Honestly, looking back at the 2024-25 season, it feels like a fever dream. If you had told me in October that we’d see a Game 7 in the Finals between Oklahoma City and Indiana, I’d have probably asked if you were watching a simulation. But that is exactly how the 2025 NBA playoff bracket shook out. It wasn't just about the seeds or the matchups; it was about a total changing of the guard that left the old dynasties in the rearview mirror.
The Chaos of the 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket
The Western Conference was a bloodbath from day one. Oklahoma City entered as the heavy favorites with a staggering 68-14 record. That’s historic. They didn't just win games; they suffocated teams with a defense led by Chet Holmgren and Lu Dort. When the first round started on April 19, the Thunder swept the Memphis Grizzlies like it was a light Tuesday practice.
But the bracket had traps everywhere.
The Houston Rockets, sitting at the #2 seed, got bounced early by a vintage Stephen Curry performance. The Golden State Warriors proved that "old" is a relative term, taking that series in seven grueling games. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by the ageless LeBron James and a surging Luka Dončić (remember that blockbuster trade?), couldn't get past Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Western Conference Rundown
The semifinals were where things got weird. OKC faced the Denver Nuggets in a series that felt like the "real" Finals. Nikola Jokić was doing Jokić things, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was just... inevitable. That series went to seven games, ending with a 125-93 blowout in Game 7 that sent Denver home. On the other side, Minnesota handled the Warriors in five games.
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By the time we hit the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder looked unstoppable. They dismantled the Wolves 4-1, with SGA averaging over 30 points a game. It felt like a foregone conclusion.
The Eastern Conference Shockers
Over in the East, the 2025 NBA playoff bracket looked like a clear path for the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Boston Celtics. Cleveland had the top seed with 64 wins. Donovan Mitchell was playing the best basketball of his life. But the Indiana Pacers, the #4 seed, had other plans.
Indiana’s run was pure insanity. They beat the Milwaukee Bucks in five. Then, they faced the top-seeded Cavs. Most experts—myself included—thought the Cavs would roll. Instead, Tyrese Haliburton turned into a wizard, and Pascal Siakam reminded everyone why he’s a champion. Indiana took that series 4-1.
The Knicks-Celtics War
While Indiana was upsetting the top seed, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics were beating each other up. This series was physical. It was ugly. It was beautiful. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns (who fit in New York better than anyone expected) outlasted the defending champ Celtics in six games.
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The Eastern Conference Finals then gave us Pacers vs. Knicks. Indiana won Game 1 in overtime, 138-135. They eventually took the series 4-2, setting up a Finals matchup that literally no one predicted when the brackets were first filled out.
The Finals: A Game 7 for the Ages
The Thunder entered the Finals as the biggest betting favorites in decades. The win difference between them and the Pacers was 18 games. That's a massive gap. But Indiana didn't care about the stats. They stole Game 1 in OKC, 111-110, thanks to a Tyrese Haliburton jumper.
The series see-sawed back and forth.
- Game 2: Thunder roll.
- Game 3: Pacers protect home court.
- Game 4: OKC steals one back.
- Game 5: Thunder take the lead.
- Game 6: Pacers force the first Game 7 in the Finals since 2016.
The Heartbreak and the Glory
Game 7 was bittersweet. Tyrese Haliburton, who had been the engine for Indiana, went down with a non-contact Achilles injury in the first quarter. You could hear a pin drop in the arena. Even without their star, the Pacers led at halftime. They have so much grit. But in the second half, the Thunder's depth was too much.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 29 points and 12 assists. He won the Finals MVP to go along with his regular-season MVP. The Thunder won 103-91, clinching their first title since the move from Seattle. It was a masterpiece of team building and patience.
What This Means for Your 2026 Predictions
If the 2025 NBA playoff bracket taught us anything, it's that regular-season dominance doesn't always mean a smooth postseason. OKC had to sweat through two seven-game series. Indiana proved that a fast-paced, high-octane offense can disrupt even the most disciplined defenses.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Haliburton’s injury changed the trajectory of the Finals. For 2026, depth is going to be more important than ever.
- Monitor the Sophomore Jumps: Keep an eye on the 2025 draft picks like Cooper Flagg. Young stars are impacting the bracket earlier than they used to.
- Respect the "Small" Markets: OKC and Indiana just proved you don't need a New York or LA zip code to dominate the narrative.
- Evaluate Defensive Versatility: The Thunder's ability to switch everything was the ultimate trump card. Look for teams mimicking their roster construction this offseason.
The league is younger, faster, and more unpredictable than it’s been in twenty years. Don't get too attached to the names on the back of the jerseys; look at the systems and the chemistry. That's where the next champion is hiding.