I watch the NBA Playoffs every year. And while I have more fun when the Los Angeles Lakers are playing, the truth is I enjoy the high-level competition of every team.
I couldn’t be more excited about the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Will the Oklahoma City Thunder repeat? Can the Lakers hold off the Houston Rockets long enough for Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to return? Can the Boston Celtics actually win it all?
We’ll get our answers soon enough. In the meantime, you need a game plan for your screen. Keep reading to find out exactly how to tune in to every game of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
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What channels have NBA Playoffs games?
The NBA’s national TV landscape is wider after the league’s new media deal kicked in for the 2025–2026 season. It can be somewhat confusing to know which network or streamer is showing what game on what day.
But that’s why I’m here. The NBA Playoffs will air or stream on ABC, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock Premium. Any game on NBC will also stream on Peacock Premium.
Pro tip: The NBA Play-In Tournament streams exclusively on Prime Video.
2026 NBA Playoffs TV schedule
The playoffs span about two months and can be unpredictable due to the best-of-seven format for all four rounds. Below are the start dates and channels of each round. You can check out our NBA team pages for a round-by-round look at each team’s postseason journey.
| Round | Start date | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | Saturday, April 18 | ABC, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, ESPN |
| Conference Semifinals | Monday, May 4* | ABC, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, ESPN |
| Conference Finals | Tuesday, May 19* | ABC, NBC, Peacock Premium, ESPN |
| NBA Finals | Wednesday, June 3 | ABC |
*Dates are subject to move up depending on when the previous rounds conclude.
Best TV plans for watching the NBA Playoffs
Every NBA playoff game—from the first round to the Finals—will air on a national TV channel, whether it’s a traditional network or a dedicated streaming app. If you want to watch every game, I suggest having access to multiple services, particularly those with a lot of DVR storage.
In the section below, I highlighted my two favorite TV plans for piecing together complete playoff coverage.
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.)
In my experience, YouTube TV is great for watching the NBA Playoffs. You can watch every game except what’s streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You’ll even be able to watch Peacock exclusives on NBC Sports Network with YouTube TV.
But what I love most about this service is its unlimited DVR storage. That comes in clutch when life gets in the way of my playoffs-watching, and I can cue it up on demand whenever I have time.
Amazon Prime Video ($8.99–$17.98/mo.)
Prime Video has become an essential service for NBA fans. First of all, it’s the exclusive home of the NBA Play-In Tournament. And, several games in the first and second rounds of the NBA Playoffs will stream exclusively there.
Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial and features original movies and TV shows, a huge library of other entertainment, and several add-on services—including NBA League Pass.
How to watch the NBA Playoffs for free
While you won’t be able to watch the entirety of the NBA Playoffs for free, you’ll still have multiple games where you actually can—and quite easily, I might add.
First and foremost, an over-the-air antenna will get you any games on ABC and NBC. I like the Mohu Leaf 50 for its relatively long range and straightforward setup.
Aside from the digital antenna, I suggest looking into free trials of live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV. Just keep in mind that those trials last only a few days.
Last but not least, you can get a 30-day free trial to Amazon Prime Video for matchups streaming exclusively on that platform.
How to watch NBA Playoffs FAQ
How can I stream the NBA Playoffs?
There are several ways to stream the NBA Playoffs. Several games will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Other matchups are available through live TV streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DIRECTV. You can also stream games on ESPN and ABC with ESPN Unlimited.
Are the NBA Playoffs on Netflix?
No, the NBA Playoffs are not on Netflix. You can watch the 2026 playoffs on ABC, NBC, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Peacock Premium.
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
The NBA Playoffs tip off on Saturday, April 18, and wrap up in mid-June.
Can I watch the NBA Playoffs on Amazon Prime?
Yes. Multiple NBA Playoff games are streaming exclusively on Prime Video in the first and second rounds. Every Play-In game will stream on Prime Video, too.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, follows the NBA religiously. He researched every nook and cranny of the NBA Playoffs schedule and verified what TV and streaming plans make the most sense for fans who don’t want to miss a single play.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
