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.AdvertisementThe journey to the Larry O'Brien Trophy officially begins with the Play-In Tournament on April 14, followed by the start of the first round on April 18. 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.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.AdvertisementTV channels: ABC | ESPN | NBCNBA 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.AdvertisementStart 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) MagicDateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1 at Detroit6:30 p.m.NBC, PeacockWed., April 22Game 2 at Detroit7 p.m.ESPN, ESPN appSat., April 25Game 3 at Orlando1 p.m.PeacockMon., April 27Game 4 at OrlandoTBDTBDWed., April 29Game 5 at Detroit*TBDTBDFri., May 1Game 6 at Orlando*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Detroit*TBDTBD* if necessary(2) Celtics vs. (7) SixersDateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1 at Boston1 p.m.ABC, ESPN appTue., April 21Game 2 at Boston7 p.m.PeacockFri., April 24Game 3 at Philadelphia7 p.m.Prime VideoSun., April 26Game 4 at Philadelphia7 p.m.NBC, PeacockTue., April 28Game 5 at Boston*TBDTBDThu., April 30Game 6 at Philadelphia*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at Boston*TBDTBD* if necessary(3) Knicks vs. (6) Hawks - New York leads 1-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Knicks 113, Hawks 102——Mon., April 20Game 2 at New York8 p.m.NBC, PeacockThu., April 23Game 3 at Atlanta7 p.m.Prime VideoSat., April 25Game 4 at Atlanta6 p.m.NBC, PeacockTue., April 28Game 5 at New York*TBDTBDThu., April 30Game 6 at Atlanta*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at New York*TBDTBD* if necessary(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Raptors - Cleveland leads 1-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Cavs 126, Raptors 113——Mon., April 20Game 2 at Cleveland7 p.m.PeacockThu., April 23Game 3 at Toronto8 p.m.Prime VideoSun., April 26Game 4 at Toronto1 p.m.ESPN, ESPN appWed., April 29Game 5 at Cleveland*TBDTBDFri., May 1Game 6 at Toronto*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Cleveland*TBDTBD* if necessaryWestern Conference first round(1) Thunder vs. (8) SunsDateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1 at Oklahoma City3:30 p.m.ABC, ESPN appWed., April 22Game 2 at Oklahoma City9:30 p.m.ESPN, ESPN appSat., April 25Game 3 at Phoenix3:30 p.m.NBC, PeacockMon., April 27Game 4 at PhoenixTBDTBDWed., April 29Game 5 at Oklahoma City*TBDTBDFri., May 1Game 6 at Phoenix*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Oklahoma City*TBDTBD* if necessary(2) Spurs vs. (7) Trail BlazersDateGameTime (ET)WatchSun., April 19Game 1 at San Antonio9 p.m.NBC, PeacockTue., April 21Game 2 at San Antonio8 p.m.NBC, PeacockFri., April 24Game 3 at Portland10:30 p.m.Prime VideoSun., April 26Game 4 at Portland3:30 p.m.ESPN, ESPN appTue., April 28Game 5 at San Antonio*TBDTBDThu,. April 30Game 6 at Portland*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at San Antonio*TBDTBD* if necessary(3) Nuggets vs. (6) Timberwolves - Denver leads 1-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1: Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105——Mon., April 20Game 2 at Denver10:30 p.m.NBC, PeacockThu., April 23Game 3 at Minnesota9:30 p.m.Prime VideoSat., April 25Game 4 at Minnesota8:30 p.m.ABC, ESPN appMon., April 27Game 5 at Denver*TBDTBDThu., April 30Game 6 at Minnesota*TBDTBDSat., May 2Game 7 at Denver*TBDTBD* if necessary(4) Lakers vs. (5) RocketsDateGameTime (ET)WatchSat., April 18Game 1 at Los Angeles8:30 p.m.ABC, ESPN appTue., April 21Game 2 at Los Angeles10:30 p.m.NBC, PeacockFri., April 24Game 3 at Houston8 p.m.Prime VideoSun., April 26Game 4 at Houston9:30 p.m.NBC, PeacockWed., April 29Game 5 at Los Angeles*TBDTBDFri., May 1Game 6 at Houston*TBDTBDSun., May 3Game 7 at Los Angeles*TBDTBD* if necessaryPlay-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.NBA Playoffs bracket 2026SNAdvertisementNBA Playoffs round-by-round schedule 2026Play-In Tournament: April 14-17First round: April 18Conference 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 19Related Links