According to Derek Bodner on X, Embiid issued a direct challenge to the fanbase to prevent a repeat of previous postseason takeovers. He stated, “I have a message for our fans. Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philly] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re gonna need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you…If you need money, I got you”.

The plea comes at a time when Nick Nurse knows what makes the Knicks dangerous for the 76ers. Embiid believes that having a loud, loyal crowd will be essential to matching that intensity and overcoming a New York team that has already proven it can win on the road.

Embiid finds peace in trusting his teammates during the 2026 run

Reflecting on his personal performance, Embiid shared that he no longer feels the crushing weight of having to do everything himself to secure a victory. “I’ve always taken the blame for everything that has happened,” he admitted, adding that it “means a lot” to finally be in a position where he can trust his teammates to deliver in big moments.

The 76ers currently lead the all-time playoff games record against the Knicks 23-16 and hold a 5-3 edge in series wins, though the sting of their 2024 first-round exit still lingers. During that last meeting, New York won 4-2 before losing an epic seven-game series to the Pacers, but now the two rivals meet again two years later.

With elite scorers like Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Maxey set to clash alongside the Embiid-Towns battle, the star center emphasized that “you can’t win alone”. He believes this year’s squad has the necessary depth to finally overcome the hurdle that has kept Philadelphia from the conference finals for so long.

According to a post shared on X by Kristian Winfield, Nurse reflected on the regular-season series, asking, “What did we go 2-2 against them? Nobody could win at home?“ He emphasized that New York has bolstered their bench and can adapt to different styles, stating, “They can play one-big, two bigs. Brunson’s obviously a big problem.”

The coach made it clear that the physical nature of the upcoming series will be a primary concern for his squad. “The rebounding’s a big problem. A much bigger team in general all-around than we just saw,” Nurse remarked during his postgame presser. He concluded by saying that facing the Knicks is going to be a “tremendous challenge” for the surging Sixers.

Nurse demands an immediate mindset shift for the semifinals

Nurse gave his players less than two hours to celebrate their historic Game 7 win, telling them they can enjoy it until midnight before focusing on the next task. He noted that they have only won seven games so far, reminding the team, “This might just be 7 out of the 28 games“ required to reach their ultimate championship goal.

To secure the win in Boston, Nurse shortened his bench, explaining that he felt that specific group was playing well together and he wanted his “best players on the floor.” He dismissed concerns about fatigue during the playoff push, famously stating, “If we don’t win, we have the whole summer to recover from being tired.”

Analysts like Andrew S on X are already highlighting the mouth-watering matchups, such as Tyrese Maxey versus Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns facing Joel Embiid. With stars like Mikal Bridges and Paul George also in the mix, this series is expected to be a “hard-fought battle” between two teams that know each other’s schemes perfectly.

The series is set to begin in New York, where the first matchups will determine the early momentum for both historic franchises. The semifinals are scheduled to tip off on May 4 at PM EDT and could potentially extend until May 17 if a Game 7 is required.

Fans will have plenty of ways to tune in, as NBC, ESPN, Prime, and ABC will provide live coverage for the first four games. The Knicks are already resting and waiting to see if their depth can handle the challenge of this next postseason hurdle.

76ers break historic drought against Celtics

The 76ers have overcome a grueling regular season to find their rhythm when it matters most, putting together an impressive playoff run so far. By closing out this series, Philadelphia has eliminated the Celtics from the postseason for the first time since 1982, ending a decades-long hex held by their division rivals.

Over the last 10 seasons, the 76ers have been a fixture in the postseason, though they have frequently struggled to advance past the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite multiple appearances in the second round throughout the “Process” era and beyond, this year’s squad is looking to surpass those previous roadblocks and reach their first conference final in years.

While the team has faced early exits in the past, their performance in 2026 shows a newfound maturity and defensive grit that was often missing in previous campaigns. With the Celtics finally out of their way, the 76ers are now positioned to make their deepest run of the decade and challenge for a spot in the NBA Finals.

The 76ers were down 3-1 in the series against the Celtics but managed to push it to seven games, which granted the Knicks extra rest while they awaited the winner; consequently, they will hold a slight advantage in a series set to begin at Madison Square Garden in New York for the first two games.

Advancing to the final stage of the East is a major goal for this roster, especially after the heartbreak of the 2024-25 season. That year, the Knicks’ deep playoff run was cut short in the conference finals by the Indiana Pacers, who defeated them in six games with a final series score of 4-2.

Knicks’ conference semifinal history and championship drought

Over the last 10 seasons, the Knicks have reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals three times prior to this year, appearing in 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25. While they successfully advanced past this round in 2025 to reach the conference finals, they suffered a second-round exit in 2024 at the hands of the Pacers in a seven-game series.

The franchise has navigated several rebuilding periods over the past decade, only finding consistent playoff success in recent years. Despite this recent resurgence against the Hawks, the ultimate prize has eluded the city for over half a century, as fans in the Bronx and across the city remain hungry for a return to the league’s mountaintop.

The New York Knicks last won an NBA championship in 1973, which marked the second of two titles in franchise history. With more than 50 years passing since they last hoisted the trophy, this current 2026 squad is determined to break that long-standing drought and bring a title back to Madison Square Garden.

The Pacers have shown tremendous heart, playing as big underdogs in almost every game of the series. Still, with their backs against the wall and facing a 3-2 deficit, they defended their home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a dominant 108-91 victory.

Now, the big question in the NBA is whether the performance of Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton will shift the odds for that final battle. The odds have already been released and, once again, there’s a major surprise.

What are the odds for Pacers vs Thunder in Game 7 of NBA Finals?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 7.5-point favorites over the Indiana Pacers heading into Game 7, which will take place this Sunday at Paycom Center. Once again, Indiana enters as one of the biggest underdogs in NBA Finals history for a winner-take-all showdown.

The moneyline has the Thunder at -300, showing full confidence in their home-court advantage, while the Pacers are currently listed at +250. Again, that would be a massive upset.

What is the over/under for Game 7 of NBA Finals 2025?

The over/under for Game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder is set at 215.5 points, making it the highest projected total for a Game 7 in NBA Finals recent history.

The 2025 NBA Playoffs have delivered on all the drama and intensity fans hoped for, with buzzer-beaters and unexpected upsets reshaping the road to the championship. Now, the Western Conference Finals are just around the corner.

Out West, the race has been nothing short of a spectacle—highlight-reel performances, fierce rivalries reignited, and coaching masterclasses defining each round. The stage is nearly set for what promises to be another epic showdown.

As anticipation builds, questions linger: when will the next chapter unfold, and which team will seize momentum first? The official tip-off date for the Western Conference Finals is finally here and it might be sooner than some expected.

What’s the start date for the Western Conference Finals?

The Western Conference Finals are scheduled to begin on Sunday, May 18, if the Oklahoma City Thunder close out their series in Game 6. However, if the Denver Nuggets force a Game 7, the opening game will shift to Tuesday, May 20, according to the NBA’s provisional calendar.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have already secured their place in the West Finals after taking down the Golden State Warriors 121–110 in Game 5 of the semifinals. It’s the second year in a row that Minnesota has reached this stage.

The NBA has mapped out both potential schedules, with the series following the traditional 2–2–1–1–1 format. That means fans could be watching Game 1 tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET either this Sunday or the following Tuesday.

Which teams are battling for a spot in the Finals?

The Minnesota Timberwolves have already punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals, showcasing stellar performances from Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Edwards has been a standout, averaging 26.5 points per game.

Their opponent will be determined by the outcome of the series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. The Thunder currently lead the series 3–2, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday, May 15.

The Thunder have had a remarkable season, finishing with a league-best 68–14 record. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are the defending NBA champions and are looking to make a return to the Finals.

The Heat entered this final game of the NBA playoffs’ first round with an understanding of the uphill battle they faced. Cleveland delivered an early knockout blow, winning the first quarter by a staggering 43-17. The home team was unable to secure a win in any of the subsequent three quarters.

This game evokes memories of one of the two biggest blowouts in NBA playoffs history, the most recent being in 2009 when the Denver Nuggets routed the New Orleans Hornets 121-63, a decisive 58-point victory in Game 4 of the first round. Denver established early dominance, surging to a 21-point lead in the opening quarter and maintaining control throughout the contest.

The Cavaliers came within a hair’s breadth of setting a new record for the biggest playoff blowout, falling just three points shy of tying it and four away from making history. However, a decision to give their bench players significant minutes saw the intensity wane in the fourth quarter, which they won by a mere seven points – their narrowest margin of victory in the game.

Top 7 blowout wins in NBA playoffs history

The NBA‘s most recent playoff blowout occurred just over 15 years ago. While other historically large margins of victory date back more than 30 years, the 2025 playoffs saw two more games enter the top seven of all-time blowouts. This occurrence within the same season suggests a trend that could lead to frequent updates to this list in the coming years.

1. DEN at NOH, 2009 1st Round Game 4 (58 points)
2. MNL vs. STL, 1956 Div. Semis Game 2 (58 points)
3. LAL at GSW, 1973 Conf. Semis Game 3 (56 points)
4. CLE at MIA, 2025 1st Round Game 4 (55 points)
5. CHI at MIL, 2015 1st Round Game 6 (54 points)
6. OKC at MEM, 2025 1st Round Game 1 (51 points)
7. MIL vs. SFW, 1971 Conf. Semis Game 5 (50 points)

Next stage for the Cavaliers

The Cavaliers now advance to the conference semifinals, where they will await the winner of the first-round matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks. With the Pacers currently holding a commanding 3-1 series lead at the time of this writing, they appear to be the likely opponent for Cleveland in the next stage.

Outside of the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks squaring off, nothing is set in stone, with as many as five Eastern Conference teams still fighting for postseason seeding.

The Western Conference picture isn’t much clearer, as multiple teams could still either avoid the Play-In Tournament or get better positioning, and three teams could still get the No. 1 seed. With that in mind, we’ll share all tiebreakers for postseason seeding.

NBA Playoff Tiebreakers For A Two-Way Tie

1. Better winning percentage in head-to-head matchups.
2. Division winner (this criterion is applied regardless of whether the tied teams are in the same division).
3. Better winning percentage against teams in their own division (only if tied teams are in the same division).
4. Better winning percentage against teams in their own conference.
5. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for the playoffs or the Play-In Iournament in their own conference (including tied teams).
6. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for the playoffs or the Play-In Iournament in their own conference (including tied teams).
7. Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (point differential).

NBA Playoff Tiebreakers For A Thre-Way Tie

1. Division winner (this criterion is applied regardless of whether the tied teams are in the same division).
2. The two better winning percentage in head-to-head matchups.
3. Better winning percentage against teams in their own division (only if tied teams are in the same division).
4. Better winning percentage against teams in their own conference.
5. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for the playoffs or the Play-In Tournament in their own conference (including tied teams).
6. Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (point differential).

It had been years since we last had such an exciting regular-season finale, and most teams playing will still have a lot at stake in the 82nd game of the campaign. What else could we ask for?

Back in 2015, the Nuggets selected Nikola Jokic with the 41st-overall pick. The Serbian previously played at his country with Mega Basket. He struggled to adapt to the NBA, but a few years later he became one of the best foreign players the league has seen recently.

Jokic won the NBA Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022). In Game 3 of the 2023 Finals, he managed to set an amazing milestone, and now the center did it again in Game 5.

Nikola Jokic sets two unbelievable records during Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals

Nikola Jokic is currently recognized as the Denver Nuggets’ top player. Right from his first season in the NBA, he earned a spot in the All-Rookie First Team, and since then, his trajectory has only gone upwards.

Nine years after being selected, Nikola Jokic won his first NBA Championship by defeating the Miami Heat. In Game 5, the Serbian player managed to break not one, but two records that neither LeBron James nor Michael Jordan were able to reach in Playoffs.

In a remarkable feat, Jokic became the first player in history to achieve over 500 points, 250 rebounds, and 150 assists in a postseason. Additionally, he recorded an impressive 10 triple-doubles during the Playoffs, setting a new record for the most by any player in a single postseason.

There are many storylines heading into this series, which start Thursday in Denver. The biggest one revolves around each team’s strength, with many claiming the Nuggets are favorites after comparing their paths to the Finals.

Miami made the postseason as the 8 seed in the East, having made its way from the Play-In. Nikola Jokic and company, on the other hand, finished 1st in the West and swept the Lakers to make it to this round. Even so, head coach Michael Malone believes his team will still need to bring its A-game to succeed.

Michael Malone shows utmost respect for the Heat ahead of the Finals

“Well, as I told our team, forget the eight seed stuff,” Malone said, via AP. “They beat Milwaukee 4-1. That team had the most wins in the NBA this year. They beat Boston 4-3 and they were up 3-0, the team with I think the second most wins in the NBA this year.

“So, you get to the NBA Finals, it’s not about seeding anymore, and for those who are thinking that this is going to be an easy series, I don’t even know what to say to you people.

“This is going to be the biggest challenge of our live. This is the NBA Finals. We’re trying to win the first NBA championship in franchise history, and it’s going to be the hardest thing that we’ve ever done, which is the way it should be.”

The Heat have certainly proven a lot of people wrong this year, so to continue underestimating them could be a huge mistake. But Malone is not doing that, so the Nuggets might be entering this series with the right mindset.

The sixth game was supposed to be the last one and the victory for the Miami Heat but things got more complicated than they thought.

Most of the tickets are already sold, it is unlikely that anyone will get tickets for Game 7 knowing that the series is the most exciting of the Conference Finals.

How much do courtside seats cost for Heat vs Celtics Game 7?

According to TickPick, courtside seats for the final game of the Heat vs. Celtics series are surpassing $35,000 which means the TD Garden could generate $500,000+ just from those types of seats.

Game 7 will be hosted at the TD Garden, in this series against Miami for the Eastern Conference Finals the Boston Celtics lost two games at home and won only one (sixth game).