The 2024-25 NBA season has delivered surprises and more plot twists than a Hollywood blockbuster. LeBron James, defying age and logic, has the Lakers near the top of the Western Conference alongside Luka Doncic, creating a duo that might just be the most dangerous in the league. But are they strong enough to take down the deep and talented OKC Thunder who hold the number one seed?
- 1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
- 2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
- 3. Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks
- 4. Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets
- 5. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 6. Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- 7. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets
- 8. Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors
- 9. New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- 10. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Meanwhile, the East is a battlefield with Jayson Tatum’s Celtics and Jalen Brunson’s Knicks all making serious pushes. Not to be forgotten, the Warriors pulled off a midseason trade by landing Jimmy Butler, and the Milwaukee Bucks are trying to keep their window open.
With so much talent spread across the league, the potential Finals matchups are as enticing as ever. We’ve taken stock of the season so far to highlight 10 dream 2025 NBA Finals matchups that would light up June.
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
When it comes to NBA Finals matchups, it doesn’t get more iconic than Lakers vs. Celtics. The two most storied franchises in NBA history, with the Celtics holding 18 titles to the Lakers’ 17, would turn the 2025 Finals into a battle for ultimate supremacy. LeBron James and Luka Doncic have formed a lethal duo, dismantling defenses with their playmaking and scoring prowess.
On the other side, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are hungry to win back-to-back titles, with Tatum playing at an MVP level. The preliminary matchup on Saturday night, where the Celtics prevailed 111-101, gave us a taste of how intense this series could get. Expect seven games of tactical battles, star power, and a historic ending with Tatum finally lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy.
This series would be a test of depth and defensive adjustments. The Celtics’ ability to throw multiple wing defenders at Luka and LeBron, combined with their offensive versatility, might just give them the edge. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ supporting cast, featuring Austin Reaves’ sharpshooting would need to step up consistently.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, with LeBron chasing his fifth ring and Boston looking to cement their young core’s legacy. A Game 7 in TD Garden, with the banners hanging above, feels almost inevitable.
Predicted Outcome: Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers 4-3
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks
This is the Finals matchup that would break the internet. The Knicks, reaching the Finals for the first time since 1999, would send New York into a frenzy, while the Lakers bring Hollywood drama with LeBron and Luka headlining.
The contrast in styles would be fascinating: the Knicks’ grind-it-out, defensive identity led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns against the Lakers’ star-powered, offensive fireworks. Madison Square Garden and Crypto.com Arena would be buzzing with celebrities, legends, and storylines for days.
In terms of basketball, the Knicks would struggle to contain both LeBron and Luka without exhausting their limited defensive options. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges’ two-way play would be crucial, but the Lakers’ depth and firepower might be too much. The Knicks’ lack of a true superstar on the level of James and Doncic to match the Lakers’ duo could result in a respectable but ultimately unsuccessful six-game fight.
Predicted Outcome: Los Angeles Lakers vs. New York Knicks 4-2
3. Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks
Jimmy Butler’s arrival in Golden State has revived the Warriors, making them an immediate Finals threat. Pairing Butler’s two-way grit with Stephen Curry’s offensive brilliance creates a lethal combination.
Meanwhile, the Knicks, finally back in the Finals, bring the aura of a team with nothing to lose. A seven-game series between these two would be all about contrasting philosophies: the Warriors’ ball movement and experience against the Knicks’ physicality and hunger.
Curry’s ability to break games open from beyond the arc would force the Knicks’ defense to stretch thin, while Butler’s clutch playmaking would give them a needed edge late in games. For the Knicks, Brunson’s control of tempo and Towns’ inside-out scoring would be vital. Expect wild swings, heroic performances, and a series that could redefine both franchises’ futures.
Predicted Outcome: New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors 4-3
4. Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets
This is the Finals matchup we were supposed to get last season until Dallas pulled off a shocking upset. Now, with both teams more experienced and motivated, the Celtics vs. Nuggets series would be a masterclass in tactical basketball. Nikola Jokic’s playmaking wizardry against Boston’s switch-heavy defense led by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White would be a chess match worth every second.
On one end, Jayson Tatum’s ability to exploit mismatches and Jaylen Brown’s slashing would test Denver’s defensive schemes. The battle between Jamal Murray and MJrue Holiday/Derrick White could decide the series, with Murray’s scoring bursts countered by the pair’s relentless pressure. This series screams seven games, with Tatum’s Finals MVP campaign pushing Boston over the top.
Predicted Outcome: Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets 4-3
5. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Cavaliers making the Finals without LeBron would be a franchise-defining moment, and doing it against the young and fearless Thunder would be pure basketball poetry. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland form an explosive backcourt for Cleveland, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams bring a similar dynamic for OKC. This series would be all about guard play and clutch shot-making.
Evan Mobley’s defensive versatility could be the X-factor against a Thunder team that thrives on dribble penetration and kick-outs. For OKC, Chet Holmgren’s shot-blocking and three-point shooting would stretch Cleveland’s defense. Seven games of lead changes, buzzer-beaters, and two teams trying to prove they’re next in line in their respective conferences? Sign us up.
Predicted Outcome: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3
6. Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
This matchup feels like a look into what is to come in just a few months. With Boston’s battle-tested roster going against OKC’s rising stars, the Finals would feature elite perimeter scoring and tactical adjustments. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a revelation this season, but facing a defensive gauntlet of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown is another level entirely.
Boston’s experience and size would likely overwhelm the young Thunder. Expect Tatum to dominate mismatches and Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford to stretch OKC’s defense enough. As good as the Thunder have been, growing pains might just halt their run one step short of glory. We expect the Thunder to eventually win a title, but just not this year.
Predicted Outcome: Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2
7. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Denver Nuggets
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokic. Five MVP awards between them. This matchup would be a purist’s dream with elite passing bigs, versatile defense, and a clash of styles. The Nuggets’ floor-spacing and Jokic’s orchestration would stress the Bucks’ half-court defense, while Giannis attacking downhill would test Denver’s rim protection.
Ultimately, Denver’s depth, with Jamal Murray’s shot creation and Michael Porter Jr.’s scoring, might give them a slight edge. Six brutal, physical games with Jokic’s vision and clutch shooting tilting the series in Denver’s favor.
Predicted Outcome: Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks 4-2
8. Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors
The 2022 Finals rematch the Celtics have been waiting for. This time, with more experience and a deeper roster including Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston is better equipped to handle Curry’s off-ball movement and Draymond Green’s playmaking. Jimmy Butler adds a different dimension for Golden State, but Boston’s combination of wings could wear him down.
Tatum and Brown’s improved decision-making would punish the Warriors’ smaller lineups, while Al Horford’s and Porzingis’ ability to stretch the floor would open driving lanes. The Celtics’ defensive depth should prevail, earning them revenge in six and closing that chapter for them.
Predicted Outcome: Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors 4-2
9. New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant leading Memphis to the Finals would be a spectacle, but the Knicks’ depth and defensive edge could make this series lopsided. Jalen Brunson’s ability to control pace and KAT’s inside-outside presence would be problematic for the Grizzlies.
Memphis’ lack of perimeter shooting could allow the Knicks to pack the paint against Morant, leading to a shorter series. Four or five hard-fought games with the Knicks’ experience proving too much. In terms of highlight-reel plays, Morant competing in the Finals would be both unlikely and exciting.
Predicted Outcome: New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4-1
10. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards trying to dethrone Giannis in his first Finals would be a storyline for the ages. The Timberwolves’ frontcourt with Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle would present size challenges, but Milwaukee’s versatility should prevail because they can fight that with their own frontcourt including Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, and the returned Bobby Portis.
Giannis’ two-way dominance and Dame’s clutch shooting would overwhelm Minnesota’s defense. Edwards would have his moments, but six games might be the max for the Timberwolves’ first Finals trip. Overall, this would be an exciting matchup because Edwards would show he could be the face of the NBA with his first Finals at 23 years old.
Predicted Outcome: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2
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