Top 10 best potential matchups for the 2025 NBA Playoffs

The NBA regular season is winding down, the playoffs officially start on April 19. Players and fans are beginning to prepare for whatever the postseason throws at them. Here are some of the most exciting potential matchups that fans can be on the lookout for.

No. 10 Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

These two squads are pretty familiar with each other after playing in a seven-game series last year. The Magic are looking for revenge after Donovan Mitchell put up 39 points in a 106-94 game seven victory.

No. 9 Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns

Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are two of the most iconic names in the history of the league. They even won two NBA Finals together with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

The Suns currently sit at the No. 11 spot in the West, just 1.5 games out of the play-in. If they can finish out these next couple of weeks strong, they might be able to squeak into the 10 spot.

No. 8 Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The leader of this young Rockets core is Jalen Green who is currently averaging 21.5 PPG. He will have to match up against a very experienced Ja Morant.

Houston has won the season series 3-1. However, three of those four games were all decided by four points or less.

To add even more excitement, Dillon Brooks would be playing his former team in the playoffs for the first time.

No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder currently sit in first place in the West with a 62-12 record. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently leads the league with 32.8 PPG.

However, the Timberwolves have caused Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder some trouble in the past, as their regular-season series is tied 2-2.

No. 6 Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have formed quite the big three with Pascal Siakam, Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin. This is an offense that knows how to score as they average 117.1 PPG as a team.

The Pistons, on the other hand, have a fierce and fundamentally sound roster that likes to punish their opponents on defense.

No. 5 Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

Boston vs. New York will always be a highly anticipated matchup regardless of the sport. This year, even more so, considering both of these teams are top three in the

East.

The Knicks are led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns who are averaging a combined 50.6 PPG.

The Celtics, on the other hand, are led by 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who are no strangers to the big stage.

No. 4 Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

These two teams are very used to seeing each other in the playoffs, ever since the Lakers beat the Nuggets in the bubble and won the NBA Finals in 2020.

Nikola Jokić is once again a contender for the MVP, as he has put up 29.7 PPG, 12.8 RPG and 10.2 APG. Jokić will look to add to his historic season by bringing his team back to the Finals.

No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

This game would feature another rematch as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 4-1 in the conference semifinals last year.

However, Cleveland is hunting for different results this year and it had been obvious in their regular-season play. They are on pace for one of their best seasons in franchise history, they currently hold the No. 1 seed in the East with a 61-15 record.

Then again, the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals just 10 months ago.

No. 2 Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

After winning a gold medal together this summer, basketball fans across the world would be ecstatic to see a matchup featuring Stephen Curry vs. LeBron James.

Not to mention, two months ago, the Lakers agreed on a trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić. Since the trade, the Lakers have been on fire with a 46-29 overall record.

On the other hand, Curry has stayed loyal to the Bay Area in his 16 seasons. He looks to bring a fifth ring to the Warriors and add to his Hall of Fame career.

No.1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last but certainly not least is a matchup that has floated all over the sports media world.

The newly improved Lakers have looked unstoppable since acquiring Luka Dončić. The Thunder, however, have looked unstoppable for the entire season with the MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Dončić is no stranger to the Thunder. He, along with the Dallas Mavericks, knocked out the Thunder in the conference semifinals just last year, while the Thunder were a No.1 seed.

This year, the Thunder look to get redemption and show the league why they are once again the team to beat.

Chase Brosend is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email czb5975@psu.edu.