2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free

The 2024 NBA regular season ended on April 14 and the 2024 NBA postseason tipped off with the play-in tournament on April 16, followed by the first round of the playoffs on April 20.

Here’s when and where you can watch the NBA playoffs and NBA Finals (all times Eastern):

NBA Playoff Schedule

Monday, April 22

• (5) Orlando Magic at (4) Cleveland Cavaliers – 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
• (7) Philadelphia 76ers at (2) New York Knicks – 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
• (7) Los Angeles Lakers at (2) Denver Nuggets – 10 p.m. (TNT)

Tuesday, April 23

• (6) Phoenix Suns at (3) Minnesota Timberwolves – 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
• (6) Indiana Pacers at (3) Milwaukee Bucks – 8:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
• (5) Dallas Mavericks at (4) LA Clippers – 10 p.m. (TNT)

Wednesday, April 24

• (8) Miami Heat at (1) Boston Celtics – 7 p.m. (TNT)
• (8) New Orleans Pelicans at (1) Oklahoma City Thunder – 9:30 p.m. (TNT)

Thursday, April 25

• (4) Cleveland Cavaliers at (5) Orlando Magic – 7 p.m. (NBA TV)
• (2) New York Knicks at (7) Philadelphia 76ers – 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
• (2) Denver Nuggets at (7) Los Angeles Lakers – 10 p.m. (TNT)

Friday, April 26

• (3) Milwaukee Bucks at (6) Indiana Pacers – 5:30 p.m (ESPN)
• (4) LA Clippers at (5) Dallas Mavericks – 8 p.m. (ESPN)
• (3) Minnesota Timberwolves at (6) Phoenix Suns – 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, April 27

• (4) Cleveland Cavaliers at (5) Orlando Magic – 1 p.m. (TNT)
• (1) Oklahoma City Thunder at (8) New Orleans Pelicans – 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
• (1) Boston Celtics at (8) Miami Heat – 6 p.m. (TNT)
• (2) Denver Nuggets at (7) Los Angeles Lakers – 8:30 p.m. (ABC)

Sunday, April 28

• (2) New York Knicks at (7) Philadelphia 76ers – 1 p.m. (ABC)
• (4) LA Clippers at (5) Dallas Mavericks – 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
• (3) Milwaukee Bucks at (6) Indiana Pacers – 7 p.m (TNT)
• (3) Minnesota Timberwolves at (6) Phoenix Suns – 9:30 p.m. (TNT)

NBA Playoff Scores

Sunday, April 21

• (1) Celtics 114, (8) Heat 94
• (4) Clippers 109, (5) Dallas 97
• (3) Bucks 109, (6) Pacers 94
• (1) Thunder 94, (8) Pelicans 92

Saturday, April 20

• (4) Cavaliers 97, (5) Magic 83
• (3) Timberwolves 120, (6) Suns 95
• (2) Knicks 111, (7) 76ers 104
• (2) Nuggets 114, (7) Lakers 103

Friday, April 19

• Play-In Game 5: (8) Heat 112, (9) Bulls 91
• Play-In Game 6: (7) Pelicans 105, (9) Kings 98

Wednesday, April 17

• Play-In Game 3: (7) 76ers 105, (8) Heat 104
• Play-In Game 4: (9) Bulls 131, (10) Hawks 116

Tuesday, April 16

• Play-In Game 1: (8) Lakers 110, (7) Pelicans 106
• Play-In Game 2: (9) Kings 118, (10) Warriors 94

When do the NBA playoffs start?

Since 2020, the NBA playoffs have tipped off with the NBA play-in tournament. The play-in tournament began on April 16. The first round of the NBA playoffs will then commence on April 20.

How can I watch the play-in tournament?

The play-in tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT.

How can I watch the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA playoffs will broadcast on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. Most traditional cable/satellite subscriptions have packages including some or all of these channels. You also stream the full NBA playoffs with streaming providers Sling, fubo TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV STREAM.

Can I watch the Playoffs and Finals for free?

If you have an over-the-air antenna, you can catch some playoff matchups and every NBA finals game on ABC. Some streaming services also have free trials available.

When do the NBA conference semifinals start?

The 2024 NBA conference semifinals begin on May 6-7, but could move up to May 4-5 if the playoff series end early.

When do the NBA conference finals start?

The 2024 NBA conference semifinals begin on May 21-22, but could move up to May 19-20 if the playoff series end early.

When do the NBA Finals start?

The NBA Finals start on June 6, featuring the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference finals. The NBA Finals could end anytime from June 14 and June 23, depending on the series.

How can I watch the NBA Finals?

The NBA Finals will broadcast on ABC. ABC is available on many streaming services, including DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV. You can also catch NBA Finals games with an over-the-air antenna that has access to a local broadcasting station.

2024 NBA Finals Schedule

• Thursday, June 6: Game 1 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
• Sunday, June 9: Game 2 (8 p.m., ABC)
• Wednesday, June 12: Game 3 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
• Friday, June 14: Game 4 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
• Monday, June 17: Game 5 (8:30 p.m., ABC)*
• Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (8:30 p.m., ABC)*
• Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (8 p.m., ABC)*

* if necessary

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