The first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs has concluded and there was plenty of drama and thrilling finishes.
The Boston Celtics clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in March and have homecourt advantage through the entire postseason. After eliminating the No. 8 seed Miami Heat, the Celtics take on the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The Cavs eliminated the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic in the round's only series that went to seven games.
Meanwhile, the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers knocked out the No. 3 seed Milwaukee Bucks and the No. 2 seed New York Knicks defeated the No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers in a exciting six-game series. That sets up a second round clash between the Pacers and Knicks.
In the West, the No. 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves became the first team to reach the second round, sweeping the No. 6 seed Phoenix Suns and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder swept the No. 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans. The No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets defeated the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Lakers in five games and are set to face the Timberwolves in the second round. The Thunder take on the No. 5 seed Dallas Mavericks, who eliminated the No. 4 seed LA Clippers.
After the play-in tournament, the 16-team NBA playoffs began with four games on April 20 and four more on April 21. Eight teams from each conference reach the first round and face off in a best-of-7 series to advance. All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-7, and teams are not reseeded after each round. The team with the better regular-season record in each series will have homecourt advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the better record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary).
We'll have complete coverage of the NBA playoffs all the way through the 2024 NBA Finals, which tip off on June 6 on ABC and the ESPN app.
MORE: Previewing every playoff team |
Offseason guides
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Celtics (1) defeat the Miami Heat (8), 4-1
Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84
The Celtics finish out the series vs. the Heat in emphatic fashion, sending Miami home with a decisive win in Game 5.
Celtics close out Heat in Game 5 rout, advance to East semis
Kristaps Porzingis (calf strain) out; could miss several games
New York Knicks (2) defeat the Philadelphia 76ers (7), 4-2
Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT)
Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115
Jalen Brunson's 41 points wills the Knicks to a 118-115 Game 6 victory to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Bontemps: Embiid's health and the supporting cast remain 76ers major questions
Brunson, Hart heroics lift Knicks by Sixers in 6, into East semis
Herring: How Brunson's ruthless old-man game is driving the Knicks
Indiana Pacers (6) defeat the Milwaukee Bucks (3), 4-2
Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT)
Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92
Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98
The Indiana Pacers make light work of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6, winning 120-98 to move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Collier: How a big trade, coaching changes delivered yet another Bucks early exit
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Tried best but wasn't close to playing in series
Patrick Beverley vows to 'be better' after fan, media spats after Game 6 loss
'Frustrating': Damian Lillard laments Bucks' injuries after playoff exit
Bench players Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell lead Pacers into semis
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) defeat the Orlando Magic (5), 4-3
Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic, 86
Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96
Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94
Cole Anthony loses Max Strus with a filthy spin move before somehow getting a tough layup to fall.
Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers storm back, oust Magic in Game 7
Andrews: Chippy, physical play fueling Orlando's postseason run
Andrews: How the Cavs' defense locked down the Magic in Games 1 and 2
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) defeat the New Orleans Pelicans (8), 4-0
Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89
The Thunder lean on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to pull away from the Pelicans and sweep the series 4-0.
Pelton: Why OKC's championship window is wide open for years to come
Pelicans VP praises Zion Williamson, calls injury 'disheartening'
Oklahoma City Thunder secure sweep over New Orleans Pelicans
Denver Nuggets (2) defeat the Los Angeles Lakers (7), 4-1
Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106
Jamal Murray's late-game heroics power the Nuggets past the Lakers and into the second round.
Minnesota Timberwolves (3) defeat the Phoenix Suns (6), 4-0
Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
Game 3: Timberwolves 126, Suns 109
Game 4: Timberwolves 122, Suns 116
Anthony Edwards drops 40 points, including seven 3s, to help the Timberwolves secure a sweep against the Suns.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch leads practice day after surgery
Suns owner Mat Ishbia bullish on team, mum on Frank Vogel's future
Windhorst: How the Suns can salvage their future this offseason is a mystery
Dallas Mavericks (5) defeat the LA Clippers (4), 4-2
Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93
Game 6: Mavericks 114, Clippers 101
Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic combine for 58 points to propel the Mavericks past the Clippers and into the second round.