The Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after a dominant sweep over the Miami Heat in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. As the top seed, they await the winner of the 4-5 series between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, with Indiana currently leading the series 3-1. Cleveland's performance this season against these potential opponents varied, as they lost the season series to the Pacers but swept the Bucks. The Cavaliers' next game date is contingent on the outcome of the Pacers-Bucks series, with potential start dates on May 2 or May 3. Cleveland's last playoff encounter with the Pacers was in 2018, while they've never faced the Bucks in the playoffs before.

The Cavaliers secured their spot in the Eastern Conference semifinals by sweeping the Miami Heat with a decisive 55-point win in Game 4 of the first round.

Cleveland, as the No. 1 seed, will face either the Indiana Pacers or the Milwaukee Bucks in the next round, and the NBA's bracket structure means they will not be re-seeded.

Indiana currently holds a 3-1 lead over Milwaukee in their series, giving them a strong chance to advance and face Cleveland next.

The Cavaliers lost their regular-season series to the Pacers 1-3, though these losses came when Cleveland was resting key players towards the season's end.

Cleveland dominated their regular-season matchups against the Bucks, winning all four games, and have never met Milwaukee in playoff history.

The start of the Cavaliers' next series depends on the Pacers-Bucks outcome; if Indiana wins soon, the second round begins on May 3, otherwise, it could start on May 2.

Gilbert McGregor, who has been with The Sporting News since 2018, highlights the strategic dynamics and historical context of the Cavaliers' potential playoff matchups.

To open the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Heat in historically dominant fashion. Now, they wait.

Cleveland looked the part of a No. 1 seed as it punched its ticket to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 55-point win over Miami in Game 4. As the conference's top seed, the Cavs now await the winner of the East's 4-5 playoff series.

Who do the Cavaliers play next and when? Here is everything to know about Cleveland's next opponent in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

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Who do the Cavaliers play next?

The Cavaliers will play either the No. 4 Pacers or the No. 5 Bucks in the second round. Unlike some other professional sports leagues, the NBA does not re-seed in the second round, and the Cavs' opponent will come from the same side of the bracket.

Indiana is one win away from advancing as it holds a 3-1 series lead over Milwaukee. The Pacers have an opportunity to close out the series when they host the Bucks on Tuesday, April 29, at 6 p.m. ET.

Because all three teams are in the same division, Cleveland played both Indiana and Milwaukee four times this season. 

Interestingly, the Cavaliers lost the season series to the Pacers, 1-3, but it is worth noting that the final two meetings between Cleveland and Indiana came during the final week of the regular season. At that point, the Pacers were still playing for seeding while the Cavaliers rested key players.

Cleveland swept the regular-season series with Milwaukee, 4-0.

The Cavs' last playoff meeting with the Pacers came in 2018 when Cleveland won a hard-fought seven-game series. The Cavs and Bucks have never met in the NBA Playoffs.

MORE: Cavs join list of biggest blowouts in NBA Playoffs history

When do the Cavaliers play next?

The date of the Cavaliers' next game has not yet been determined. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals will depend on the finish of the Pacers-Bucks series.

If Indiana closes out on Tuesday, Cleveland would open the second round at home on Saturday, May 3, per Tom Withers of the Associated Press.

If the Bucks extend the series with a win on Tuesday, Game 6 would be played on Friday, May 2, delaying the beginning of the Cavs' second-round series.