NBA Playoff Schedule 2025: Date, Time, TV Channel, Live Stream
The NBA Playoffs 2025 begin on Saturday, April 19 and lead up to the NBA Finals starting Thursday, June 5.
If you’re searching for the full playoff schedule, game times, TV channels, or how to stream the games live, this page has everything you need.
It’s the NBA’s 79th season, and the regular games ended on April 13, 2025. 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.
2025 NBA Playoffs Key Dates
- Play-In Tournament: Tuesday, April 15 – Friday, April 18
- First round: Saturday, April 19
- Conference semifinals: May 5-6 (possible move up to May 3-4)
- Conference finals: May 20-21 (possible move up to May 18-19)
- NBA Finals: Thursday, June 5 – Sunday, June 22 (if necessary)
First Round
The NBA Playoff First Round starts on Saturday, April 19, 2025, right after the Play-In Tournament wraps up.
Eastern Conference Schedule
(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 20 Apr | Game 1 | Heat at Cavaliers | 7:00 PM | TNT |
| Wed, 23 Apr | Game 2 | Heat at Cavaliers | 7:30 PM | NBA TV |
| Sat, 26 Apr | Game 3 | Cavaliers at Heat | 1:00 PM | TNT |
| Mon, 28 Apr | Game 4 | Cavaliers at Heat | TBD | TBD |
| Wed, 30 Apr | Game 5* | Heat at Cavaliers | TBD | TBD |
| Fri, 2 May | Game 6* | Cavaliers at Heat | TBD | TBD |
| Sun, 4 May | Game 7* | Heat at Cavaliers | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 20 Apr | Game 1 | Magic at Celtics | 3:30 PM | ABC |
| Wed, 23 Apr | Game 2 | Magic at Celtics | 7:00 PM | TNT |
| Fri, 25 Apr | Game 3 | Celtics at Magic | 7:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sun, 27 Apr | Game 4 | Celtics at Magic | 7:00 PM | TNT |
| Tue, 29 Apr | Game 5* | Magic at Celtics | TBD | TBD |
| Thu, 1 May | Game 6* | Celtics at Magic | TBD | TBD |
| Sat, 3 May | Game 7* | Magic at Celtics | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 19 Apr | Game 1 | Pistons at Knicks | 6:00 PM | ESPN |
| Mon, 21 Apr | Game 2 | Pistons at Knicks | 7:30 PM | TNT |
| Thu, 24 Apr | Game 3 | Knicks at Pistons | 7:00 PM | TNT |
| Sun, 27 Apr | Game 4 | Knicks at Pistons | 1:00 PM | ABC |
| Tue, 29 Apr | Game 5* | Pistons at Knicks | TBD | TBD |
| Thu, 1 May | Game 6* | Knicks at Pistons | TBD | TBD |
| Sat, 3 May | Game 7* | Pistons at Knicks | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 19 Apr | Game 1 | Bucks at Pacers | 1:00 PM | ESPN |
| Tue, 22 Apr | Game 2 | Bucks at Pacers | 7:00 PM | NBA TV |
| Fri, 25 Apr | Game 3 | Pacers at Bucks | 8:00 PM | ESPNU / NBA TV |
| Sun, 27 Apr | Game 4 | Pacers at Bucks | 9:30 PM | TNT |
| Tue, 29 Apr | Game 5* | Bucks at Pacers | TBD | TBD |
| Fri, 2 May | Game 6* | Pacers at Bucks | TBD | TBD |
| Sun, 4 May | Game 7* | Bucks at Pacers | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 20 Apr | Game 1 | Grizzlies at Thunder | 1:00 PM | ABC |
| Tue, 22 Apr | Game 2 | Grizzlies at Thunder | 7:30 PM | TNT |
| Thu, 24 Apr | Game 3 | Thunder at Grizzlies | 9:30 PM | TNT |
| Sat, 26 Apr | Game 4 | Thunder at Grizzlies | 3:30 PM | TNT |
| Mon, 28 Apr | Game 5* | Grizzlies at Thunder | TBD | TBD |
| Thu, 1 May | Game 6* | Thunder at Grizzlies | TBD | TBD |
| Sat, 3 May | Game 7* | Grizzlies at Thunder | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 20 Apr | Game 1 | Warriors at Rockets | 9:30 PM | TNT |
| Wed, 23 Apr | Game 2 | Warriors at Rockets | 9:30 PM | TNT |
| Sat, 26 Apr | Game 3 | Rockets at Warriors | 8:30 PM | ABC |
| Mon, 28 Apr | Game 4 | Rockets at Warriors | 10:00 PM | TNT |
| Wed, 30 Apr | Game 5* | Warriors at Rockets | TBD | TBD |
| Fri, 2 May | Game 6* | Rockets at Warriors | TBD | TBD |
| Sun, 4 May | Game 7* | Warriors at Rockets | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 19 Apr | Game 1 | Timberwolves at Lakers | 8:30 PM | ABC |
| Tue, 22 Apr | Game 2 | Timberwolves at Lakers | 10:00 PM | TNT |
| Fri, 25 Apr | Game 3 | Lakers at Timberwolves | 9:30 PM | ESPN |
| Sun, 27 Apr | Game 4 | Lakers at Timberwolves | 3:30 PM | ABC |
| Wed, 30 Apr | Game 5* | Timberwolves at Lakers | TBD | TBD |
| Fri, 2 May | Game 6* | Lakers at Timberwolves | TBD | TBD |
| Sun, 4 May | Game 7* | Timberwolves at Lakers | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) Los Angeles Clippers
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 19 Apr | Game 1 | Clippers at Nuggets | 3:30 PM | ESPN |
| Mon, 21 Apr | Game 2 | Clippers at Nuggets | 10:00 PM | TNT |
| Thu, 24 Apr | Game 3 | Nuggets at Clippers | 10:00 PM | NBA TV |
| Sat, 26 Apr | Game 4 | Nuggets at Clippers | 6:00 PM | TNT |
| Tue, 29 Apr | Game 5* | Clippers at Nuggets | TBD | TBD |
| Thu, 1 May | Game 6* | Nuggets at Clippers | TBD | TBD |
| Sat, 3 May | Game 7* | Clippers at Nuggets | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Conference Semifinals
The 2025 NBA Playoff Conference Semifinals start on May 5-6, but they could move up to May 3-4 if the previous round ends early.
| 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 2025 NBA Conference Finals will start on May 20 or 21. If the earlier games finish early, they could begin on May 18 or 19. These games will decide who plays in 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 2025 NBA Finals start on June 5 and could last until June 22 if all seven games are needed. Game 1 tips off on June 5, with the rest of the series spread across June. If necessary, Game 7 will be played on June 22. All games will air on ABC.
| DATE | GAME | MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | TV Channel | VENUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 5 | 1 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | 2 | TBD | 8:00 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | 3 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | 4 | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | 5* | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| TBD | 6* | TBD | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Sunday, June 22 | 7* | TBD | 8:00 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
Also Check: NBA Playoff Bracket 2025
What channel are the 2025 NBA playoffs on?
You can watch the NBA Playoffs on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. However, for the 2025 NBA Finals, you can only watch it on ABC.
How can I watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs?
You can watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs live online in the USA in many ways. If you have cable or satellite TV, you can stream games on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV by signing in with your provider. For Spanish-language coverage, ESPN Deportes will show select games.
If you don’t have cable, you still have options. DIRECTV STREAM has all the primary channels and offers a 5-day free trial. YouTube TV includes ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV with a 7-day free trial and unlimited DVR storage. Sling TV’s Orange plan gives you ESPN and TNT, and you can add NBA TV with the Sports Extra package. Hulu + Live TV includes ABC, ESPN, and TNT but does not have NBA TV. FuboTV carries ABC, ESPN, and NBA TV but does not include TNT.
YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM are the best options for complete coverage since they have all the required channels. Sling TV or FuboTV might work if you want a cheaper choice, depending on the games you want to watch. Choose the service that fits you best and enjoy the NBA Playoffs 2025 live. Check out our complete guide for more details on streaming.
NBA Playoffs 2025 FAQ: You want to know
How many teams make the NBA Playoffs?
A total of 16 teams compete, with eight teams from each conference (Eastern and Western).
How are teams ranked in the playoffs?
Teams are ranked 1 to 8 in each conference based on their regular-season record. The team with the best record gets the top seed, while the 8th seed has the lowest record among the qualifiers.
What is the format of the NBA Playoffs?
The NBA Playoffs include 16 teams, with eight from each conference. Before the playoffs begin, a play-in tournament decides the final two spots in each conference.
The playoffs have four rounds: First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and NBA Finals. Each round follows a best-of-seven format. The higher-seeded team gets home-court advantage, and games follow a 2-2-1-1-1 schedule.
The winners of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals meet in the NBA Finals. The team with the better regular-season record gets home-court advantage in the championship series.
How long do the NBA Playoffs last?
The playoffs run for about two months, from mid-April to mid-June.
Can I buy tickets for NBA Playoff games?
Yes, you can buy tickets on team websites, the NBA’s official website, or from authorised resellers.