Get ready for the Bay Area’s most anticipated showdown of the season. The wait is finally over as the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets have been set to clash in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The highly-anticipated matchup is about to heat up the courts, and fans are eagerly awaiting the thrilling moments that are sure to come. NBC Sports Bay Area & California has announced the release of the full schedule for this highly-anticipated series, and Instachronicles has got the inside scoop.
Warriors vs. Rockets: The Road to the NBA Playoffs
Playoff Schedule and Ticket Information
After a grueling regular season, it’s time to crown a champion. The 2024-25 NBA regular season concluded on Sunday after nearly six months of non-stop action. The upcoming playoffs will feature all of the best teams from across the league, including the defending champion Boston Celtics and 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Golden State Warriors have announced that single game tickets for the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, presented by Kaiser Permanente, will go on sale Wednesday, April 16, with exclusive presale events before becoming available to the general public.
NBA Playoff Picture: Seeds, Matchups, and Brackets
The top six seeds in each conference are locked into the playoffs, which means matchups for four of the eight first-round series are set. The bottom two seeds in each conference will be determined in the Play-In Tournament.
Schedule and Matchups
The 2025 NBA playoffs tip off on Saturday, April 19, with Game 1 of four first-round series being held. The remaining four series will play Game 1 on Sunday, April 20.
Here are the seeds and matchups for both conferences:
- EAST: No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic/No. 8 Atlanta Hawks/No. 9 Chicago Bulls/No. 10 Miami Heat
- EAST: No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic/No. 8 Atlanta Hawks
- EAST: No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Detroit Pistons
- EAST: No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks
- WEST: (Matchups to be determined after Play-In Tournament)
- EAST: Game 1: No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Orlando Magic (Tuesday, April 15)
- EAST: Game 2: No. 10 Miami Heat at No. 9 Chicago Bulls (Wednesday, April 16)
- EAST: Game 3: Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1 (Friday, April 18)
- WEST: Game 1: No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies at No. 7 Golden State Warriors (Tuesday, April 15)
- WEST: Game 2: No. 10 Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 Sacramento Kings (Wednesday, April 16)
- WEST: Game 3: Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1 (Friday, April 18)
Play-In Tournament
The Play-In Tournament will feature the seventh through 10th seeds in each conference. The No. 7 seeds will face the No. 8 seeds, with the winners moving to the first-round against the No. 2 seeds. The losers will face the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 games, with the winners of those games moving on to face the No. 1 seeds.
Here’s the Play-In Tournament matchups:
Watching the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals
The NBA playoffs will air on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV. The exact partners for each series and game are still to be determined. For the 23rd consecutive season dating back to 2003, the NBA Finals will be broadcasted on ABC.
The NBA Play-In Tournament: What You Need to Know
The NBA Play-In Tournament is a single-elimination bracket that determines the final two playoff seeds in each conference.
The Play-In Tournament features the seventh through 10th seeds in each conference, with the winners of each game advancing to the playoffs.
Here’s the format and schedule for the Play-In Tournament:
- EAST:
- Game 1: No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Orlando Magic (Tuesday, April 15)
- Game 2: No. 10 Miami Heat at No. 9 Chicago Bulls (Wednesday, April 16)
- Game 3: Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1 (Friday, April 18)
- WEST:
- Game 1: No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies at No. 7 Golden State Warriors (Tuesday, April 15)
- Game 2: No. 10 Dallas Mavericks at No. 9 Sacramento Kings (Wednesday, April 16)
- Game 3: Winner of Game 2 at Loser of Game 1 (Friday, April 18)
Seeding Implications for the Warriors and Rockets
The Golden State Warriors, seeded seventh in the Western Conference, will face the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament.
Winning the Play-In Tournament would put the Warriors in the first round against the second-seeded Boston Celtics. Losing would put them into a play-in series against the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game.
The Houston Rockets, seeded seventh in the Western Conference, will face the eighth-seeded Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament. Winning the Play-In Tournament would put the Rockets in the first round against the second-seeded Denver Nuggets. Losing would put them into a play-in series against the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game.
Watching the NBA Playoffs and Finals
The NBA playoffs will air on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV.
The exact partners for each series and game are still to be determined.
For the 23rd consecutive season dating back to 2003, the NBA Finals will be broadcasted on ABC.
How to Catch the Warriors vs. Rockets Series Live
Warriors First Round Playoffs Tickets Available Wednesday
The Golden State Warriors have announced that single game tickets for the First Round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, presented by Kaiser Permanente, will go on sale Wednesday, April 16, with exclusive presale events before becoming available to the general public.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the highly anticipated first-round NBA playoff series between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets is finally taking shape, with the full schedule now released. As we’ve outlined, the series promises to be a thrilling matchup between two Western Conference powerhouses, each boasting impressive regular season records and a wealth of playoff experience. The Warriors, seeking to reclaim their championship title, will face stiff competition from the Rockets, who are determined to prove themselves as legitimate contenders.
The significance of this series extends beyond the on-court action, as it will also serve as a referendum on the Warriors’ dynasty and the Rockets’ ability to rise to the occasion. The outcome will have far-reaching implications for both teams, as they look to assert their dominance in the Western Conference and make a deep playoff run. Furthermore, this series will provide a fascinating glimpse into the evolving landscape of the NBA, where superteams and high-powered offenses are increasingly becoming the norm.