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Magic Johnson Predicts NBA Finals Matchup Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated May 20, 2025 12:08 PM ET

Just four teams remain in the 2025 NBA playoffs — The No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder, No. 6 Seed Minnesota Timberwolves, No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers, and No. 3 seed New York Knicks.

And while many had the Thunder going all the way when the postseason started a few weeks ago, it’s safe to say not many analysts believed the Timberwolves would be among the NBA’s final four teams left.

Those same analysts likely would’ve predicted one or both of the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers or No. 2-seeded Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champions, to be competing for a spot in the Finals as well.

However, injuries to top stars like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, plus Jayson Tatum really hampered Cleveland and Boston in their respective second-round series.

But with the final four teams locked in, Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson seems confident he knows which two will be playing each other in the NBA Finals in a little over a week.

“I have the New Knicks beating the Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves beating the Oklahoma City Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals!” Johnson wrote on X.

I have the New Knicks beating the Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves beating the Oklahoma City Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 20, 2025

The Knicks went 2-1 against the Pacers during the regular season.

In those three games, Jalen Brunson (22.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game) and Karl-Anthony Towns (30.3 points and 12 rebounds) dominated for New York. Brunson is the fifth-leading scorer in the playoffs, averaging 28.8 points along with 7.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Indiana’s best performer in those same games was Benedict Mathurin, who averaged 25.3 points while coming off the bench in two of them.

Conversely, the Thunder and Timberwolves split their series during the regular season two games apiece.

Oklahoma City boasts MVP front-runner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranks fourth in the postseason with 29 points per game along with 6.4 assists and 5.9 rebounds per contest, and it will be a tough out for anyone.

However, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who’s averaging 26.5 points, eight rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game through two series is having a star-making playoff run.

Many believe the 23-year-old former No. 1 overall pick has carried Minnesota to series wins over LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in Round 1, and Golden State Warriors in Round 2 (though they were without Steph Curry for much of that series).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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