As the 2025 NBA playoffs barrel toward their thrilling climax, four franchises — the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder — stand just one step away from basketball immortality. From early upsets to breakout stars, these Conference Finals aren’t just a battle of tactics and talent, but a clash of evolving legacies and long-awaited redemption arcs. Here’s a detailed look at how each team got here, what to expect in each series, and the high-stakes matchups that could define this year’s road to the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Eastern Conference: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks
Indiana’s Redemption Tou
After their somewhat questioned run to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers have returned with more grit, consistency, and a chip on their shoulder. Despite starting the season 16-18, the Pacers turned things around dramatically, going 42-16 since January. Their playoff path saw them eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks and stun the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers — both in just five games — despite being underdogs in each series.
This year’s surge has been fueled by Tyrese Haliburton, who leads the playoffs with 9.3 assists per game while adding clutch shooting and floor leadership. His performance, paired with Indiana’s depth — especially in the absence of key players on opposing teams like Damian Lillard and Evan Mobley — has helped them solidify their case as a legitimate Finals contender. The Pacers are executing with cohesion and speed, living up to their reputation as the NBA’s most effective transition offense.
Knicks’ Grit Against the Odds
The New York Knicks’ journey to the Conference Finals has been improbable but inspiring. Though their regular-season record against top teams was abysmal — 0-8 against the Cavs and Celtics — the Knicks have found new life in the postseason. Their victory over the defending champion Celtics marked a significant turning point, driven by their relentless effort and the rebounding prowess of Mitchell Robinson, who returned midseason after a long injury layoff.
What’s especially striking is how this new-look Knicks team has gelled at the right moment. While trades for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns reduced their depth, it’s given the starting five a new edge. However, their biggest challenge might be consistency. Despite possessing the talent, New York’s starters have been outscored in the playoffs and have a troubling habit of falling behind early — something Indiana’s aggressive style could exploit.
Style Will Decide the Series
According to scouts and insiders, this matchup may come down to tempo. New York thrives in a half-court game led by Jalen Brunson, while Indiana overwhelms opponents by pushing the pace. The Pacers’ top lineup — Haliburton, Nembhard, Nesmith, Siakam, and Turner — boasts a staggering +22.1 net rating in the postseason, easily outpacing New York’s minus-4.7.
Defensively, the Knicks will rely on OG Anunoby and Bridges to slow down Indiana’s scorers, while Andrew Nembhard faces the tall task of containing Brunson — who torched him last year. Key bench matchups, like Robinson versus Thomas Bryant, could tilt games in New York’s favor, but overall, Indiana’s cohesion may prove too much unless the Knicks start faster and finish stronger.
Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Wolves on the Rise
For the first time in franchise history, the Minnesota Timberwolves are back in consecutive Conference Finals, and they’ve done so by fully embracing their underdog identity. Dismissing both the Lakers and Warriors in five games each, the Wolves have relied on a balanced mix of established stars and savvy newcomers. Anthony Edwards continues to shine as the team’s vocal leader and go-to scorer, but it’s the additions of Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo — acquired in a bold trade that sent Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks — that have changed the team’s playoff DNA.
Randle has delivered his best postseason performance to date, averaging nearly 24 points with high efficiency and strong playmaking. DiVincenzo, meanwhile, has added defensive versatility and bench scoring. While Minnesota started the season slow, they closed the regular season 17-4, peaking at exactly the right time. For a franchise long haunted by missed potential, this playoff run represents a moment of convergence between belief and execution.
Thunder Strikes with Defense and Depth
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been a juggernaut all season long. With a league-best 68 wins and a record-breaking +12.9 point differential, their formula has been simple yet dominant: elite defense, ball movement, and the MVP-worthy brilliance of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, the Thunder battled past the defending champion Denver Nuggets in seven games, thanks to clutch play from Gilgeous-Alexander and a resurgence from Jalen Williams in Game 7.
While SGA has cooled slightly from his regular-season efficiency, he has delivered in high-pressure moments, averaging nearly 31 points in the final four games of the Denver series. Williams, who had a rough stretch in Games 4–6, found his rhythm in the decisive Game 7, pouring in 24 points. But Oklahoma City’s real weapon may be their defense — the best in the league — which not only limits opponents but also fuels their transition game. The Thunder lead all playoff teams in points off turnovers, a stat that’s grown even stronger in the postseason.
Battle of Belief and Balance
Minnesota may carry the edge in veteran presence and postseason maturity, but Oklahoma City is younger, deeper, and tactically sharp. The Thunder’s ability to force turnovers and convert them into easy points may test the Timberwolves’ half-court execution. Matchups to watch include Rudy Gobert anchoring the paint against Chet Holmgren, and Edwards versus Lu Dort, one of the league’s most disruptive perimeter defenders.
The Thunder have proven all year that they can dominate in multiple ways, but the Wolves, led by an increasingly vocal and confident Anthony Edwards, are chasing more than history — they’re chasing respect. As Edwards put it after eliminating Golden State: “There is no satisfaction. We haven’t done anything yet.”
Eyes on the Prize
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs barrel toward the Finals, the stage is set for two series full of contrasting styles, rising stars, and high-stakes basketball. Whether it’s Indiana’s speed, New York’s grit, Minnesota’s resurgence, or Oklahoma City’s defensive dynasty, these four teams have one goal in mind — raising the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. Only two will remain standing. Let the battles begin.
