The 2025 NBA Playoffs wrapped up on Sunday night with the first Finals Game 7 in nine years. After surviving a seven-game battle in the second round, the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a spectacular run by capturing their first title since relocating from Seattle. This marked the seventh consecutive season with a different NBA champion.
From start to finish, these playoffs delivered everything fans could ask for. Spectacular individual performances, dramatic comebacks, and a few unforgettable moments dominated the headlines. The Indiana Pacers made fourth-quarter rallies feel routine, powered by the all-in play of Tyrese Haliburton. It was also a postseason marked by injuries, with three All-Stars suffering Achilles tears. Steph Curry and LeBron James both saw their seasons end with lingering issues.
Here are five things we learned from an incredible post-season of basketball.
Magic And Cavs Fighting To Rule The East
The Orlando Magic were competitive in their five-game first-round loss to the Boston Celtics. It was a different story for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who took care of Miami before being knocked out by Indiana in five games. Injuries played a big part in Cleveland’s exit, and they will start the next season without Darius Garland.
Cleveland won 64 games in the regular season, but their playoff performance fell flat again. This is the second straight year they have underachieved in the postseason, yet early reports suggest they will run it back with the same core four. In a weakened Eastern Conference, that might still be enough.
Orlando, meanwhile, finally made the move they had been building toward since drafting Paolo Banchero. The Magic shocked the league by trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and multiple first-round picks to Memphis in exchange for Desmond Bane.
Bane gives Orlando shooting and on-ball creation to complement their versatile wings. Cleveland already has the framework of a two-way contender. These two teams should be the class of the East entering the 2025-26 season.
Thunder Don’t Need A Big Move
Had the Thunder come up short, the offseason might have been filled with speculation about adding another star, perhaps Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or someone else to take pressure off Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen Williams silenced that talk with a 40-point performance in the Finals. He showed he is more than capable of being the second option on a championship team.
Oklahoma City looks more primed for a dynasty than any team in the last decade. The only thing that might get in their way is the second apron. This roster is young, deep, and wildly talented. Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Chet Holmgren form the foundation of a potential multi-title run.
The only real questions lie further down the rotation. What does Sam Presti do with role players like Luguentz Dort or Kenrich Williams? It would not be a surprise to see the Thunder move one of them to restock future draft capital.
Injuries Have Crippled The East’s Elite
Jayson Tatum, Damian Lillard, and Tyrese Haliburton each suffered an Achilles injury during the 2025 playoffs. All three are expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season, leaving a massive gap in the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
Boston has already started shedding salary. They moved Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to get below the second apron. More trades could follow.
Milwaukee is in limbo. Giannis may look to move on after an underwhelming season alongside Lillard.
Indiana, without Haliburton, will struggle to stay relevant.
Injuries are part of every NBA year, but it is rare to see this many stars ruled out before the next season begins. The East was already lagging behind the West. Losing three All-NBA players creates a clear imbalance.
Those injuries could open the door for teams like the Knicks, Magic, and Cavaliers to make deep playoff runs.
West Coast Powers Need Reinforcements
California’s marquee franchises had high hopes after midseason trades. Together, the Lakers and Warriors won one playoff series and just six total games.
The Lakers need size and versatility in the frontcourt. JJ Redick cannot build lineups entirely around going small. Golden State would benefit from a frontcourt shooter who fits next to Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
Both teams should be active in trade talks. Lauri Markkanen could be a perfect fit for the Warriors, while Nic Claxton offers rim protection and vertical spacing for a Lakers team still built around LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Believe in Detroit
The Pistons surged in the second half of the season and arrived in the playoffs with confidence. They pushed the Knicks to six games in the first round and had a real chance to win the series.
Cade Cunningham has solidified himself as a top 10 player in the league. Jalen Duren is a dependable starting center. Ausar Thompson showed major growth and two-way potential.
Detroit enters the offseason with cap space and future draft flexibility. It might be a year too early to make an all-in move, but the Pistons are ready to take the next step. Adding one or two more playmakers around Cunningham could push them into serious playoff contention.
Final Word
The 2025 playoffs gave us a new champion, surprise contenders, devastating injuries, and a glimpse into what the next era of the NBA might look like. With so much star power shifting or sidelined, the 2025-26 season already feels wide open. And full of new possibilities.
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