How Underdogs Forced 3 Game 7s in Wild, Wild East

The Eastern Conference playoffs turned wild in the first round alone, and there’s more to come.

Toronto Raptors guard R.J. Barrett (9) and Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) celebrate during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors, in Atlanta, on Jan. 25, 2025. Kathryn Skeean/AP Photo

Apparently, the New York Knicks caught the memo and escaped before the Atlanta Hawks had a chance to join the party.

This year’s Easter Conference playoffs have turned wild, and the first round isn’t over yet. Three of the four lower-seeded teams in the Eastern Conference caused their respective series to reach Game 7 this week, the most for the quarterfinal round of the NBA Playoffs since 2014.