The NBA playoffs are back, and this season promises another exciting chapter in a streak of unexpected champions. Over the last six seasons, the league has seen a different team take the crown each year: Toronto in 2019, the Lakers in 2020, Milwaukee in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Denver in 2023, and Boston in 2024. Now, Boston looks to break the trend by winning back-to-back championships, something no team has done since Golden State’s titles in 2017 and 2018.
The playoffs kick off with eight Game 1s, four on Saturday and four more on Sunday. The 16-team journey begins, and for many players, this is the most exciting time of the year. Golden State coach Steve Kerr called it “the best time of the year.”
This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites to win. With a historic 68-win season, the Thunder are the top overall seed and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. They’ve been dominant, setting a record by outscoring teams by an average of 12.9 points per game. The Cleveland Cavaliers, with 64 wins, are the No. 1 seed in the East and the second-best regular season in franchise history.
Oklahoma City hasn’t been to the NBA Finals since 2012, and the Cavaliers haven’t been there since LeBron James’ second stint with the team ended in 2018. Parity has been a hallmark of the NBA in recent seasons, with nine teams making at least one Finals appearance in the last six years, showing how unpredictable the league has become. Both the Thunder and the Cavaliers are eager to add to that list.
“We’re excited,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “We’ve earned the opportunity to be here, and we’re looking forward to competing on the biggest stage.”
Despite their strong season, Cleveland isn’t even the favorite in the East. Boston, the defending champions, are seen as the top pick to make it to the Finals. Cleveland, however, is using this as motivation. Coach Kenny Atkinson described the team as “humble and hungry,” and believes that their desire to prove the doubters wrong will be key to their success.
Other teams in the playoffs include the Lakers, Warriors, Bucks, and Nuggets—all of which have former MVPs and past champions looking to make another title run. “We’re not defending a championship,” said Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. “We won last year, and nobody can take that from us, but we’re focused on this season now.”
In the Eastern Conference, Boston will face Orlando, New York will take on Detroit, Indiana will face Milwaukee, and Cleveland will meet Miami. In the West, Oklahoma City will face Memphis, Houston will meet Golden State, the Lakers will play Minnesota, and Denver will battle the Los Angeles Clippers. The Heat and Grizzlies secured the last two spots after play-in victories, and Dallas, who made the Finals last year, will not return after a loss in the final play-in game.
The playoffs also feature several intriguing storylines. LeBron James and Stephen Curry, both with four championships, are aiming for a fifth. The Lakers bolstered their roster with the addition of Luka Doncic, while Curry’s Warriors added Jimmy Butler. The Timberwolves are looking to build on a surprise deep playoff run last year, and the Pacers are looking to upset Milwaukee in a rematch from last season’s playoffs.
Denver is aiming for its second title in three years, now under interim head coach David Adelman. The Nuggets will face a tough test from the Clippers, led by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Detroit, back in the playoffs after a long absence, is hoping to end its 14-game postseason losing streak that dates back to 2008. Houston, back in the field after a five-year playoff drought, is riding high after securing the No. 2 seed in the West.
As the favorites for the title, Oklahoma City and Cleveland, along with the Celtics, all have 60-plus win seasons to back their championship aspirations. The Lakers, Warriors, and Nuggets all have strong reasons for confidence, while the Timberwolves and Pacers could surprise.
Once again, parity is at the forefront, and as Stephen Curry put it, “We have something to look forward to now. And I’m excited about the challenge.”