THE bracket is set. The hype is real. For basketball fans across the globe and right here in Davao, the most electrifying time of the NBA season is about to begin. The 2025 NBA Playoffs officially tip-off on April 19, but first, the SoFi Play-In Tournament will set the tone for a postseason packed with promise and pressure.
Let’s take a look at the road ahead.
In the West:
(9) Sacramento Kings vs (10) Dallas Mavericks
(7) Golden State Warriors vs (8) Memphis Grizzlies
The Kings and Mavs are fighting to extend their seasons, while the Warriors—still fueled by Steph Curry’s twilight brilliance—take on the explosive Grizzlies. The 7-8 matchup winner claims the 7th seed, while the loser fights for their life against the 9-10 winner.
In the East:
(9) Chicago Bulls vs (10) Miami Heat
(7) Orlando Magic vs (8) Atlanta Hawks
The Magic are back in the conversation and will try to fend off the streaky Hawks. Meanwhile, the Heat, battle-tested and playoff-hardened, clash with the Bulls for a final shot at survival.
West playoff matchups (so far)
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs TBD
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) LA Clippers
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(2) Houston Rockets vs TBD
OKC’s youth revolution is no fluke; they’ve earned the top seed. Denver faces a gritty Clippers squad. The Lakers and Wolves series promises fireworks, while the surging Rockets return to playoff contention with something to prove.
East playoff matchups (so far)
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs TBD
(4) Indiana Pacers vs (5) Milwaukee Bucks
(3) New York Knicks vs (6) Detroit Pistons
(2) Boston Celtics vs TBD
Cleveland sits atop the East with their firepower and rising stars. The Pacers and Bucks are evenly matched, while the Knicks aim to out-muscle the Pistons. With their eyes set on Banner 19, the Celtics await their next challenger.
With new blood at the top—OKC and Cleveland—and perennial contenders like the Lakers, Celtics, Nuggets, and Heat still in the mix, the 2025 playoffs are a beautiful blend of change and continuity.
So, as the NBA lights up the hardwood with its best, we keep our eyes on the screen and our hearts on the game.
Because in basketball, as in life, it’s always Game On.