The NBA playoffs' conference finals are now set, with four teams remaining in the bracket vying for a chance to play in the 2024 NBA Finals. Let's take a closer look at the matchups and what to expect in the upcoming series.
Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers
The league-leading Boston Celtics continued their dominant run through the Eastern Conference, securing their spot in the conference finals with a second straight five-game series win, this time against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They will now face the surprising Indiana Pacers, who advanced by routing the short-handed New York Knicks in a decisive Game 7.
The series schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Tuesday, May 21 at Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Game 2: Thursday, May 23 at Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Game 3: Saturday, May 25 at Indiana (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
- Game 4: Monday, May 27 at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
- Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, May 29 at Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 31 at Indiana (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, June 2 at Boston (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Western Conference Finals: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves made a thrilling comeback in Game 7 to knock off the defending champion Denver Nuggets and advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2004. They will now face the Dallas Mavericks, who secured their spot in the finals with an impressive performance.
The series schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Wednesday, May 22 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
- Game 2: Friday, May 24 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
- Game 3: Sunday, May 26 at Dallas (8 p.m. ET, TNT)
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 28 at Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
- Game 5 (if necessary): Thursday, May 30 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
- Game 6 (if necessary): Saturday, June 1 at Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
- Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, June 3 at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Each team will need to win their best-of-7 series to advance to the NBA Finals. The playoffs feature a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team holding the better regular-season record hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if necessary). Stay tuned for complete coverage of the NBA playoffs leading up to the 2024 NBA Finals, which are set to tip off on June 6 on ABC and the ESPN app.
