Brunson. Edwards. A bold new Finals matchup. Is the NBA’s future finally here?
With just four teams left in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Magic Johnson isn’t waiting for the games to decide history, he’s calling it now.
“I have the New York Knicks beating the Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves beating the Oklahoma City Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals!”
— Magic Johnson via X (formerly Twitter)
It’s a bold prediction and one that’s setting social media on fire.
Brunson vs. Haliburton: Knicks Ready for the East Crown
The Knicks are rolling into the Eastern Conference Finals behind Jalen Brunson’s postseason brilliance, while the Indiana Pacers, led by rising star Tyrese Haliburton, are riding momentum and speed.
Brunson is averaging 28.8 points and 7.7 assists this postseason, playing with grit, control, and a killer instinct that has carried New York through two rounds. His leadership has the Knicks dreaming of their first Finals appearance in decades.
But Indiana is no pushover. Young gun Bennedict Mathurin has emerged as a dynamic scoring threat, and the Pacers’ up-tempo, team-first style makes them a legit threat to crash Magic’s vision.
Wolves on the Hunt: Ant-Man Leads the Way
Meanwhile in the West, the Timberwolves are the story of the postseason.
Despite being a No. 6 seed and losing Karl-Anthony Towns for stretches of the season, Anthony Edwards has turned into a full-on superstar — and then some. Edwards is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, and has already knocked out the Lakers and Warriors on the way here.
His next challenge? MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been a rock for the top-seeded Thunder. SGA is posting 29 points per game this postseason and has OKC playing surgical, efficient basketball.
The Thunder–Wolves series is a toss-up, but Magic’s siding with Ant-Man.
Why Magic’s Prediction Matters
This isn’t just a casual fan pick, Magic Johnson is one of the most respected minds in the sport, and his Finals forecast reflects a broader trend across the league:
The old guard is out. The new stars are in.
With Brunson, Edwards, Haliburton, and Gilgeous-Alexander all under 27, this year’s conference finals are more than just a championship battle, they’re a torch-passing moment.
And if Magic’s prediction comes true, the 2025 NBA Finals could be the start of a whole new era, one where flashy, fearless, and fresh faces take center stage.