The NBA Playoffs are lastly right here. For those who’re on the lookout for showstopping photographs, monster dunks, and ankle-breaking antics, look no additional than basketball’s greatest stage, culminating within the NBA Finals. How will you be watching? You can convey everybody collectively, sit them down on a sofa, and watch TV along with your conventional cable package deal. Or, like most individuals at this level, get on a video streaming service and watch from anyplace.
In terms of dwell sports activities, an important factor to know is when the video games are and what time they begin. Following the conclusion of the SoFi Play-In Match, the total playoff image is ready and the primary spherical is underway. This spherical goes by way of the start of Could earlier than we get into the Convention Semifinals and Convention Finals. All of it culminates within the NBA Finals, beginning on June 3. This is learn how to watch.
2026 NBA Playoffs: Schedule and The place to Watch
(Credit score: NBA)
Beginning this yr, the NBA has break up playoff video games between ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon. In line with the settlement, ESPN/ABC will broadcast 18 video games within the first two rounds, one convention finals in 10 of the 11 years, and the NBA Finals. NBC/Peacock will broadcast 28 playoff video games within the first two rounds and one convention last in six of the 11 years. Beforehand, the Play-In Match aired on ESPN and TNT, however all six video games are solely broadcast on Prime Video for the subsequent 11 seasons. Amazon will even carry roughly one-third of the primary two playoff rounds, in addition to one of many convention finals in six of the 11 years.
Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8)
Recreation 3: April 25, 1 p.m. – NBC/Peacock
Recreation 4: April 27, 8 p.m. – NBC/Peacock
Recreation 5: April 29, TBD
Recreation 6: Could 1, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 3, TBD
Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7)
Recreation 3: April 24, 7 p.m. ET – Prime Video
Recreation 4: April 26, 7 p.m. ET – NBC
Recreation 5: April 28, 7 p.m. ET – ESPN
Recreation 6: April 30, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 2, TBD
New York Knicks (3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6)
Recreation 4: April 25, 6 p.m. ET – NBC
Recreation 5: April 28, 8 p.m. ET – NBC/Peacock
Recreation 6: April 30, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 2, TBD
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5)
Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (8)
Recreation 3: April 25, 3:30 p.m. ET – NBC
Recreation 4: April 27, 1 p.m. ET – ESPN
Recreation 5: April 29, TBD
Recreation 6: Could 1, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 3, TBD
San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Portland Path Blazers (7)
Recreation 3: April 24, 10:30 p.m. ET – Prime Video
Recreation 4: April 26, 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
Recreation 5: April 28, 9:30 p.m, ET – ESPN
Recreation 6: April 30, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 2, TBD
Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
Recreation 4: April 25, 8:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Recreation 5: April 27, 10:30 p.m. ET – NBC/Peacock
Recreation 6: April 30, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 2, TBD
LA Lakers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5)
Recreation 3: April 24, 8 p.m. ET – Prime Video
Recreation 4: April 26, 9:30 p.m. ET – NBC
Recreation 5: April 29, TBD
Recreation 6: Could 1, TBD
Recreation 7: Could 3, TBD
Learn how to Stream the 2026 NBA Playoffs
If you wish to watch each recreation of the NBA Playoffs with out worrying about which community is broadcasting every recreation, there are streaming choices that allow you to watch every little thing. Sadly, for the reason that video games are unfold throughout three corporations—Disney, Comcast, and Amazon—you will doubtless have to do some looking to search out one of the best package deal that covers as many video games as potential.
Amazon Prime Video: For those who’re an Amazon Prime member, you have already got entry to the video games broadcast by Amazon. Prime prices $14.99 per 30 days or $139 yearly. For an additional $4.99 per 30 days, the Extremely plan will even offer you 4K streaming.
DirecTV: The $89.99 Leisure package deal provides you entry to ABC, NBC, and ESPN.
ESPN Choose: Stream dwell sports activities and archived ESPN exhibits beginning at $12.99 per 30 days.
Fubo: Fubo carries ABC and ESPN, which you may get by way of the Sports activities plan for $55.99 per 30 days. There may be additionally a quarterly priced choice.
Hulu + Dwell TV: The ad-supported, $89.99-per-month dwell TV package deal allows you to stream ABC and ESPN.
Peacock: For $10.99 per 30 days, Peacock Premium will grant you entry to all playoff video games broadcast on NBC and the streaming app.
Sling: Sling’s Orange & Blue bundle consists of ABC, NBC, and ESPN for $60.99 per 30 days. There are cheaper packages accessible in the event you solely want a few of these channels.
YouTube TV: The streamer’s Sports activities Plan consists of ABC, NBC, and ESPN for $64.99 per 30 days
As a reminder, you will need to allow your TV’s motion-smoothing choice for one of the best image whereas watching the NBA Playoffs and different televised sporting occasions. Equally as essential, bear in mind to show it off once you’re completed, so your TV exhibits and flicks do not have that dreaded “cleaning soap opera impact.”
PCMag’s Prime-Rated Dwell TV Streaming Companies
Can You Watch the NBA Playoffs With a VPN?
For those who’re watching outdoors the US and video games are unavailable in your nation, strive a VPN. Set the area to a US location to entry native streaming content material. You may additionally have the ability to unlock content material accessible from different areas, even in the event you’re within the US. As an illustration, Amazon has the rights to broadcast playoff video games (together with the Finals) in Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Eire. If you do not have ESPN or ABC, however do have Prime, you would possibly have the ability to use a VPN right here. The identical might be stated for Disney+ in the event you entry it from sure Asian and European markets.
Really useful by Our Editors
Not all VPN providers work effectively with all streaming providers, however one of the best VPNs for sports activities streaming will ship excessive speeds with out information limits. Nice choices embrace Editors’ Selection winners NordVPN and Proton VPN. Try our really helpful VPNs for iPhones and Android gadgets in the event you’re watching on the go.
PCMag-Really useful VPN Companies
For extra on learn how to watch basketball, try our roundup of one of the best NBA streaming providers.
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