The NBA's Final Four is officially established as the Indiana Pacers face off against the New York Knicks in a surprising matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the West. This year's conference finals showcase a remarkable degree of parity in the league, with the Knicks being the most recent championship winners among the teams, having captured the title in the 1972-73 season. The remaining three franchises have yet to claim an NBA championship, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the postseason.

Both the Eastern Conference Finals and the Western Conference matchup feature players whose contributions could significantly sway the outcome of the series. In particular, the Eastern Conference showdown will highlight various X-factors. For the Pacers, OG Anunoby is positioned for a strong two-way performance against his former Toronto Raptors teammate, Pascal Siakam. Similarly, Aaron Nesmith brings defensive toughness and versatility necessary to contain Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. However, Mitchell Robinson may emerge as a pivotal figure for the Knicks, demonstrating that impactful play does not always correlate with high statistics. Despite averaging only 4.7 points per game against the Boston Celtics, he showcased his defensive prowess by averaging 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals over limited minutes. His defensive output was critical as the Knicks posted a remarkable plus-46 rating during his time on the court. In stark contrast, Indiana, despite their five-game series win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, struggled significantly on the boards. Robinson's physicality may prove to be a deciding factor in this series.

In the West, Anthony Edwards is rapidly establishing himself as an elite postseason scorer, currently ranking tenth in NBA playoff history for points per game at 27.4, surpassing legends such as Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. Nevertheless, facing the Thunder's formidable defense could prove challenging for Edwards. The Thunder boasted the highest defensive rating in the regular season and continue to dominate defensively in the playoffs. Edwards previously struggled against Oklahoma City's defense in the regular season, prompting questions about his performance in this series. The Thunder's roster includes a wealth of athletic defenders, such as Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, who will likely take turns guarding Edwards. Alongside their rim protector Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City should present a comprehensive defensive challenge for the versatile scorer. Meanwhile, the Pacers have effectively leveraged their depth throughout the season, creating mismatches that contributed to their series victory over the Cavaliers. However, Indiana's bench strategy may face challenges against the Knicks, who primarily utilize their starting lineup. The Pacers will need to adapt as they enter the matchup.

As the series unfolds, the contest between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Edwards will draw significant attention. Gilgeous-Alexander, having led the NBA in scoring during the regular season, is expected to maintain his offensive dominance. The Oklahoma City franchise record for points in a single playoff game is held by Russell Westbrook, who scored 51 points in a memorable performance. With the team now relying heavily on Gilgeous-Alexander, observers anticipate he may eclipse that record in this postseason. His prior success against the Timberwolves, where he averaged 35.0 points in their regular season meetings, underscores his potential impact in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference Finals will feature two of the NBA's most clutch players: Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton. Both athletes have delivered late-game heroics, with Brunson recently recognized as the league's Clutch Player of the Year. Their performances in tightly contested games will be essential as the series progresses. Given that the Knicks have had to come from behind in numerous playoff scenarios, the late-game execution by both players should create intriguing moments. As the conference finals approach, fans can expect high-stakes basketball filled with thrilling performances and notable player matchups.