NBA Playoffs schedule 2026: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams to watch every series

NBA Playoffs schedule 2026: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams to watch every series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>The 2025-26 NBA regular season has reached its conclusion, setting the stage for a postseason defined by high-stakes matchups and a brand-new broadcast landscape.

>The journey to the Larry O'Brien Trophy officially began with the Play-In Tournament, and now the main contenders are in the mix. With dominant forces like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons having secured the top seeds, the focus is on what other teams can compete for the NBA championship.

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>This year marks a significant shift in how fans will consume the playoffs, as a landmark media rights deal introduces a three-pronged distribution model featuring ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video. While the NBA Finals remain the exclusive property of ABC, earlier rounds will be split across these platforms, including the entirety of the Play-In Tournament moving to Prime Video.

>Whether you are a cord-cutter relying on Peacock and Amazon or a traditional viewer tuned into ESPN and NBC, navigating the 2026 bracket requires a clear roadmap of where and when to find each game. From the opening tip of the play-in games to the final buzzer of the NBA Finals on June 19, every series offers a different path to glory.

>Below is the comprehensive guide to the 2026 NBA Playoff schedule, including a full look at the current bracket, confirmed tip-off times, and a breakdown of which streaming services and cable channels you'll need to catch every minute of the action.

Where to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: TV channels, live streamsTV channels: ABC | ESPN | NBC • >Live streams: DIRECTV | ESPN app | Peacock | Prime VideoNBA Playoff action is spread across ABC, ESPN, NBC and Prime Video, though the NBA Finals remain on ABC. Fans have a wide range of streaming options to catch the postseason, including Prime, the ESPN app, and Peacock, with each service carrying specific games depending on their broadcast rights.

>All games airing on ABC, ESPN and NBC are also available via DIRECTV Stream.

>Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.

>Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.

NBA Playoffs schedule, scores 2026Eastern Conference first round(1) Pistons vs. (8) Magic - Orlando leads 2-1

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1: Magic 112, Pistons 101——Wed., April 22Game 2: Pistons 98, Magic 83——Sat., April 25Game 3: Magic 113, Pistons 105——Mon., April 27Game 4 at Orlando8 p.m. NBC, Peacock, DIRECTVWed., April 29Game 5 at Detroit7 p.m.Prime VideoFri., May 1Game 6 at Orlando*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Detroit*TBDTBD* if necessary

>(2) Celtics vs. (7) Sixers - Boston leads 3-1

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1: Celtics 123, Sixers 91——Tue., April 21Game 2: Sixers 111, Celtics 97——Fri., April 24Game 3: Celtics 108, Sixers 100——Sun., April 26Game 4: Celtics 128, Sixers 96——Tue., April 28Game 5 at Boston7 p.m.ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTVThu., April 30Game 6 at Philadelphia*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at Boston*TBDTBD* if necessary

>(3) Knicks vs. (6) Hawks - Tied 2-2

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102——Mon., April 20Game 2: Hawks 107, Knicks 106——Thu., April 23Game 3: Hawks 109, Knicks 108——Sat., April 25Game 4: Knicks 114, Hawks 98——Tue., April 28Game 5 at New York8 p.m.NBC, Peacock, DIRECTVThu., April 30Game 6 at AtlantaTBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at New York*TBDTBD* if necessary

>(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors - Tied 2-2

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Cavs 126, Raptors 113——Mon., April 20Game 2: Cavs 115, Raptors 105——Thu., April 23Game 3: Raptors 126, Cavs 104——Sun., April 26Game 4: Raptors 93, Cavs 89——Wed., April 29Game 5 at Cleveland7:30 p.m.ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTVFri., May 1Game 6 at TorontoTBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Cleveland*TBDTBD* if necessary

Western Conference first round(1) Thunder vs. (8) Suns - Oklahoma City leads 3-0

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1: Thunder 119, Suns 84——Wed., April 22Game 2: Thunder 120, Suns 107——Sat., April 25Game 3: Thunder 121, Suns 109——Mon., April 27Game 4 at Phoenix9:30 p.m.PeacockWed., April 29Game 5 at Oklahoma City*9:30 p.m.Prime VideoFri., May 1Game 6 at Phoenix*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Oklahoma City*TBDTBD* if necessary

>(2) Spurs vs. (7) Trail Blazers - San Antonio leads 3-1

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1: Spurs 111, Blazers 98——Tue., April 21Game 2: Blazers 106, Spurs 103——Fri., April 24Game 3: Spurs 120, Blazers 108——Sun., April 26Game 4: Spurs 114, Blazers 93——Tue., April 28Game 5 at San Antonio9:30 p.m.ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTVThu,. April 30Game 6 at Portland*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at San Antonio*TBDTBD* if necessary

>(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves - Minnesota leads 3-1

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105——Mon., April 20Game 2: Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114——Thu., April 23Game 3: Timberwolves 113, Nuggets 96——Sat., April 25Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Nuggets 96——Mon., April 27Game 5 at Denver10:30 p.m.NBC, Peacock, DIRECTVThu., April 30Game 6 at Minnesota*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at Denver*TBDTBD* if necessary

>(4) Lakers vs. (5) Rockets - Los Angeles leads 3-1

DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Lakers 107, Rockets 98——Tue., April 21Game 2: Lakers 101, Rockets 94——Fri., April 24Game 3: Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT)——Sun., April 26Game 4: Rockets 115, Lakers 96——Wed., April 29Game 5 at Los Angeles10 p.m.ESPN, ESPN app, DIRECTVFri., May 1Game 6 at Houston*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Los Angeles*TBDTBD* if necessary

Play-In TournamentDateGameTime (ET)WatchTue., April 14Hornets 127, Heat 126 (OT)——Trail Blazers 114, Suns 110——Wed., April 15Sixers 109, Magic 97——Warriors 126, Clippers 121——Fri., April 17Magic 121, Hornets 90——Suns 111, Warriors 96——NBA playoffs bracket 2026Click here for the 2026 NBA Playoffs bracket from The Sporting News, which updates live as series are completed.

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NBA Playoffs round-by-round schedule 2026Play-In Tournament: April 14-17 • >First round: April 18 • >Conference semifinals: May 4-5 (possible move up to May 2-3) • >Conference finals: May 19-20 (possible move up to May 17-18) • >NBA Finals: June 3-June 19 Related LinksLatest NBA news and rumors • >Full 2025-26 NBA schedule and scores • >How to bet on the NBA • >The GOAT Debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James