BBNBA Playoffs Update: SGA vs. Murray headlines Conference Semifinals

Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA;Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs is behind us as the Conference Semifinals officially began on Sunday night in Cleveland. A dozen former Kentucky players were on an active roster going into round one, but only six remain as we dive headfirst into round two. Of those six Wildcats, four will play major roles for their respective teams.

Here is your BBNBA Playoff update ahead of the Conference Semifinals.

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers

We’ll be quick with this series (mainly because I don’t want to talk about my Cavaliers losing in Game 1). We only have one former Kentucky player on either of these teams, Isaiah Jackson of the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, Jackson has been out since early November with a torn right Achilles. The Pacers could not miss from deep (19-36) in their Game 1 win, while Cleveland’s starting guard Darius Garland is dealing with a toe injury that might be worse than expected. It couldn’t have gone worse for the Cavs in the series opener.

Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tue. May 6, 7 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Cavaliers at Pacers (Fri. May 9, 7:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers (Sun. May 11, 8 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tue. May 13, TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Pacers (Thu. May 15, TBD)*
Game 7: Pacers at Cavaliers (Sun. May 18, TBD)*

KSR’s prediction: Cavaliers in 7

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks

The Boston Celtics will be heavily favored to win this series, but Karl-Anthony Towns has the chance to cement his status as one of the best big men in the world. Towns had an up-and-down first round against the Detroit Pistons, but finished with solid all-around numbers: 19.7 points and 10 rebounds per outing on shooting splits of 48.9/48/90. That being said, KAT had two games with just 10 points — that can’t happen in any game against Boston. The Celtics will look to target Towns on defense whenever possible. How he holds his own on that end of the floor could end up being one of the deciding factors of the series.

Game 1: Knicks at Celtics (Mon. May 5, 7 ET, TNT)
Game 2: Knicks at Celtics (Wed. May 7, 7 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Celtics at Knicks (Sat. May 10, TBD, ABC)
Game 4: Celtics at Knicks (Mon. May 12, TBD, ESPN)
Game 5: Knicks at Celtics (Wed. May 14, TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Celtics at Knicks (Fri. May 16, TBD, ESPN)*
Game 7: Knicks at Celtics (Mon. May 19, 8 ET, TNT)*

KSR’s prediction: Celtics in 5

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4) Denver Nuggets

If you’re a Kentucky fan, this is the series for you. Three former Wildcats will take the floor in this highly anticipated series between the league’s two MVP frontrunners. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who many expect to win MVP, and Cason Wallace will lead the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder into battle against Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic (the projected MVP runner-up), and the Denver Nuggets.

Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC swept the Memphis Grizzlies in round one, but SGA only played up to his standards in Game 4’s closeout. He shot just 40.2 percent from the field and 25 percent from deep, although he still managed 27.8 points per outing. The Thunder can’t afford three below-average performances from the MVP favorite in round two. He’ll be helped in the backcourt by the defensive-minded Wallace, who averaged four points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 20.5 minutes per game against Memphis.

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As for Murray, nothing came easily in the Nuggets’ seven-game series win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He was vintage Playoff Jamal Murray in a Game 5 win with 43 points, but failed to score more than 24 points in any of the other six games. The former ‘Cat posted per-game averages of 22.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 42 minutes against the Clippers on splits of 48.1/40.4/89.5. We know Jokic will play well, but if Denver wants any chance of winning this series, Murray has to produce even more.

Game 1: Nuggets at Thunder (Mon. May 5, 9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 2: Nuggets at Thunder (Wed. May 7, 9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Thunder at Nuggets (Fri. May 9, 10 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Thunder at Nuggets (Sun. May 11, 3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Nuggets at Thunder (Tue. May 13, TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Thunder at Nuggets (Thu. May 15, TBD, ESPN)*
Game 7: Nuggets at Thunder (Sun. May 18, TBD, TBD)*

KSR’s prediction: Thunder in 6

(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (7) Golden State Warriors

After dispatching the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, the Minnesota Timberwolves now have to take on a few more future Hall of Famers on the Golden State Warriors. But if Julius Randle continues to play at this level — easily the best stretch of postseason ball in his career — then the Wolves should be in good shape. Randle scored 22 or more points in four of five games against the Lakers, finishing with averages of 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 38 minutes per contest. The 6-foot-9 forward shot 48.1 percent from the field, 39.3 percent from deep, and 83.9 percent from the line. Another series like that against the Warriors could have Minnesota in the Conference Finals for the second straight year.

As for the Warriors, Kevin Knox is still roaming around the sidelines. Don’t expect him to play real minutes, though — Knox saw 24 combined minutes in three games played during the Warriors’ seven-game series against the Houston Rockets. He poured in 14 points during Game 5, which saw Golden State give up midway through the third quarter. But he’s not expected to be a primary rotation piece in this series.