NBA Playoffs 2025: Cavaliers and Celtics Trail 0-2, Nuggets and Warriors Secure Key Road Wins

In the 2025 NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are trailing 0-2 after losing home games to the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, respectively. In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors secured road wins against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Cavaliers and Celtics face challenges due to injuries and late-game collapses, while the Nuggets and Warriors have gained momentum. All Game 1s were won by road teams, highlighting the unpredictability of this year's playoffs.

Cavaliers Stunned at Home by Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished the regular season with a league-best 64-18 record, now find themselves in a 0-2 hole against the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers. Despite sweeping the Miami Heat in the first round, the Cavaliers have struggled to contain Indiana’s offensive firepower and have been hampered by key injuries.

In Game 1 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Pacers pulled off a 121-112 win behind a balanced scoring effort. Game 2 was even more dramatic, as Indiana erased a 20-point deficit to edge Cleveland 120-119. The Cavaliers were without All-Stars Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, as well as key reserve De’Andre Hunter, all sidelined due to injuries. Jarrett Allen has been a steady presence, but the undermanned Cavs have lacked the depth to close out games.

The series now shifts to Indiana for Games 3 and 4, with Game 3 scheduled for Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, and Game 4 on Sunday, May 11 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

Celtics Collapse Twice Against Knicks

The second-seeded Boston Celtics, fresh off a 4-1 series win over the Orlando Magic, have suffered back-to-back collapses at TD Garden against the third-seeded New York Knicks. In both games, Boston built 20-point leads only to see them evaporate in the fourth quarter.

Game 1 ended in overtime with the Knicks prevailing 108-105, capped by a clutch defensive stop from Mikal Bridges. Game 2 followed a similar script, with the Celtics again squandering a sizable lead and falling 91-90. Jayson Tatum’s final possession ended in a turnover, sealing the Knicks’ second straight comeback win.

Bridges was instrumental in both victories, scoring all 14 of his points in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and delivering key defensive plays. The Knicks now head home to Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 is set for Saturday, May 10 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Nuggets Respond After Game 1 Win in OKC

In the Western Conference, the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets opened their series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder with a thrilling 121-119 road win in Game 1. Aaron Gordon hit a go-ahead three-pointer with one second remaining to cap a late-game comeback and give Denver the early series lead.

However, the Thunder responded emphatically in Game 2. Behind a dominant performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 34 points on 11-of-13 shooting, Oklahoma City routed the Nuggets 149-106 at Paycom Center. The Thunder set a playoff record with 87 points in the first half and led by as many as 49 points.

The series is now tied 1-1 as it shifts to Ball Arena in Denver for Game 3 on Friday, May 9 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, followed by Game 4 on Sunday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Warriors Strike First in Minnesota

The Golden State Warriors, seeded seventh in the West, continued their postseason surge with a 114-108 road win over the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1. Despite being without Stephen Curry, who is sidelined with a strained hamstring, the Warriors leaned on veteran Buddy Hield and a cast of emerging contributors.

Hield, who scored 33 points in the first-round closeout against Houston, continued his strong play, while young players like Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer stepped up in key moments. The Warriors’ defense held Minnesota in check down the stretch, securing the win and flipping home-court advantage.

Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, May 9 in Minnesota, with the Warriors looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead before the series shifts to Chase Center in San Francisco.

Road Teams Dominate Game 1s

A rare trend has emerged in the 2025 Conference Semifinals: all four Game 1s were won by the road teams. The Pacers, Knicks, Nuggets, and Warriors each opened their series with victories away from home, a feat that underscores the parity and unpredictability of this year’s playoffs.

The Cavaliers and Celtics, both dominant during the regular season, now face uphill battles as they head on the road. Meanwhile, the Nuggets and Warriors have already seized momentum in their respective series, with the opportunity to build on their early success in front of their home crowds.

NBA Playoffs 2025: Cavaliers and Celtics Trail 0-2, Nuggets and Warriors Secure Key Road Wins

Key Updates

Donovan Mitchell Scores 43 Points as Cavaliers Beat Pacers 126-104 in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Semifinals

Cleveland Cavaliers Dominate Indiana Pacers 126-104 in Game 3 After Haliburton's Game 2 Buzzer-Beater

Warriors' Draymond Green Receives Fifth Technical Foul for Elbowing Timberwolves' Naz Reid in Game 2 Loss

Warriors' Draymond Green Challenges 'Angry Black Man' Stereotype After Fifth Playoff Technical Foul

Stephen Curry's Hamstring Strain Sidelines Him for Three Games in Warriors-Timberwolves Playoff Series

NBA Warns Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton for Celebration Dance After Game-Winning Shot Against Cavaliers