The NBA playoffs have reached the conference semifinals stage, promising fans an abundance of thrilling matchups following an electrifying start to the postseason.
In the Eastern Conference, the top-seeded Boston Celtics are set to clash with the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks, seeded second, will renew their historic rivalry against the sixth-seeded Indiana Pacers.
Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who secured the number one seed, will face off against the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks. In another compelling matchup, the defending NBA Finals champions, the Denver Nuggets, seeded second, will take on the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
Each series in the conference semifinals is contested in a best-of-7 format, with teams vying to advance to the next round. The playoff structure remains consistent throughout all rounds, maintaining a best-of-7 format without reseeding. Home-court advantage is determined by regular-season records, with the higher-seeded team hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if*), following a 2-2-1-1-1 format.
EASTERN CONFERENCE (if*)=if necessary
Boston Celtics (1) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (4)
| Game | Date | Location | Time | TV |
| 1 | Tuesday, May 7 | Boston | 7:00 p.m. | TNT |
| 2 | Thursday, May 9 | Boston | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| 3 | Saturday, May 11 | Cleveland | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 4 | Monday, May 13 | Cleveland | 7:00 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 (if*) | Wednesday, May 15 | Boston | TBD | TNT |
| 6 (if*) | Friday, May 17 | Cleveland | TBD | ESPN |
| 7 (if*) | Sunday, May 19 | Boston | TBD | TBD |
New York Knicks (2) vs. Indiana Pacers (6)
| Game | Date | Location | Time | TV |
| 1 | Monday, May 6 | New York | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 2 | Wednesday, May 8 | New York | 8:00 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Friday, May 10 | Indiana | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Sunday, May 12 | Indiana | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 5 (if*) | Tuesday, May 14 | New York | TBD | TNT |
| 6 (if*) | Friday, May 17 | Indiana | TBD | ESPN |
| 7 (if*) | Sunday, May 19 | New York | TBD | TBD |
WESTERN CONFERENCE (if*)=if necessary
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (5)
| Game | Date | Location | Time | TV |
| 1 | Tuesday, May 7 | Oklahoma City | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 2 | Thursday, May 9 | Oklahoma City | TBD | ESPN |
| 3 | Saturday, May 11 | Dallas | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| 4 | Monday, May 13 | Dallas | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 (if*) | Wednesday, May 15 | Oklahoma City | TBD | TNT |
| 6 (if*) | Saturday, May 18 | Dallas | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7 (if*) | Monday, May 20 | Oklahoma City | 8:30 p.m. | TNT |
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) vs. Denver Nuggets (2)
1-0
| Game | Date | Location | Time | TV |
| 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | Monday, May 6 | Denver | 10:00 p.m. | TNT |
| 3 | Friday, May 10 | Minnesota | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 4 | Sunday, May 12 | Minnesota | 8:00 p.m. | TNT |
| 5 (if*) | Tuesday, May 14 | Denver | TBD | TNT |
| 6 (if*) | Thursday, May 16 | Minnesota | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7 (if*) | Sunday, May 19 | Denver | TBD | TBD |
