Exclusive: Former NBA Star Olumide Oyedeji Hails Unpredictable Playoffs as Underdogs Shine

Former Orlando Magic player Olumide Oyedeji believes the 2024-2025 NBA season will be remembered for its unpredictability and surprises. 

The second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs has delivered major shocks. The Boston Celtics’ hopes of retaining their title have been dashed, several top players have been eliminated, and the No. 1 seed in the East has already exited the competition. The final four teams—Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks—were hardly expected by most analysts at the season's outset.

The unexpected matchups in the Conference Finals guarantee a surprise showdown in the 2025 NBA Finals, promising fans continued excitement and high-level basketball.

Speaking with SportsBoom, Oyedeji, who spent two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, commented on the unpredictable nature of this season.

"The playoffs haven’t gone as expected, with several major upsets shaking things up. But that’s the beauty of basketball—it keeps fans engaged and the game exciting," Oyedeji told SportsBoom.com. 

"No one anticipated that championship-caliber teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers would be knocked out so early. They’re a solid team, but credit must go to the Indiana Pacers for their belief, effort, and execution."

Knicks End Celtics’ Reign in Eastern Conference

The defending champions, Boston Celtics, failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals following a 5-2 series defeat to the New York Knicks. 

The Knicks capped off their victory with a 119-81 win, advancing to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years. Josh Hart recorded his first career playoff triple-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.

They will now face a familiar rival, the Indiana Pacers, rekindling a classic rivalry from the 1990s. This will be the seventh playoff meeting between the two teams, with each having won three of the previous six encounters.

"The Boston Celtics' elimination came as a major surprise. That’s the unpredictable nature of playoff basketball—anything can happen, but credit to the Knicks. I really enjoyed watching them," Oyedeji added.

Thunder Advance in the West

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder booked their place in the finals after a dominant Game 7 win over the Denver Nuggets. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead the Thunder to a convincing 125-93 home victory, while Denver’s Nikola Jokić managed just 20 points.

"It was a hard-fought battle between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets, and few would have predicted it would go to a Game 7 with OKC coming out on top."

"Denver has a talented roster, but OKC simply played better and earned the win."

Timberwolves' Consistency Shines Through

Another powerhouse, the Golden State Warriors, failed to make an impact this postseason, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

The Timberwolves have been one of the most consistent and convincing teams in this year’s playoffs.

Oyedeji praised the Timberwolves for their discipline and execution, while also highlighting the Warriors’ costly mistakes.

"The Timberwolves reaching the finals is another testament to how different the playoffs are from the regular season. Every possession, mistake, and moment of focus matters, and the teams that manage those details best usually come out on top."

Disappointment for the Lakers

Oyedeji also shared his thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers’ underwhelming season. Despite a strong start and winning the in-season tournament, the Lakers struggled with offensive consistency and were eliminated in the first round by the Timberwolves.

"As for the Lakers, their season was a bit of a rollercoaster. They played well after Luka Dončić joined, but dominating in the NBA is tough."

"With around thirty scouts analysing every move, it’s a constant chess match. Ultimately, the Lakers fell short, especially when it came to rebounding and controlling the boards. Still, they gave it their all."