series continuing over Saturday and Sunday. Some teams face the possibility of being swept if they can`t secure a victory.
Let`s take a look at the current status of each first-round series and key factors to monitor as teams vie for a spot in the conference semifinals.
Pacers vs. Bucks: How Much More Can Giannis Provide?
No. 4 Indiana leads No. 5 Milwaukee, 2-0
Giannis Antetokounmpo has delivered extraordinary production through the first two games, averaging 35 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1.5 blocks on 65% shooting. Despite these stellar numbers, the Milwaukee Bucks have been outscored by 29 points during his 38 minutes on the court in the series so far. With the series moving to Milwaukee for Game 3, optimism is low regarding the Bucks` chances of making a comeback.
When asked about Milwaukee`s prospects, one NBA executive was direct: “I really don`t see it… Giannis has been incredible, and it still hasn`t been close.”
In their Game 2 loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Bucks couldn`t capitalize on Antetokounmpo`s performance or Bobby Portis`s efficient 28 points off the bench. Damian Lillard returned after a month-long absence due to a health concern, but it wasn`t enough for Milwaukee to do more than briefly cut into a large deficit late in the game.
It appears difficult for the Bucks to either sufficiently slow down the Pacers defensively or match their offensive pace, especially with their current lineups. This has led to discussions about possibly benching Kyle Kuzma, who has struggled significantly in the first two games (including one where he played over 20 minutes without a single point, rebound, assist, steal, or block) in favor of a shooter like Gary Trent Jr. or AJ Green.
“Keeping Kuzma off the ball isn`t working,” a scout noted. “Either bring him off the bench to handle the ball when Giannis is resting and start someone like Green, or simply don`t play him.”
Knicks vs. Pistons: A Gritty, Hard-Fought Battle Continues
No. 3 New York leads No. 6 Detroit, 2-1
Following two consecutive second-round exits, the Knicks made significant offseason trades, acquiring Mikal Bridges and swapping Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo for Karl-Anthony Towns, aiming to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000. However, their initial series against the Detroit Pistons hasn`t provided a clear indication that they will easily advance.
“I`ve been questioning all season if [the Knicks] are a true second-round caliber team, meaning one that shouldn`t lose in the first round,” an executive commented. This sentiment was expressed when the series was tied before New York showed a more balanced offensive attack in their Game 3 win. This seemed to be a deliberate adjustment after relying heavily on Jalen Brunson in the Game 2 loss, where Towns didn`t attempt a shot in the fourth quarter.
“Jalen hunting fouls and dominating the ball has become a problem,” a West scout observed. “There are limits to what you can achieve with that approach. It`s effective for winning many regular-season games, but it`s a huge burden during heavy playoff minutes when defenses adjust and focus on him. KAT and [OG Anunoby] need to play a bigger role, which is difficult when Brunson controls the ball so much.”
The Pistons` size and length, particularly from second-year wing Ausar Thompson, also pose challenges, despite Thompson fouling out in Game 2. “I`m not sure Thompson fully understands what he`s doing yet,” an East scout remarked with a chuckle, “but he`s a naturally gifted defender.”
Are There Any Concerns for the Cavaliers or Celtics?
No. 1 Cleveland leads No. 8 Miami, 2-0
No. 2 Boston leads No. 7 Orlando, 2-0
The series featuring the top two seeds in the East have unfolded largely as expected.
In the Boston Celtics-Orlando Magic series, the primary concern is Jayson Tatum`s health. He missed Game 2 with a bone bruise in his shooting wrist and is expected to miss Game 3 as well. However, the Celtics can rely on Jaylen Brown, who also dealt with a knee bone bruise late in the season. Brown delivered a strong performance in Game 2, scoring 36 points on efficient shooting.
“Orlando isn`t strong enough,” a scout stated. “They simply need more offense and improved shooting.”
Although the Miami Heat have shown competitive spirit in the first two games, the Cleveland Cavaliers` superior overall scoring power has been too much to handle. Miami needs all three of their top players to perform well to have a chance, but Bam Adebayo struggled in Game 2, and Andrew Wiggins was absent from the court in the fourth quarter.
Despite scoring 33 points in Game 2, Tyler Herro has been consistently targeted by the Cavaliers` offense, providing Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Ty Jerome with an exploitable matchup.
“Cleveland is clearly the better team,” a scout concluded. “Their depth is impressive, [Evan] Mobley is fantastic… Their depth will overwhelm Miami. Credit to the Heat for competing, but they lack sufficient offensive firepower. Too many hesitant shooters.”
Nuggets vs. Clippers: Has Peak Kawhi Returned?
No. 4 LA leads No. 5 Denver, 2-1
Based on conversations with various insiders over the past few days, two points resonate universally about the Denver Nuggets-LA Clippers series: it`s been an amazing series to watch, and Kawhi Leonard is still performing at an elite level.
“Clippers-Nuggets has been everything we hoped for,” an Eastern Conference executive commented. “And it`s why people have significant belief in Kawhi. If injuries don`t sideline him, he is truly, truly exceptional.”
The “shoe dropping” refers, of course, to the potential for Leonard to be sidelined by injury, something that has happened numerous times during his Clippers tenure, including in past playoffs. However, the version of Leonard seen this season rivals his best past forms, including the one that led the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship, making the Clippers a highly dangerous team in these playoffs.
Through three games, the Clippers have appeared to be the superior squad, highlighted by their impressive Game 3 victory over Denver in the first-ever playoff game held at the Intuit Dome.
“The longer that series goes, the more it favors Denver,” a scout suggested, referring to the potential injury factor for Leonard. “But those games have been sensational.”
Denver, however, is also dealing with injury concerns. The Nuggets are not a deep team and have faced injuries to Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon during the regular season. Now, Michael Porter Jr.`s shoulder issue could impact his availability.
“Denver just looks physically worn down,” the executive added. “They are a thin roster, and their key players have missed time.”
Insiders generally agree that this has been the most captivating matchup of the initial playoff rounds and feels more like a conference semifinals series than a first-round contest.
“These teams are going to exhaust each other just to get out of Round 1,” a West executive concluded.
Rockets vs. Warriors: Will Butler`s Health Decide the Series?
No. 2 Houston tied with No. 7 Golden State, 1-1
As this series moves to San Francisco for Game 3, the key question revolves around the availability of Jimmy Butler III for the Golden State Warriors, who suffered a pelvic contusion from a hard fall in Game 2. Reports indicate Butler was diagnosed with a deep glute muscle contusion and his status for Game 3 is highly uncertain.
“I expected Houston to bounce back and thought they`d dominate [the Warriors] after Jimmy went out,” a West scout admitted. “But they just don`t score enough. They won`t build a significant lead on anyone.”
This series, as noted by TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy, resembles the physical, hard-fought games of the 1990s more than today`s faster, space-oriented style. Every play is a battle for contested space, marked by physicality and notable interactions like Draymond Green clashing with Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet.
Golden State`s Game 1 win suggested that if their stars perform well, and if Butler isn`t sidelined for long, the Warriors possess an offensive gear that Houston, with many players in their first playoff appearance, cannot match.
“They play hard and defend well,” an executive commented on Houston, “but their offense isn`t ready.”
A factor potentially favoring the Warriors is the three-day break between Games 2 and 3, which could give Butler enough recovery time to play and help Golden State maintain home-court advantage.
Lakers vs. Timberwolves: A Talented Yet Unpredictable Series
No. 3 Los Angeles tied with No. 6 Minnesota, 1-1
This series has lived up to its billing as one of the most compelling matchups of the first round. The Minnesota Timberwolves took control in Game 1, only for the Los Angeles Lakers to reverse the script in Game 2, leaving neither team with a clear advantage heading into Game 3.
The first two games showcased the full spectrum of the Timberwolves. In Game 1, Anthony Edwards shot poorly but played disciplined basketball (nine assists, one turnover), helping Minnesota secure a decisive victory. In Game 2, Edwards had zero assists, and the team recorded only 14 assists in total (well below their season average of 26.1), appearing sluggish throughout.
“Minnesota might be the most complete team in the West aside from Oklahoma City,” an NBA scout observed, “but they lack consistency. They are young, athletic, dynamic, with positional versatility… but I struggle with them, and their offense is an issue when it shouldn`t be.”
The Lakers also faced their own issues in the initial games. Their defensive effort was lacking in Game 1 but improved in Game 2. While LeBron James contributed to the defensive improvement in Game 2, he and Austin Reaves haven`t performed at their regular-season level. The experiment of starting Jaxson Hayes at center has been challenging.
However, the Lakers arguably possess the series` best player in Luka Doncic. Despite getting somewhat sidetracked by trying to highlight Rudy Gobert in the second half of Game 2, Doncic averaged 34 points and made 19 of 20 free throws over the first two contests. As long as he maintains this level of play, the Lakers feel confident in their chances.
“The Lakers have the best player,” an NBA executive stated. “In a tight series like this, that often becomes the deciding factor.”
Thunder vs. Grizzlies: A Collapse Signaling the End
No. 1 OKC leads No. 8 Memphis, 3-0
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had an impressive start, dominating the first three games with ease, even as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander began the series with uncharacteristic shooting struggles (33.3% through the first two games after shooting nearly 52% in the regular season).
“I`m feeling good about my prediction of OKC winning,” a West executive remarked.
Through two games, the Thunder performed like a perfectly functioning machine. Oklahoma City came close to setting an NBA playoff record with a 51-point rout of the Grizzlies in Game 1, followed by another comfortable win in Game 2. As the series moved to Memphis for Game 3, it seemed all but over.
However, Game 3 presented a truly peculiar 48 minutes. Memphis controlled the first half, with Scotty Pippen Jr. hitting more three-pointers (five) than the entire Thunder team in the half (four), building a 26-point halftime lead. But after Ja Morant took a bad fall late in the first half, Memphis fell apart. The Grizzlies scored only 31 points after halftime, while the Thunder mounted an incredible comeback, setting an NBA record for a victory after trailing by so much. The Grizzlies completely imploded, failing to score at all in the final 4:51 of the game.
“That`s a devastating loss,” one executive commented.
“I sympathize with the Grizzlies,” another added. “That one truly hurts.”
That fourth-quarter collapse highlighted the impact of Alex Caruso, the defensive specialist acquired in the trade for Josh Giddey last summer – a trade where, remarkably, the Chicago Bulls didn`t receive a single draft pick. In that fourth quarter, Caruso tallied three steals, a block, and five points, crucially shifting the game in Oklahoma City`s favor.
Now, the only uncertainty is whether the Grizzlies can force the series back to Oklahoma City for a fifth game. Failure to do so would send Memphis into an offseason filled with significant questions about the team`s direction, following the late-season collapse, the dismissal of coach Taylor Jenkins, and the disappointing outcome of this series.
