The NBA Playoff Convention Semifinals are coming to a detailed this week, with six groups nonetheless battling for a spot within the Convention finals.
First up, the Detroit Pistons will face off in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Recreation 4 of the Jap Convention Semifinals. Proper now, the Pistons are up 2:1 in opposition to the Cavaliers, however they’re going to want two extra wins to move off to the Jap Convention finals in opposition to the New York Knicks.
Later tonight, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder will tackle the Lakers in Los Angeles, probably for the final time this season. The Thunder have received 3:0 within the Semifinals thus far, and yet another win ensures their spot within the Western Convention Finals subsequent week.
Preserving observe of the place every NBA Playoff sport is streaming has been dizzying, to say the least. Here is the best way to tune in to tonight’s video games, plus a full schedule of upcoming video games, so you do not miss a second of the stay motion.
What Time Is the Pistons vs. Cavaliers Recreation?
You possibly can catch the Pistons vs. the Cavaliers at 8 p.m. ET tonight, Monday, Could 11, 2026. The Cavaliers are internet hosting at Rocket Area in Cleveland, Ohio. We’ll see no less than yet another sport between these two groups, relying on who wins tonight.
What Time Is the Thunder vs. Lakers Recreation?
The Thunder vs. Lakers sport begins tonight at 10:30 p.m. ET, Monday, Could 11, 2026, on the Crypto.com Area in LA. If the Thunder win once more tonight, they’re formally heading to the Western Convention Finals subsequent week.
The way to Watch Tonight’s NBA Convention Semifinal Video games
Tonight’s doubleheader will air on completely different networks. You possibly can catch the Pistons vs. Cavaliers sport on NBC and stream it stay on Peacock.
The Thunder vs. the Lakers sport will air on Prime Video. If you do not have Prime Video, you may watch tonight’s sport for no price by signing up for a free trial.
2026 NBA Playoffs: Schedule and The place to Watch
(Credit score: NBA)
Beginning this 12 months, the NBA has break up playoff video games between ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon. In response to 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 remaining in six of the 11 years. Beforehand, the Play-In Match aired on ESPN and TNT, however all six video games are completely broadcast on Prime Video for the following 11 seasons. Amazon may 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.
2026 NBA Convention Semifinals Recreation Schedule and The way to Watch:
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (4) Cleveland Cavaliers
Recreation 4: Monday, Could 11 (8 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Recreation 5: Wednesday, Could 13* (7 or 8 ET, ESPN)
Recreation 6: Friday, Could 15*
Recreation 7: Sunday, Could 17*
(1) Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. (4) Los Angeles Lakers
Recreation 4: Oklahoma Metropolis at Los Angeles | Monday, Could 11 (10:30 ET, Prime Video)
Recreation 5: Los Angeles at Oklahoma Metropolis | Wednesday, Could 13* (9:30 ET, ESPN)
Recreation 6: Oklahoma Metropolis at Los Angeles | Saturday, Could 16*
Recreation 7: Los Angeles at Oklahoma Metropolis | Monday, Could 18*
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Recreation 5: Minnesota at San Antonio | Tuesday, Could 12* (8 ET; NBC/Peacock)
Recreation 6: San Antonio at Minnesota | Friday, Could 15*
Recreation 7: Minnesota at San Antonio | Sunday, Could 17*
*If wanted
2026 NBA Jap Convention Finals Recreation Schedule:
2026 NBA Western Convention Finals Recreation Schedule:
2026 NBA Finals Recreation Schedule:
The way to Stream the 2026 NBA Playoffs
If you wish to watch each sport of the NBA Playoffs with out worrying about which community is broadcasting every sport, there are streaming choices that allow you to watch all the pieces. Sadly, because the video games are unfold throughout three corporations—Disney, Comcast, and Amazon—you will doubtless have to do some looking to seek out the very best bundle that covers as many video games as attainable.
Advisable by Our Editors
Amazon Prime Video: If you happen to’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 may even offer you 4K streaming.
DirecTV: The $89.99 Leisure bundle provides you entry to ABC, NBC, and ESPN.
ESPN Choose: Stream stay sports activities and archived ESPN exhibits beginning at $12.99 per 30 days.
Fubo: Fubo carries ABC and ESPN, which you will get through the Sports activities plan for $55.99 per 30 days. There’s additionally a quarterly priced possibility.
Hulu + Reside TV: The ad-supported, $89.99-per-month stay TV bundle 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 contains ABC, NBC, and ESPN for $60.99 per 30 days. There are cheaper packages obtainable should you solely want a few of these channels.
YouTube TV: The streamer’s Sports activities Plan contains ABC, NBC, and ESPN for $64.99 per 30 days
As a reminder, you will need to allow your TV’s motion-smoothing possibility for the very best image whereas watching the NBA Playoffs and different televised sporting occasions. Equally as vital, keep in mind to show it off while you’re finished, so your TV exhibits and films haven’t got that dreaded “cleaning soap opera impact.”
PCMag’s Prime-Rated Reside TV Streaming Companies
Can You Watch the NBA Playoffs With a VPN?
If you happen to’re watching outdoors the US and video games are unavailable in your nation, attempt a VPN. Set the area to a US location to entry native streaming content material. You might also be capable to unlock content material obtainable from different areas, even should you’re within the US. For example, 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 may be capable to use a VPN right here. The identical may be stated for Disney+ should you entry it from sure Asian and European markets.
Not all VPN providers work nicely with all streaming providers, however the very best VPNs for sports activities streaming will ship excessive speeds with out knowledge limits. Our prime possibility for watching region-locked sports activities video games is ExpressVPN, PCMag’s best choice for location spoofing. Since ExpressVPN has servers worldwide, it is simple to obfuscate your location to entry region-locked content material. Different prime choices embrace our Editors’ Selection winners, NordVPN and Proton VPN. You can even try our really useful VPNs for iPhones and Android units should you’re watching on the go.
PCMag-Advisable VPN Companies for Watching the NBA Playoffs
For extra on the best way to watch basketball, try our roundup of the very best NBA streaming providers.
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My desktop state of affairs features a twin monitor setup with a modest Acer monitor. I additionally use a Logitech mouse (who can use these ThinkPad trackpads) and a Havit keyboard (my first mechanical keyboard; I like it however my spouse hates it!). I am a latest convert from wired headphones; I’ve Anker Soundcore Liberty Air wi-fi earbuds for private use and have taken to the Sennheiser HD 450BT headphones for work.
Every time I’ve a second to myself, I am most likely gaming on my Nintendo Swap, Steam Deck, or Xbox Collection S. I additionally nonetheless have a bunch of basic consoles mendacity round as nicely.
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