The conference semi-finals of the NBA playoffs have begun. Expect plenty of drama after an exciting start to the playoffs.
THE Boston CelticsNo. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and No. 1 overall seed, faces No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. In the other East series, the No. 2 seed New York Knicks renew their old rivalry with the No. 6 seed Indiana Pacers.
In the West, the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder face the number 5 seed Dallas Mavericks. The other West clash pits the No. 2 seed and the reigning NBA Finals champion. Denver Nuggets against the number 3 seed Minnesota Timberwolves.
The four teams from each conference compete 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 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.
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Off-season guides
EAST CONFERENCE
Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
Game 2: Thursday, May 9 in Boston (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 in Cleveland (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 13 in Cleveland (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday May 15 in Boston (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 in Cleveland (ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday May 19 in Boston
0:23
Jaylen Brown posts Isaac Okoro with two-handed jam
Jaylen Brown launches a vicious slam against Isaac Okoro in the third quarter.
Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121
Game 3: Friday, May 10 at Indiana (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 12 at Indiana (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday May 14 in New York (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 17 at Indiana (ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday May 19 in New York
4:46
Knicks battle through injuries to beat Pacers, take 2-0 series lead
Although Jalen Brunson was shaken early and OG Anunoby left with an injury, the Knicks surged in the second half to defeat the Pacers in Game 2.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95
Game 2: Thursday, May 9 in Oklahoma City (ESPN)
Game 3: Saturday, May 11 in Dallas (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Monday, May 13 in Dallas (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 15 in Oklahoma City (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, May 18 in Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, May 20 in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
0:19
Chet Holmgren excited after two-handed flush
Chet Holmgren gets the crowd going with a two-handed dunk.
Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
Game 3: Friday, May 10 at Minnesota (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Sunday, May 12 at Minnesota (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, May 14 in Denver (TNT)
Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, May 16 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday May 19 in Denver
1:09
The numbers behind Nikola Jokic’s 3rd NBA MVP in the last 4 seasons
Check out the numbers behind Nikola Jokic’s NBA MVP season for the Denver Nuggets.
