Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning three-point basket in Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. David Richard-Imagn Images

NBA playoffs are giving us the madness that March didn't

By Chris Peterson | Last updated May 6, 2025 11:52 PM ET

One complaint fans have had about the NBA playoffs over the years is the lack of upsets.

There have been more in recent years as Cinderella runs have become more common, just not as common as in the NCAA Tournament. They do call it March Madness for a reason.

This past March was pretty tame, though. Not only was there a lack of upsets, the NCAA Tournament also had a notable lack of buzzer-beaters.

So far, the NBA playoffs are delivering on both accounts.

In the first round, there were two upsets, as the seventh-seeded Warriors knocked out the Rockets (No. 2 in the West) in seven. The Timberwolves ended the Lakers' season in five (No. 6 over No. 3).

Usually, the second round is when the championship contenders separate themselves. This year, though, NBA fans have been treated to madness, and it has been spectacular.

On Monday night, Aaron Gordon knocked down a three-pointer to cap an improbable comeback for the Nuggets over Oklahoma City, the top seed in the Western Conference.

NEEDED TO SEE THIS AGAIN pic.twitter.com/AGLUldfoGq
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 6, 2025

Oklahoma City isn't the only No. 1 seed falling behind. The Cleveland Cavaliers, the top seed in the East, are down 2-0 to the Indiana Pacers after another heroic moment for Tyrese Haliburton.

Haliburton was clutch down the stretch in the Pacers' Game 1 win, scoring 22 points. Yet, that was no match for what he did in Game 2 in the 120-119 win.

With the Pacers trailing by three points, Haliburton drew a two-shot foul. After making the first free throw, the Indiana star missed the second, got his rebound and buried a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to give the 50-win Pacers a 2-0 lead over the 64-win Cavs.

WHAT CAITLIN CLARK SAID #YesCers #NowYouKnow pic.twitter.com/PJWdTDGqi3
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) May 7, 2025

In addition to game-winning shots, upsets and blown leads, like the 20-point edge Boston squandered against New York on Monday night, lower-seeded teams have started a perfect 4-0 this round.

It's everything we wanted in March. Hopefully, the May Madness continues.

Chris Peterson

Chris is a sports fanatic with 20 years of sports writing experience. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, FanSided and Yardbarker. He’s covered the NFL, high school sports and everything in between.

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