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There’s a single term that encapsulates the 2024-25 playoffs: Riveting. The matches have provided plenty of tension, standout performances, seven-game series, and exhilarating conclusions. Indeed, riveting is the perfect descriptor.
This excitement can be largely credited to the efforts and performances of the final four franchises — Knicks, Pacers, Timberwolves, and Thunder. Each team showcases key players who are rising to the occasion on the big stage, supported by rotations that deliver crucial contributions.
Now, it’s the Pacers facing the Knicks in the East, while the Timberwolves take on the Thunder in the West.
Here’s a defining word for each of the four teams still vying for the title in this NBA postseason:
> “Starved”
As you may know, this storied franchise from a major market hasn’t enjoyed a championship toast in quite a while. To be exact, it’s been since 1973, which translates to five long decades. Even more pointedly, this marks the Knicks’ first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in nearly 25 years, when they were last eliminated by the Pacers.
So, yes, the Knicks and their supporters are … perhaps “eager” captures it? They are keen to seize the opportunity, especially as this team seems to exude a sense of destiny. Jalen Brunson, who arrived three years ago, has proven to be a transformative player; he consistently exceeds expectations and exhibits a fierce competitiveness in critical moments.
The other new additions in recent seasons — Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges — have also made significant impacts during this playoff journey. New York City has rekindled its passion for the Knicks. Just take a look at how congested the corner of 33rd and 7th gets after playoff victories. The next area the locals dream of shutting down is Broadway come mid-June.
The Knicks have energized the city with their impressive playoff performance in 2025.
> “Determined”
These aren’t the Reggie Miller-led Pacers, known for their tenacity, but this team carries a confident flair as a mid-sized market franchise. It starts with Tyrese Haliburton, who isn’t intimidated by challenges and encourages his teammates to reach — and even exceed — their potential.
Reflect on how Haliburton and the Pacers rebounded after a slow start (10-15) to the season. They finished strong, winning 15 of their last 19 games, and since the playoffs commenced, Indianapolis has witnessed significant developments from Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith. Additionally, Pascal Siakam, a former champion from Toronto in 2019, is enjoying an exceptional playoff run, shooting 54% overall and 44% from beyond the arc, leading the team in scoring.
Did the Pacers benefit from the injuries that the Bucks and Cavaliers suffered in the earlier rounds? That’s a fair point. Still, the Knicks would be unwise to underestimate Indiana’s ability to compete against any healthy squad. They may be viewed as fortunate, but they are also undeniably determined.
> “On fire”
It’s astonishing, but at the end of February, the Timberwolves were battling for a playoff position, sitting at 32-29 in the cutthroat Western Conference, hoping for a favorable turn of events.
Fast forward to today: if the theory holds that the hottest and healthiest team stands the best chance of clinching an NBA title, then the Timberwolves are serious contenders. Since March 28, they have lost only three times across all competitions and have a remarkable 25-6 record since March 1. They needed to finish strong during the regular season and have maintained that momentum through the early rounds of the playoffs.
Julius Randle’s scoring has increased by five points since the regular season, and he’s currently in good health—unlike in previous playoff appearances with the Knicks. Plus, we haven’t yet discussed Anthony Edwards.
The Wolves will need to tap into extra offensive production since they’re currently averaging just 108 points, which their solid defense is helping to mask.
> “Impatient”
As in, The Young and the Restless. Conventional basketball wisdom suggests that young teams like OKC’s must bide their time and endure growing pains before they can contend for championships. However, the Thunder are looking to challenge that notion vigorously.
The OKC squad is maturing rapidly, having had a critical learning experience when they faced the Nuggets in a seven-game series during the playoffs. A 68-win regular season team can only benefit from such challenges, and after such a dominant stretch, perhaps the Thunder needed to understand the pressure of the postseason.
It’s possible that no team will push Oklahoma City quite like that again for the remainder of this playoff run. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander serves as the essential building block every aspiring champion needs, and the depth and defensive capabilities of the Thunder are the envy of all remaining playoff contenders.
Youth, it seems, may soon claim its long-awaited trophy.
Jalen Williams and a group of reserves played pivotal roles in the Thunder’s decisive victory over Denver.
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Shaun Powell has been reporting on the NBA for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, view his archives here, and follow him on social media.
The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
