How To Watch 2025 NBA Playoffs: Schedule, Channels & More

It’s finally that time: the NBA post-season is upon us once again. After an exciting regular season, the top 20 teams are one step closer to reaching the pinnacle of post-season basketball success: the NBA Finals.

This guide will give you the information you need to make sure you can keep up with the game, including which teams made the 2025 NBA Playoffs and how to watch the NBA Playoffs live.

Watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs live on DIRECTV!

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Which Teams Made the 2025 NBA Playoffs

Here’s the current playoffs picture, including teams that have clinched and those that are competing in the final day of the NBA Play-In Tournament (seeded 7-10).

Western Conference Playoff Picture:

Eastern Conference Playoff Picture:

Two of the teams in the 7-10 seeds in each conference will be eliminated via the Play-In Tournament. Right now, the Golden State Warriors and Orlando Magic have emerged from their matchups to make the first round.

Based on those standings, here’s how the First Round bracket is shaping up:

Western Conference:

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves
(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers

Eastern Conference:

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Play-In Winner
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks

Which Teams Did Not Make the 2025 Postseason?

So, which unfortunate NBA teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention?

Eliminated Western Conference Teams:

Eliminated Eastern Conference Teams:

Better luck next year!

How can I watch the 2025 NBA Playoffs?

You can catch all of the excitement live during the 2025 NBA Playoffs on the following networks:

ABC (find your local ABC affiliate)
ESPN (channel 206)
TNT (channel 245)
NBA TV (channel 216)

And for those fans who don’t have access to NBA TV, now’s the time to change that with DIRECTV. Learn more here.

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When do the NBA Playoffs Start?

The 2025 NBA Playoffs will begin after the conclusion of the regular season with the SoFi Play-In Tournament from April 15 to April 18. For more information on how the Play-In Tournament works, check out this Play-In Tournament watch guide.

2025 NBA Postseason Schedule & Results

First Round Game Schedule:

(1) Cleveland vs. (8) TBD

Game 1: TBD at Cavaliers (Sun. April 20 @ 7 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 2: TBD at Cavaliers (Wed. April 23 @ 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA TV)
Game 3: Cavaliers at TBD (Sat. April 26 @ 1 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 4: Cavaliers at TBD (Mon. April 28 @ TBD)
Game 5: TBD at Cavaliers (Wed. April 30 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at TBD (Fri. May 2 @ TBD)*
Game 7: TBD at Cavaliers (Sun. May 4 @ TBD)*

(2) Boston vs. (7) Orlando

Game 1: Magic at Celtics (Sun. April 20 @ 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Game 2: Magic at Celtics (Wed. April 23 @ 7 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 3: Celtics at Magic (Fri. April 25 @ 7 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Game 4: Celtics at Magic (Sun. April 27 @ 7 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 5: Magic at Celtics (Tue. April 29 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Celtics at Magic (Thu. May 1 @ TBD)*
Game 7: Magic at Celtics (Sat. May 3 @ TBD)*

(3) New York vs. (6) Detroit

Game 1: Pistons at Knicks (Sat. April 19 @ 6 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Game 2: Pistons at Knicks (Mon. April 21 @ 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 3: Knicks at Pistons (Thu. April 24 @ 7 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 4: Knicks at Pistons (Sun. April 27 @ 1 p.m. ET on ABC)
Game 5: Pistons at Knicks (Tue. April 29 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Knicks at Pistons (Thu. May 1 @ TBD)*
Game 7: Pistons at Knicks (Sat. May 3 @ TBD)*

(4) Indiana vs. (5) Milwaukee

Game 1: Bucks at Pacers (Sat. April 19 @ 1 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Game 2: Bucks at Pacers (Tue. April 22 @ 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV)
Game 3: Pacers at Bucks (Fri. April 25 @ 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU/NBA TV)
Game 4: Pacers at Bucks (Sun. April 27 @ 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 5: Bucks at Pacers (Tue. April 29 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Pacers at Bucks (Fri. May 2 @ TBD)*
Game 7: Bucks at Pacers (Sun. May 4 @ TBD)*

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (8) TBD

Game 1: TBD at Thunder (Sun. April 20 @ 1 p.m. ET on ABC)
Game 2: TBD at Thunder (Tue. April 22 @ 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 3: Thunder at TBD (Thu. April 24 @ 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 4: Thunder at TBD (Sat. April 26 @ 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 5: TBD at Thunder (Mon. April 28 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Thunder at TBD (Thu. May 1 @ TBD)*
Game 7: TBD at Thunder (Sat. May 3 @ TBD)*

(2) Houston vs. (7) Golden State

Game 1: Warriors at Rockets (Sun. April 20 @ 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 2: Warriors at Rockets (Wed. April 23 @ 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 3: Rockets at Warriors (Sat. April 26 @ 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Game 4: Rockets at Warriors (Mon. April 28 @ 10 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 5: Warriors at Rockets (Wed. April 30 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Rockets at Warriors (Fri. May 2 @ TBD)*
Game 7: Warriors at Rockets (Sun. May 4 @ TBD)*

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota

Game 1: Timberwolves at Lakers (Sat. April 19 @ 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Game 2: Timberwolves at Lakers (Tue. April 22 @ 10 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 3: Lakers at Timberwolves (Fri. April 25 @ 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Game 4: Lakers at Timberwolves (Sun. April 27 @ 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
Game 5: Timberwolves at Lakers (Wed. April 30 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Lakers at Timberwolves (Fri. May 2 @ TBD)*
Game 7: Timberwolves at Lakers (Sun. May 4 @ TBD)*

(4) Denver vs. (5) LA Clippers

Game 1: Clippers at Nuggets (Sat. April 19 @ 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)
Game 2: Clippers at Nuggets (Mon. April 21 @ 10 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 3: Nuggets at Clippers (Thu. April 24 @ 10 p.m. ET on NBA TV)
Game 4: Nuggets at Clippers (Sat. April 26 @ 6 p.m. ET on TNT)
Game 5: Clippers at Nuggets (Tue. April 29 @ TBD)*
Game 6: Nuggets at Clippers (Thu. May 1 @ TBD)*
Game 7: Clippers at Nuggets (Sat. May 3 @ TBD)*

*if necessary

2025 NBA Playoffs Key Dates

But what happens after the Play-In Tournament? And when can you expect to see your team play live, if they make the playoffs? Below, you’ll find all the dates you need catch all the NBA postseason action. And check back here as the playoff picture is solidified and matchups and game times are announced.

End of regular season: Sunday, April 13
2025 SoFi Play-In Tournament: April 15-18
Conference Semifinals: May 5-6*
Conference Finals: May 20-21**
- May 20: Western Conference Finals – Game 1 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 21: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 1 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 22: Western Conference Finals – Game 2 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 23: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 2 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 24: Western Conference Finals – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 25: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 3 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 26: Western Conference Finals – Game 4 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
- May 27: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 4 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET
- May 28: Western Conference Finals – Game 5 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET***
- May 29: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 5 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET***
- May 30: Western Conference Finals – Game 6 on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET***
- May 31: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 6 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET***
- June 1: Western Conference Finals – Game 7 on ESPN, 8 p.m. ET***
- June 2: Eastern Conference Finals – Game 7 on TNT, 8 p.m. ET***
NBA Finals: June 5-22 (may conclude earlier)
- NBA Finals Game 1: Thursday, June 5
- NBA Finals Game 2: Sunday, June 8
- NBA Finals Game 3: Wednesday, June 11
- NBA Finals Game 4: Friday, June 13
- NBA Finals Game 5: Monday, June 16***
- NBA Finals Game 6: Thursday, June 19***
- NBA Finals Game 7: Sunday, June 22***

May be moved up based on first round results
May be moved up based on Conference Semifinal results
If necessary

Watch More Basketball with NBA League Pass & DIRECTV

From the first tip off of the regular season to the final buzzer beater of the NBA Finals, DIRECTV has got what basketball fans need. Not only can you get access to 30+ in and out of market regional sports networks (RSNs), but you can also get NBA TV with DIRECTV Sports Pack . And with unlimited DVR storage when you stream DIRECTV, you can watch or rewatch your team dominate the court anytime you want.*

And if you’re looking for even more NBA action, you can get NBA League Pass through your DIRECTV account, so everything you need for a top-notch basketball experience is in one place.

You don’t need a cable subscription to see your favorite teams hit the court live. Stream basketball games today with DIRECTV.

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