Spring is here, and for most basketball fans, it’s the start of their favorite time of year: the NBA playoffs!
A total of 16 postseason wins will get any playoff team the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Which teams will be playing when the NBA Finals begin on June 6? Will the Denver Nuggets repeat? And what about the Boston Celtics, which had the best record in the regular season?
Until a champion is crowned, The Athletic will continue selecting fascinating and insightful images. Catch a glimpse of some of April’s NBA action in this month’s photo gallery.
A fan in Milwaukee gets a face full of Gary Trent Jr.’s shoes as the Raptors guard attempts to save the ball against the Bucks.
Javonte Green of the Bulls knows how the fan in the previous photo feels after taking this kick from Josh Hart of the Knicks in Chicago. Hart was ejected from the game.
Jaxson Hayes of the Lakers enjoys his flush against the Timberwolves in Los Angeles.
Grayson Allen and Devin Booker of the Suns force Herbert Jones of the Pelicans to lose the ball on this trap in Phoenix.
Jarace Walker of the Pacers ensures Nic Claxton of the Nets can’t see on this shot attempt in Indianapolis. Walker was called for a foul on the play.
Speaking of fouls, Draymond Green of the Warriors slams into Luka Dončić of the Mavericks as Dončić drives to the basket in San Francisco.
This isn’t a WWE match, just Damian Lillard of the Bucks and Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks wrestling for control of the ball in Milwaukee.
Kelly Oubre Jr. of the 76ers denies James Wiseman of the Pistons from getting to the rim in Philadelphia.
Ayo Dosunmu of the Bulls has nowhere to go but down after charging into Jalen Brunson of the Knicks in Chicago.
Trey Murphy III of the Pelicans rejoices after scoring against the Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore.
Jordan Nwora of the Raptors has trouble releasing this shot as Noah Clowney of the Nets applies some stifling defense in New York.
In a bizarre play, Torrey Craig and Andre Drummond of the Bulls both miss a slam against the Knicks in Chicago. Craig tried to throw an alley-oop to himself off the backboard, but Drummond assumed it was intended for him.
Malachi Flynn and Jared Rhoden of the Pistons fight for a rebound with Kelly Oubre Jr. of the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Stephen Curry had another great season, but at 36 can he carry the offensive load again for Golden State in 2024-25? Curry’s season ended in a Play-In Tournament loss to the Kings in Sacramento.
LeBron James of the Lakers gets off a shot somehow despite the defense of CJ McCollum (left) and Trey Murphy III of the Pelicans during a Play-In Tournament game in New Orleans.
Maxi Kleber of the Mavericks gets crushed as teammate Derrick Jones Jr. soars for a dunk and Mason Plumlee of the Clippers defends (pushes?) during Game 2 of their first-round playoff series in Los Angeles.
After getting fouled by Caleb Martin of the Heat, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics delivers a Rockettes-style move during Game 1 in Boston.
Darius Garland of the Cavaliers and Jalen Suggs of the Magic scramble for a loose ball during Game 1 in Cleveland.
LeBron James of the Lakers has a great view of Reggie Jackson’s drive to the rim during Game 2 in Denver. More on this game later.
Mike Conley of the Timberwolves is 36, but he proves on this save that he still has some hops during Game 2 against the Suns in Minneapolis.
Jae Crowder of the Bucks collides with Aaron Nesmith of the Pacers on a drive during Game 2 in Milwaukee. Nesmith was assessed a blocking foul.
Jamal Murray of the Nuggets rises over Anthony Davis of the Lakers to release the game-winning basket in Game 2 in Denver.
It’s difficult shooting over 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren of the Thunder as CJ McCollum of the Pelicans learns during Game 3 in New Orleans.
Usually, it’s Evan Mobley of the Cavaliers doing the shot-blocking, but this time Moritz Wagner of the Magic gets the better of Mobley during Game 4 in Orlando, Fla.
Parting shot
CJ McCollum of the Pelicans embraces his 2-year-old son, Jacobi, before taking the court against the Lakers in New Orleans.
Related reading
How an NBA Getty Images photographer captures the perfect shot
Related viewing
March: Anthony Edwards (dunks!), Jalen Johnson (dunks!) and more
February: Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis, Victor Wembanyama and more
January: Victor Wembanyama, Steph Curry, The Coyote and more
December: LeBron James, Giannis, Luka Dončić and more
November: Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, Draymond Green and more
June: Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Jimmy Butler, Victor Wembanyama and more
May: Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Joel Embiid and more
(Top photo of Tyrese Haliburton: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)