2025 NBA post-season: scores and schedule

The 2025 NBA post-season is here, with the Play-In tournament starting on Tuesday and concluding on Friday, and first-round playoff series beginning on Saturday.

The Play-In format will start with games between the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in their respective conferences, with the winners advancing to face the No. 2 seeds in the first round. After that, the Nos. 9 and 10 teams will square off, with the winner of those games playing the losers of the 7-8 matchup for the opportunity to take on the No. 1 seeds in Round 1 of the playoffs.

There are a number of intriguing matchups to follow. The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies fell into the 7-8 Play-In matchup in a crowded West, the plucky Detroit Pistons look to punch above their weight against the New York Knicks, and the loaded Los Angeles Lakers – boasting the league’s newest superstar duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic – will take on Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder finished with the league’s best record, securing home-court advantage for as long as they remain in the playoffs.

PLAY-IN SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)

Tuesday, April 15

Game 1: Atlanta at Orlando, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Golden State at Memphis, 10 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16

Game 3: Miami at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Dallas at Sacramento, 10 p.m. (Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet+)

Friday, April 18

Game 5: Winner of Game 3 at Loser of Game 1, time TBD
Game 6: Winner of Game 4 at Loser of Game 1, time TBD

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Saturday, April 19

Milwaukee at Indiana, 1 p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Denver, 3:30 p.m.
Detroit at New York, 6 p.m.
Minnesota at Lakers, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 20

East No. 8 seed at Cleveland, time TBD
East No. 7 seed at Boston, time TBD
West No. 8 seed at Oklahoma City, time TBD
West No. 7 seed at Houston, time TBD