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 Wednesday, June 3. 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 season 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
- Regular Season Ends: Sunday, April 12, 2026
- Rosters Set for Playoffs: Monday, April 13, 2026 (3 PM ET)
- SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament: Tuesday, April 14 – Friday, April 17
- First Round Begins: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Conference Semifinals: Around May 4–5 (may shift to May 2–3)
- Conference Finals: Around May 19–20 (possible start May 18)
- NBA Finals Game 1: Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- NBA Finals Game 7 (if needed): Friday, June 19, 2026
SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament
The Play-In Tournament runs April 14–17, 2026. Teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference compete for the final two playoff spots. All 6 Play-In games stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
How it works (per conference):
- Game 1: No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed — winner clinches No. 7 seed
- Game 2: No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed
- Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 — winner clinches No. 8 seed; loser is eliminated
First Round
The First Round starts Saturday, April 18, 2026, just after the Play-In ends. All games in each series follow a best-of-7 format with a 2-2-1-1-1 home/away order.
| 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 |
Same matchups apply for both Eastern and Western Conference, making 8 total series. Broadcasters include ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.
Conference Semifinals
Expected to begin around May 4–5, 2026. Could start as early as May 2–3 if the First Round ends quickly.
| Matchup | 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 |
Same matchups apply for both conferences, making 4 total series.
Conference Finals
The 2026 NBA Conference Finals begin around May 19–20. If earlier rounds end quickly, the schedule could move up to May 18. These games decide who advances to the NBA Finals.
| Matchup | Time (ET) | TV | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winner of 1-4-5-8 bracket | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| Winner of 2-3-6-7 bracket | TBA | TBA | TBD |
One series airs on ABC/ESPN. The other airs on NBC/Peacock in 2026, with the two networks rotating each year alongside Amazon Prime Video.
Also Check: NBA Playoff Bracket 2026
NBA Finals 2026
The 2026 NBA Finals, presented by YouTube TV, begin Wednesday, June 3. All games air exclusively on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. A potential Game 7 is scheduled for Friday, June 19. This is the first NBA Finals since 1970 with no Sunday game scheduled.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 3 | Game 1 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Friday, June 5 | Game 2 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Monday, June 8 | Game 3 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Wednesday, June 10 | Game 4 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Saturday, June 13* | Game 5 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Tuesday, June 16* | Game 6 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
| Friday, June 19* | Game 7 | 8:30 PM | ABC, ESPN Deportes | TBD |
(* if necessary)
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 | ~18 games | One series (10 of 11 years) | Exclusive |
| NBC / Peacock | No | ~28 games | One series (6 of 11 years) | No |
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes — all 6 games | ~14–26 games | One series (6 of 11 years) | No |
| ESPN Deportes / Telemundo | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes (Spanish) |
Note: TNT no longer carries NBA games. This is the first season under the NBA’s new 11-year media rights deal with ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.
How to Watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs
You can watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs in the USA on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video. All 6 Play-In games stream exclusively on Prime Video. 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. Peacock 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.
| Service | Key Channels | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock | ~$82.99/mo | Best full package |
| DIRECTV STREAM | ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock | Varies | Strong cable replacement |
| Hulu + Live TV | ABC, ESPN, NBC | ~$89.99/mo | Need separate Peacock and Prime apps |
| FuboTV | ABC, ESPN, NBC | ~$84.99+/mo | No Peacock or Prime Video |
| Sling TV | ESPN, ABC (via ESPN3), NBC (select cities) | Budget option | No Peacock or Prime Video |
| Amazon Prime Video | Prime Video games only | Prime subscription | Play-In exclusive + select playoff games |
| Peacock | NBC games | Standalone available | No cable needed |
| NBA League Pass | Out-of-market regular season only | Varies | Blacked out for all live playoff games |
The best full setup is YouTube TV or DIRECTV STREAM with Prime Video added separately. For a cheaper option, try Sling TV or FuboTV, but check your local market before subscribing.
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 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 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament?
The Play-In Tournament runs April 14–17, 2026. Teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference compete for the last two playoff spots. All 6 Play-In games air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The winner of the 7-8 game earns the No. 7 seed. The winner of the final Play-In game earns the No. 8 seed.
What is the format of the NBA Playoffs?
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. Games follow a 2-2-1-1-1 home/away order. The higher-seeded team gets home-court advantage throughout.
When do the NBA Finals start in 2026?
The 2026 NBA Finals begin on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. All games tip off at 8:30 PM ET and air exclusively on ABC. A potential Game 7 is scheduled for Friday, June 19.
How long do the NBA Playoffs last?
The playoffs run for about two months, from mid-April through mid-June.
Can I watch the NBA Playoffs without cable?
Yes. YouTube TV, DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, and Amazon Prime Video all provide access to playoff games. NBA League Pass does not stream live playoff games due to national broadcast blackout rules.
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.
Last updated: February 28, 2026. All dates and times sourced from official NBA.com announcements. First Round, Semifinals, and Conference Finals matchup details will be updated after the Play-In Tournament concludes on April 17.
