The conference finals of the NBA playoffs are set. Four teams remain in the group, and only two will emerge with the chance to play in the 2024 NBA Finals.
The league leader Boston Celtics continued its dominance in the Eastern Conference with its second straight win in five games, this time against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston will meet the surprise Indiana Pacerswho routed the numerical disadvantage New York Knicks in game 7.
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated MVP three times Nikola Jokic and the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in a thrilling comeback in Game 7 to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2004.
Each team must win their 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 best regular season record in each series will have home-field advantage for that series. All series are played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team with the best record hosting games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary).
We’ll have full coverage of the NBA Playoffs throughout the 2024 NBA Finals, which begin June 6 on ABC and the ESPN app.
MORE: Second round recap | First round |
Off-season questions
EAST FINAL
Game 1: Celtics 133, Pacers 128 (OT)
Game 2: Thursday, May 23 in Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 25 at Indiana (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 27 at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 29 in Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 31 at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 2 at Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
0:42
Tatum’s three from the top of the arc gives the Celtics a 4-up lead in overtime
Jayson Tatum drains the open 3-pointer from the top of the arc in overtime.
WESTERN FINAL
Game 1: Wednesday, May 22 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 2: Friday, May 24 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 3: Sunday, May 26 in Dallas (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 4: Tuesday, May 28 in Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Thursday, May 30 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, June 1 in Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, June 3 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
3:22
Mavs overtake Thunder to secure Western Conference Finals berth
Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks rally to beat OKC 117-116 in a thrilling Game 6.
