Denver still has the best player in the world in Nikola Jokić. With a exception of a down postseason from his running mate in 2024, Jokić and Jamal Murray are among the league's bigger playoff risers. And the Nuggets ending the season 3-0 under their interim coach could be more than the typical "new coach bump."

Golden State vs. Houston will represent the old guard vs. the up-and-comers. Will Jimmy Butler be the key to the Warriors' fifth title in 11 years?

After nearly three weeks of waiting, the Houston Rockets now know who they will face in their first playoff series in five years. The Golden State Warriors won Tuesday night's play-in game over Memphis to earn the Western Conference's No.