Within the NBA Playoffs 2026 draw, the Thunder and Rockets have gained the lottery. Barring a colossal early upset, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reigning champs will find yourself dealing with Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets or Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs, instantly after they’ve gone toe-to-toe with one another. Houston, in the meantime, have a First Spherical tie with a Lakers workforce lacking their two finest gamers — Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
You’ll be able to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 stay streams from anyplace with a VPN and probably for FREE!
The Thunder, Spurs and Nuggets, the No.1, No.2 and No.3 seeds within the Western Convention, are arguably the three strongest groups within the entirety of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The Detroit Pistons topped the Japanese Convention standings, however as robust as their protection is, their offense leaves lots to be desired.
The No.2-seeded Celtics, in the meantime, are balanced on either side of the ball, and though Jayson Tatum remains to be feeling his manner again, Boston had been one of many hottest groups within the league down the stretch. It will be an upset if the Knicks, seeded No.3, had been to exit by the hands of the Hawks, however not a shock.
The Nuggets have the sting over the Spurs by way of expertise, this being Wemby’s first style of the postseason and San Antonio’s first Playoff marketing campaign since 2019, and it is value remembering that they took OKC to Sport 7 final 12 months within the convention semifinals.
Try all the TV and streaming particulars beneath to learn how to look at NBA Playoffs 2026 from anyplace, together with free choices.
NBA Playoffs schedule 2026
PLAY-IN
Tuesday, April 14
7:30 p.m. — Warmth vs Hornets | Prime Video
10 p.m. — Blazers vs Suns | Prime Video
Wednesday, April 15
7:30 p.m. — Magic vs 76ers | Prime Video
10 p.m. — Warriors vs Clippers | Prime Video
Friday, April 17
6:09 p.m. — Hornets vs Magic | Prime Video
8:09 p.m. — Warriors vs Suns | Prime Video
FIRST ROUND
Nuggets vs Timberwolves
Saturday, April 18, 3:30 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Nuggets | Prime
Monday, April 20, 10:30 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Nuggets | NBC
Thursday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. — Sport 3 @ Timberwolves | Prime
Saturday, April 25, 8:30 p.m. — Sport 4 @ Timberwolves | ABC
Monday, April 27 — Sport 5 @ Nuggets | If wanted
Thursday, April 30 — Sport 6 @ Timberwolves | If wanted
Saturday, Could 2 — Sport 7 @Nuggets | If wanted
Lakers vs Rockets
Saturday, April 18, 8:30 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Lakers | ABC
Tuesday, April 21, 10:30 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Lakers | NBC
Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. — Sport 3 @ Rockets | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. — Sport 4 @ Rockets | NBC
Wednesday, April 29 — Sport 5 @ Lakers | If wanted
Friday, Could 1 — Sport 6 @ Rockets | If wanted
Sunday, Could 3 — Sport 7 @ Lakers | If wanted
Spurs vs Path Blazers
Sunday, April 19, 9 p.m. — Sport 1 @Spurs | NBC
Tuesday, April 21, 8 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Spurs | NBC
Friday, April 24, 10:30 p.m. — Sport 3 @Path Blazers | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. — Sport 4 @ Path Blazers| ESPN
Tuesday, April 28 — Sport 5 @ Spurs | If wanted
Thursday, April 30 — Sport 6 @ Path Blazers | If wanted
Saturday, Could 2 — Sport 7 @ Spurs | If wanted
Thunder vs Suns/Warriors
Sunday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Thunder | ABC
Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Thunder | ESPN
Saturday, April 25, 3:30 p.m. — Sport 3 @TBD | NBC
Monday, April 27 — Sport 4 @ TBD
Wednesday, April 29 — Sport 5 @ Thunder | If wanted
Friday, Could 1 — Sport 6 @ TBD | If wanted
Sunday, Could 3 — Sport 7 @ Thunder | If wanted
Knicks vs Hawks
Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Knicks | Prime
Monday, April 20, 8 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Knicks | NBC
Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. — Sport 3 @ Hawks | Prime
Saturday, April 25, 6 p.m. — Sport 4 @Hawks | NBC
Tuesday, April 28 — Sport 5 @ Knicks | If wanted
Thursday, April 30 — Sport 6 @ Hawks | If wanted
Saturday, Could 2 — Sport 7 @ Knicks | If wanted
Cavaliers vs Raptors
Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Cavaliers | Prime
Monday, April 20, 7 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Cavaliers | Peacock
Thursday, April 23, 8 p.m. — Sport 3 @ Raptors | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 1 p.m. — Sport 4 @ Raptors | ESPN
Wednesday, April 29 — Sport 5 @ Cavaliers | If wanted
Friday, Could 1 — Sport 6 @ Raptors | If wanted
Sunday, Could 3 — Sport 7 @ Cavaliers | If wanted
Pistons vs Magic/Hornets
Sunday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Pistons | NBC
Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Pistons | ESPN
Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. — Sport 3 @ TBD | Peacock
Monday, April 27 — Sport 4 @ TBD | TBD
Wednesday, April 29 — Sport 5 @ Pistons | If wanted
Friday, Could 1 — Sport 6 @ TBD | If wanted
Sunday, Could 3 — Sport 7 @ Pistons | If wanted
Celtics vs 76ers
Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. — Sport 1 @ Celtics | ABC
Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. — Sport 2 @ Celtics | Peacock
Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. — Sport 3 @ 76ers | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m. — Sport 4 @ 76ers | NBC
Tuesday, April 28 — Sport 5 @ Celtics | If wanted
Thursday, April 30 — Sport 6 @ 76ers | If wanted
Saturday, Could 2 — Sport 7 @ Celtics | If wanted
(All instances ET)
Watch NBA Playoffs 2026 stay streams for FREE
You’ll be able to watch choose NBA Playoff video games free-of-charge on the NBA YouTube channel in India and on CCTV5 in China.
Away from dwelling? You could not be capable of watch the motion such as you usually would as a result of regional restrictions. Happily, there’s a straightforward resolution — you’ll be able to use a VPN to to unblock that free NBA protection. Particulars beneath…
Easy methods to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 from anyplace
Away from dwelling in the intervening time and blocked from watching the NBA Playoffs in your regular subscription?
You’ll be able to nonetheless tune in stay due to the wonders of a VPN (Digital Personal Community). The software program permits your units to look as in the event that they’re again in your house nation no matter the place on the planet you might be. So best for viewers away on trip or on enterprise. Our favourite is Surfshark. It is among the many finest available on the market:
Utilizing a VPN is extremely easy.
1. Set up the VPN of your alternative. As we have stated, Surfshark is our favourite.
2. Select the situation you want to hook up with within the VPN app. For example, should you’re visiting the U.Ok. and wish to view a U.S. service, choose ‘United States’ from the checklist.
3. Sit again and benefit from the present. Head to Sling, register, and watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs stay.
Easy methods to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 stay streams within the U.S.
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Within the U.S., the NBA Playoffs are being televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and NBC.
In the event you’ve already lower the twine and haven’t got a cable bundle, you may get all of these channels via an OTT cable TV different.
Sling gives you essentially the most bang in your buck. Sling Blue consists of native community associates from FOX, NBC and ABC (availability varies by market). Sling Orange carries ESPN and ESPN2.
Each plans begin at $46/month, however you’ll be able to mix them for $66/month. You may get 50% off your first month should you subscribe to Blue or Orange & Blue.
Choose video games are unique to Prime Video, which prices $14.99/month or $139/12 months after a 30-day FREE trial.
ESPN and ABC simulcast their protection on ESPN Limitless, which carries ESPN Choose and all ESPN channels, and prices $29.99/month or $299.99/12 months.
NBC simulcasts its video games on Peacock. You may want a minimum of a Premium plan to look at stay sports activities, together with the Premier League, beginning at $10.99/month or $109.99/12 months.
YouTube TV, the DirecTV Stream MySports Style Pack and Hulu With Stay TV may also get you complete NBA Playoffs protection, whereas the Fubo Sports activities + Information plan carries ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 as customary.
Easy methods to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 stay streams within the U.Ok.
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Within the U.Ok., the NBA Playoffs are cut up between Prime Video and Sky Sports activities.
Prime Video’s protection consists of the NBA Finals. A subscription prices £8.99/month or £95/12 months after a 30-day FREE trial.
Sky Sports activities packages begin from £22/month should you’re an current buyer — ot try Sky TV offers and packages if you wish to join. Alternatively, Now Sports activities presents Each day, Month-to-month and Annual passes. Costs begin at £14.99 for 24-hour entry.
Alternatively, complete NBA Playoffs protection is on the market via NBA League Move, which begins at £16.99/month or £37.99 for the remainder of the season.
In the event you’re not within the U.Ok. proper now however already subscribe to one in every of these providers, strive utilizing Surfshark to look at the 2026 NBA Playoffs as should you had been again at dwelling.
Easy methods to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 stay streams in Canada
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In Canada, NBA Playoffs protection is cut up between Sportsnet and TSN.
TSN+ grants entry to every part TSN has to supply for CA$8/month or CA$80/12 months, and you may stream video games stay on Sportsnet Plus, which begins at CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/12 months.
In the event you stay in Canada however aren’t at dwelling proper now, you’ll be able to nonetheless watch NBA Playoffs 2026 through the use of a high quality VPN like Surfshark to unlock your regular service.
Easy methods to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 stay streams in Australia
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In Australia, NBA Playoffs protection is on the market on ESPN by way of Foxtel, in addition to Kayo Sports activities and Disney Plus.
Kayo plans begin from AU$30/month after a 7-day FREE trial, and embody NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 2026 and extra.
Disney Plus begins at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/12 months.
Prime Video, in the meantime, is displaying the Play-In match. A subscription prices AU$6.99/month or AU$59/12 months after a 30-day FREE trial.
Not in Australia proper now? You need to use a VPN like Surfshark to tune in in your account as should you had been again dwelling.
Who’re the 2026 NBA Playoffs favorites?
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Detroit Pistons are the No.1 seeds and de facto favorites, by advantage of topping the Western and Japanese Convention standings respectively.
When are the 2026 NBA Finals?
The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to start on Wednesday, June 3.
The earliest they might finish is Wednesday, June 10, and the most recent Friday, June 19.
Extra from Tom’s Information
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