After the New York Knicks eliminated them in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Boston Celtics won't be in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2021.
The Knicks' next opponent will be the Indiana Pacers, and their series will start on Wednesday. This is the second consecutive time the two have faced off, but the first time they've faced off in the Eastern Conference finals since 2000.
Former Celtics MVP candidate Isaiah Thomas chimed in on who he thought would represent the Eastern Conference in the 2025 NBA Finals. He also explained why he picked who he picked.
Former NBA guard Isaiah Thomas (4)
Former NBA guard Isaiah Thomas (4)
Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas posted his prediction via his X account while also giving his pick for the Western Conference finals.
"I’m going for Knicks in that series cuz I rock with Brunson! I’m going with Minny in that series! Can’t root for OKC just cuz those are my Sonics!!! OKC has the best TEAM tho," Thomas wrote with an eyeballs emoji at the end.
It's self-explanatory why Thomas is fond of Brunson. Besides briefly being teammates with him when they played for the Dallas Mavericks together during the 2021-22 season, Brunson is an All-Star much shorter than other stars around the league, much like Thomas was.
Like Brunson has done with the Knicks this season, Thomas also guided the Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals in 2017 in his last season with the team. Brunson guided the Knicks to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000, where they coincidentally faced the Pacers.
If the Knicks win, it will be the first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, where they coincidentally beat the Pacers to reach that stage.