What Channel Are the 2025 NBA Playoffs On?

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are here, bringing two months of nonstop basketball drama from April through June. You can catch every game across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, with select matchups also airing on ESPN Deportes.

Last season, the Boston Celtics took home the title, but the road to the Finals is wide open this year. Whether you’re backing the Cleveland Cavaliers, hoping for a deep run from the Oklahoma City Thunder, or rooting for a Cinderella story, the postseason promises highlight-worthy hoops at every turn.

Most cable, satellite, and live TV streaming providers carry the key playoff channels. Keep scrolling for our top picks and tips on how to watch the NBA Playoffs without missing a moment.

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• NBA Playoffs channels
• NBA Playoffs TV schedule
• How to watch the NBA Playoffs

What channels show the NBA Playoffs?

You’ll need a TV package with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV to catch every game of the NBA Playoffs and the NBA Finals. Select matchups will also air on ESPN Deportes if you prefer Spanish-language commentary.

Because NBA playoff games are nationally televised, NBA League Pass won’t broadcast playoff games live. But it does offer live audio for every matchup, and you can watch each playoff game on demand three hours after the initial broadcast ends.

2025 NBA Playoffs TV schedule

The 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off in mid-April and feature two months of postseason action. It all starts with the Play-In Tournament on April 15, followed by the first round on April 19. From there, teams battle through each stage en route to the NBA Finals in June, where one team will claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Check out the table below for a round-by-round look at the 2025 NBA Playoffs TV schedule. Exact start dates may shift depending on how quickly each round wraps up.

Data effective as of post date.

How can I watch the NBA Playoffs?

Now that you know the channels you’ll need and the dates you’ll need them, we’ve got some recommendations on how to watch the NBA Playoffs and the NBA Finals.

And fear not, hoopsters: All of the services and packages we recommend below include ABC, ESPN, and TNT. You just might miss out on NBA TV, which doesn’t show many NBA playoff games anyway.

How to watch the NBA Playoffs without cable

Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Sports Extra is $11/mo. in addition to the cost of your Sling Orange base plan.

If you’re looking to save cash, Sling TV Orange is a good deal at just $45.99/mo.. It comes with ESPN and TNT, plus ESPN3 for every NBA on ABC broadcast. The only catch is that you’ll need the Sports Extra add-on ($11.00/mo.) to get NBA TV. You may also want one of Sling TV’s free antenna deals to get complete access to ABC, but that requires prepaying for multiple months of service.

We love YouTube TV. It does, however, come with a price tag: $82.99/mo., to be exact. But you can cancel any time, so why not splurge for the NBA Playoffs?

If you’re a Hulu fan (Go Big Green!), you can’t go wrong with Hulu + Live TV. You’ll get all that fantastic Hulu on-demand content and 95+ live channels, including ABC, ESPN, and TNT. You’ll only miss out on NBA TV games.

How to watch the NBA Playoffs with cable or satellite TV

* All offers require 2-year commitment with early termination fee and eAutoPay.
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

You’re probably wondering why we’d even bother with cable packages at this point. We know, we know, streaming’s all the rage, but a lot of cable packages give you more total channels for about the same price as the live TV streaming services above.

Spectrum TV Select will cost you less than YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV and get you way more channels. Just remember that this jewel of a TV plan is only available in Spectrum service areas.

DISH Network, on the other hand, is pretty much available anywhere. We like to think of DISH as the Michael Jordan of satellite TV: G.O.A.T. (chill, Lebron fans). So if you’re willing to shell out some extra cash, DISH will have your NBA Playoff needs covered and then some.

If you live in the New York area and you want a sweet, sweet TV and internet bundle, Optimum has you covered.

With Optimum Select TV + Optimum 300, you’ll get over 200+ channels (including ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV) and download speeds up to 300 Mbps. That’s a good grip of internet speed for most small- to medium-sized households. Again, like Spectrum, you’ll need to check if Optimum is available in your area.

What’s the best way to watch the NBA Playoffs?

From mid-April to early June, live NBA playoff games air on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. Most TV providers offer the four playoff channels and additional overflow networks like ESPN2, TBS, and truTV. But you’ll want a TV plan that makes the most sense for your viewing setup.

YouTube TV is an excellent choice for cord-cutters because it offers every playoff channel and other popular networks. Its multiview feature and unlimited DVR storage are also handy for diehard sports fans who can’t watch everything simultaneously.

If fast and reliable internet isn’t available in your area, you’ll want a cable or satellite TV plan. DISH is great because it’s available nationwide and comes with hundreds of channels. You’ll also get tons of NBA coverage all year—including NBA Summer League games, which tip off shortly after the playoffs.

How to watch the NBA Playoffs FAQ

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