NBA Playoffs schedule 2025: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams to watch every series
The 2025 NBA Playoffs feature dominant performances by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder, who topped their respective conferences. The Thunder, led by MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, secured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Cavaliers, with a strong lineup including Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, made a significant leap to the top of the Eastern Conference. Despite the dominance of these teams, the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, remain a formidable contender. Fans can watch the games on major networks like ABC, ESPN, and TNT, or stream via services like Sling and TSN+ in Canada, with the NBA Finals set to begin on June 5, 2025.
Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the 2024-25 regular season, securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerging as the MVP favorite.
The Cleveland Cavaliers improved significantly, finishing first in the Eastern Conference thanks to a strong team featuring Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
The Boston Celtics, as defending champions, are considered strong contenders despite the dominance of the Cavaliers and Thunder.
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are broadcasted on major channels such as ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, and TNT, and are also available for streaming on platforms like Sling and TSN+.
The NBA Play-In Tournament started on April 15, 2025, and the first round of the playoffs began on April 19, with the NBA Finals scheduled to start on June 5, 2025.
The Thunder swept the Grizzlies in the first round, while the Cavaliers lead the Heat 3-0, showcasing their playoff strength.
SiriusXM provides live radio coverage of every NBA Playoff game, offering extensive access to fans who prefer audio broadcasts.
Are the Cavaliers and Thunder destined to meet in the NBA Finals?
Oklahoma City was the most impressive team during the 2024-25 regular season, building a massive lead in the Western Conference standings and cruising to the No. 1 seed. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander established himself as the frontrunner for the MVP award and is expected to carry the offensive load for the Thunder in the NBA Playoffs.
Cleveland made a huge year-to-year jump from No. 4 to No. 1 in the Eastern Conference standings, winning more than 60 games for the third time in franchise history. The Cavs have a formidable backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland and frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, so they will be a tough matchup for any team looking to win the title.
While the Cavaliers and Thunder have been dominant, you simply can't rule out other top contenders, especially the Celtics, who are prepared to defend their championship. That's what makes this postseason bracket so intriguing.
Here is everything you need to know about watching the 2025 NBA Playoffs, including TV and streaming information for each game.
NBA Playoffs 2025: TV channels, live streams
- TV channels: ABC, ESPN, NBA TV, TNT (U.S.) | Sportsnet, TSN (Canada)
- Live streams: Sling (U.S.) | Sportsnet+, TSN+ (Canada)
NBA Playoff games will air on ABC, ESPN, NBA TV and TNT in the U.S. The 2025 NBA Finals will air exclusively on ABC. Postseason games can also be streamed on Sling.
Sling is the home for sports fans, as it offers a wide range of channels. You can always cheer for your favorite teams with channels like ESPN, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, FS1 and more.
Viewers in Canada can watch NBA Playoff games on Sportsnet and TSN. Cord-cutters can stream games on Sportsnet+ and TSN+.
NBA Playoffs 2025: Updated schedule for every round of postseason games
Eastern Conference first round
(1) Cavaliers vs. (8) Heat — Cleveland leads 3-0
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 20 | Game 1: Cavaliers 121, Heat 100 | — | — |
| April 23 | Game 2: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112 | — | — |
| April 26 | Game 3: Cavaliers 124, Heat 87 | — | — |
| April 28 | Game 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling, TSN3/4, TSN+ |
| April 30 | Game 5* | 7 p.m. | NBA TV, Sling, TSN3, TSN+ |
| May 2 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 4 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(2) Celtics vs. (7) Magic — Boston leads 3-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 20 | Game 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86 | — | — |
| April 23 | Game 2: Celtics 109, Magic 100 | — | — |
| April 25 | Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93 | — | — |
| April 27 | Game 4: Celtics 107, Magic 98 | — | — |
| April 29 | Game 5 | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV, Sling, TSN4, TSN+ |
| May 1 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(3) Knicks vs. (6) Pistons — Knicks lead 3-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 19 | Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112 | — | — |
| April 21 | Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94 | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116 | — | — |
| April 27 | Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93 | — | — |
| April 29 | Game 5 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling, TSN5, TSN+ |
| May 1 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(4) Pacers vs. (5) Bucks — Indiana leads 3-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 19 | Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98 | — | — |
| April 22 | Game 2: Pacers 123, Bucks 115 | — | — |
| April 25 | Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101 | — | — |
| April 27 | Game 4: Pacers 129, Bucks 103 | — | — |
| April 29 | Game 5 | 6 p.m. | NBA TV, Sling, TSN4, TSN+ |
| May 2 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 4 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
Western Conference first round
(1) Thunder vs. (8) Grizzlies — Oklahoma City wins 4-0
| Date | Game |
| April 20 | Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80 |
| April 22 | Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99 |
| April 24 | Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108 |
| April 26 | Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115 |
*If necessary
(2) Rockets vs. (7) Warriors — Golden State leads 2-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 20 | Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85 | — | — |
| April 23 | Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94 | — | — |
| April 26 | Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93 | — | — |
| April 28 | Game 4 | 10 p.m. | TNT, Sling, TSN3, TSN+ |
| April 30 | Game 5 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling, TSN4, TSN+ |
| May 2 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 4 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(3) Lakers vs. (6) Timberwolves — Minnesota leads 3-1
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 19 | Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95 | — | — |
| April 22 | Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85 | — | — |
| April 25 | Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104 | — | — |
| April 27 | Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113 | — | — |
| April 30 | Game 5 | 10 p.m. | TNT, Sling, TSN4, TSN+ |
| May 2 | Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| May 4 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
(4) Nuggets vs. (5) Clippers — Series tied 2-2
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
| April 19 | Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT) | — | — |
| April 21 | Game 2: Clippers 105, Nuggets 102 | — | — |
| April 24 | Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83 | — | — |
| April 26 | Game 4: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99 | — | — |
| April 29 | Game 5 | 10 p.m. | TNT, Sling, TSN5, TSN+ |
| May 1 | Game 6 | TBD | TBD |
| May 3 | Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
NBA Play-In Tournament
Eastern Conference
| Date | Scores |
| April 15 | Magic 120, Hawks 95 |
| April 16 | Heat 109, Bulls 90 |
| April 18 | Heat 123, Hawks 114 (OT) |
Western Conference
| Date | Scores |
| April 15 | Warriors 121, Grizzlies 116 |
| April 16 | Mavericks 120, Kings 106 |
| April 18 | Grizzlies 120, Mavericks 106 |
NBA Playoffs schedule 2025
- Play-In Tournament: April 15-18
- First round: 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: June 5-June 22 (if necessary)
The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament will begin on Tuesday, April 15. The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs will start four days later on Saturday, April 19.
The next two rounds of the postseason will be held in May, and Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals will be played on Thursday, June 5.
NBA Playoffs radio station 2025
- Radio station: SiriusXM
You can listen to every NBA Playoff game live on SiriusXM. Channels for postseason games are listed on the SiriusXM website.
Get SiriusXM for free for your first four months. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
NBA Playoffs bracket 2025
