NBA Playoff Schedule 2026: Date, Time, TV Channel, Live Stream
The NBA Playoffs 2026 begin on Saturday, April 18, and lead to the NBA Finals starting Thursday, June 4. This page includes the full NBA playoff schedule, game times, TV channels, and how to stream every game live.
It’s the NBA’s 80th season, and the regular games ended on April 12, 2026. Now it’s time for the most exciting part of the year. The top 8 teams from each side – East and West – will battle it out for the title.
If you follow the NBA postseason, this guide will keep you updated from the first round to the Finals.
2026 NBA Playoffs Key Dates
- Play-In Tournament: Tuesday, April 14 – Friday, April 17
- First round: Saturday, April 18
- Conference semifinals: Begin around May 4–5 (may shift up to May 2–3)
- Conference finals: Expected around May 19–20 (possible start on May 18)
- NBA Finals: Thursday, June 4 – Sunday, June 21 (if necessary)
First Round
The First Round starts Saturday, April 18, 2026, just after the play-in ends.
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed 1 vs Seed 8 | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| Seed 2 vs Seed 7 | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| Seed 3 vs Seed 6 | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| Seed 4 vs Seed 5 | TBA | TBA | TBD |
Conference Semifinals
Expected to begin May 4, possibly earlier if the First Round ends quickly.
| Team | Time (ET) | TV | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner of 1-8 vs. Winner of 4-5. | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| Winner of 2-7 vs. Winner of 3-6. | TBA | TBA | TBD |
Conference Finals
The 2026 NBA Conference Finals will begin around May 19 or 20. If earlier rounds end quickly, the schedule could move up to May 18. These games decide who advances to the NBA Finals.
| Team | Time (ET) | TV | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner of 1-4-5-8 vs. Winner of 2-3-6-7. | TBA | TBA | TBD |
NBA Finals
The 2026 NBA Finals begin Thursday, June 4, and could go until Sunday, June 21 if a Game 7 is needed. All games air on ABC.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 4 | Game 1 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | Game 2 | 8:00 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | Game 3 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | Game 4 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | Game 5* | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | Game 6* | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Sunday, June 21 | Game 7* | 8:00 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
Also Check: NBA Playoff Bracket 2026
What channel are the 2026 NBA playoffs on?
You can watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video. The Finals will only be on ABC. For Spanish coverage, tune in to ESPN Deportes or Telemundo Deportes.
| Network | Play‑In Tournament | First & Second Rounds | Conference Finals | NBA Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC / ESPN | No | Yes (~18 games) | One series (most years) | Exclusive |
| NBC / Peacock | No | Yes (22–34 games) | Rotates with Amazon | No |
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes (all games) | Yes (14–26 games) | Rotates with NBC | No |
How can I watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs?
You can watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs in the USA on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock and Prime Video. All Play-In games stream only on Prime Video. Some early round games will be there too. Peacock shows the same games that air on NBC. Spanish broadcasts are on ESPN Deportes and Telemundo Deportes.
If you have cable or satellite, log in with your provider to watch on ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Peacock. Prime Video only needs a Prime subscription. If you don’t have cable, try YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM. Both offer ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Peacock, and let you use Prime Video with a separate login.
Prime Video shows all Play-In games and select playoff games and has a free trial. Peacock also streams NBC games and doesn’t need cable. Sling TV gives you ESPN and NBC in some cities, but not ABC, Peacock, or Prime Video. Hulu + Live TV has ABC, ESPN, and NBC, but you’ll need separate apps for the rest.
FuboTV has ABC, ESPN, and NBC, but no Peacock or Prime Video. The best full setup is YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM with Peacock and Prime Video. For a cheaper option, try Sling TV or FuboTV, but check if they have your team’s games.
NBA Playoffs 2026 FAQ: What you need to know
How many teams make the NBA Playoffs?
A total of 16 teams qualify. Eight come from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference.
How are teams ranked in the playoffs?
Teams are ranked 1 through 8 in each conference. The rankings are based on regular-season records. The team with the best record gets the top seed. The 8th seed has the lowest record among the playoff teams.
What is the format of the NBA Playoffs?
The NBA Playoffs begin after the Play-In Tournament. Each conference sends six teams directly based on regular-season standings. Two more teams qualify from the Play-In round, making eight total in the East and eight in the West.
The playoffs have four rounds: First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and NBA Finals. Every series follows a best-of-seven format. The higher-seeded team gets home-court advantage.
Games follow a 2-2-1-1-1 order. The winners from each conference meet in the NBA Finals, and the team with the better regular-season record hosts more games.
How long do the NBA Playoffs last?
The playoffs run for about two months, from mid-April through mid-June.
Can I buy tickets for NBA Playoff games?
Yes. You can buy tickets from team websites, the NBA’s official site, or trusted resellers like StubHub.