NBA conference semifinals: Cavs take Game 3 behind Mitchell’s 43 points

The second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs is here, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game of the Eastern and Western conference semifinals.

The No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers kicked off the East semis by taking a two-game lead over the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, who then bounced back in Game 3 on Friday night behind Donovan Mitchell’s 43-point performance.

The third-seeded New York Knicks, after beating the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in two outstanding comeback wins, are leading the series 2-0 and will have the advantage of homecourt for the next two games.

In the West, the No. 4 seed Denver Nuggets, after a substantial loss against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 have a chance to take the lead in the series at home in Game 3.

Plus, the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors, after losing Stephen Curry in a Game 1 win and losing Game 2 will have to dig deep as they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday to see who takes the series lead.

As teams continue to chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy, here’s what matters most in both conferences and what to watch for in all four series.

Jump to a series:
Cavaliers-Pacers | Knicks-Celtics
Thunder-Nuggets | Warriors-Timberwolves

More coverage:
Schedules and results | Offseason guides

Eastern Conference

(4) Indiana Pacers lead (1) Cleveland Cavaliers 2-1

Game 3: Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104

What we learned: The Cavs have finally arrived. Donovan Mitchell put up another masterful performance, scoring 43 points with nine rebounds and five assists, and the Cavs had a healthy rotation for the first time all series en route to rolling the Pacers in a statement victory. Mitchell became the first player in Cavs playoff history with 90 points in a two-game span, following his 48-point performance in Game 2. And the Cavs got a major boost from having their regular rotation back together — Darius Garland (10 points and three assists) made his debut in the series; Evan Mobley filled up the stat sheet in his return (18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals); and De’Andre Hunter gave good minutes as a reserve (eight points, five rebounds). But it was also the zone defense in the second quarter that stifled the Pacers’ offense and allowed Cleveland to outscore Indiana 34-13, taking a 20-point lead it held onto this time.

Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers (Sunday, 8 p.m. ET, TNT)

What to watch: Despite Indiana winning the first two games of the series, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle emphasized before Game 3 that they expected to see the Cavs squad that won 64 games during the regular season respond. Cleveland did so in a big way. The Pacers will have an opportunity in Game 4 to put Cleveland on the brink of elimination, but they’ve been outplayed by the Cavs for most of the past two games, despite a flurry in the fourth quarter to win Game 2. Cleveland has had success limiting Tyrese Haliburton’s impact on the game, holding him to four points on 2-of-8 shooting with five assists in Game 3. — Jamal Collier

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(3) New York Knicks lead (2) Boston Celtics 2-0

Game 2: Knicks 91, Celtics 90

What we learned: Game 1 apparently wasn’t a fluke. Like Game 1, the Celtics pulled ahead in the first half, and built a 20-point advantage in the third quarter. Like Game 1, the Knicks came roaring back while Boston’s offense went ice cold — this time for a nearly nine-minute span without a basket in the fourth quarter. And like Game 1, Jalen Brunson and the cardiac Knicks were able to hold on late and stun the defending champions, who have now blown back-to-back 20-point leads and find themselves down 2-0 heading to Madison Square Garden over the weekend.

Game 3: Celtics at Knicks (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

What to watch: A few things: Are the Celtics, who have been historically good on the road this season, any more comfortable shooting from 3 in New York? After hitting just 15-for-60 in Game 1, they hit the same brutal 25% on Wednesday, going 10-for-40 in Game 2. Also, is Kristaps Porzingis able to extend his minutes? And, more than anything, are the battle-tested Celtics in a decent headspace after blowing a pair of monumental leads? We’ll find out in Game 3. — Chris Herring

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder tied with the (4) Denver Nuggets 1-1

Game 3: Thunder at Nuggets (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

What to watch: Let’s be clear: The Nuggets lost this game on the court. But you’re going to hear a lot about how three-time MVP Nikola Jokic was refereed in Game 2. Officials called him for two straight offensive fouls, leading to him fouling out toward the end of the third quarter. The Thunder made a great adjustment by switching Jaylin Williams onto him in Game 2 in place of Chet Holmgren after Jokic destroyed the OKC frontline Monday. It’ll be interesting to see Denver’s counter in Game 3. — Ramona Shelburne

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(7) Golden State Warriors tied with the (6) Minnesota Timberwolves 1-1

Game 2: Timberwolves 117, Warriors 93

What we learned: Minnesota came out with the necessary force to even this series, starting Game 2 with a 13-0 run with Julius Randle setting the tone with two assists and five points during that surge. With Stephen Curry on the sideline with a strained left hamstring, Golden State fell behind 25-7. The Warriors’ offense went through Jimmy Butler, but there wasn’t enough offense from him as he took only 13 shots. Buddy Hield, now facing better defenders with Curry out, was held in check for much of the game before finishing with 15 points. Brandin Podziemski contributed 11 points, six rebounds and six assists but will probably have to score 20 or more with Curry out for Golden State to have a chance to win. And after hitting four 3-pointers in Game 1, Draymond Green went 1-for-6 from behind the arc. Steve Kerr — who played 14 players in the first half, most by a team since 1998 — found a spark in Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Kuminga hit his first seven shots before finishing with 18 points, and Jackson-Davis had 15 points while making all six of his attempts. But they couldn’t overcome the Wolves, especially with Anthony Edwards returning for the second half after he injured his left ankle. Edwards had 20 points and nine rebounds while Randle added 24 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. Jaden McDaniels also played well with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Golden State got within seven in the third quarter but couldn’t get any closer. The Warriors will head back to San Francisco still looking to find where the offense will come from without Curry. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Game 3: Wolves at Warriors (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)

What to watch: After being held under 100 in its Game 1 win, Golden State continued struggling to score without Curry in Game 2. Golden State’s 39 points in the first half were the fewest it has scored out of its nine playoff games, and it finished with just 93. Without the surprise contributions from Kuminga (18 points on 8-for-11 shooting) and Jackson-Davis (15 points on 6-for-6 shooting), the Warriors’ offense would have been totally inept. The Warriors struggled from 3, going 9-for-32 (28.1%), and Butler, Hield and Green combined to score just 41 points after combining for 62 in Game 1. They will need to generate more points to stay in this series. — Dave McMenamin