2026 NBA Playoff Games: Streaming Options for ABC, ESPN, NBC, and Prime
The NBA Playoffs are heating up, and if you’re craving insane shots, jaw-dropping dunks, and incredible plays, the NBA Finals are where you’ll want to be. Wondering how to catch all this action? Well, you can either go the traditional route and gather everyone around your living room TV with the cable package or do what most people prefer nowadays—dive into a video streaming service from wherever you are.
When it comes to live sports, the key is knowing when and where to watch. Following the SoFi Play-In Tournament, the playoffs are now in full swing. The first round runs through early May, leading into the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals, all culminating in the NBA Finals starting on June 3. Here’s the low-down on how to catch all the action.
Starting this year, the NBA playoffs are spread across ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon. ESPN/ABC has rights to broadcast 18 games in the first two rounds, one conference final per year, and the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, NBC/Peacock is airing 28 playoff games in the first two rounds and a conference final in six of the next 11 years. Amazon has taken the reins for the Play-In Tournament exclusively and will showcase all six games for the next decade.
Let’s get into the action:
– Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8) – Magic lead series 2-1
– Game 4: April 27, 8 p.m. ET – NBC/Peacock
– Game 5: April 29, 7 p.m. ET – Prime Video
– Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7) – Celtics lead series 3-1
– Game 5: April 28, 7 p.m. ET – ESPN
– New York Knicks (3) vs. Atlanta Hawks (6) – Series tied 2-2
– Game 5: April 28, 8 p.m. ET – NBC/Peacock
– Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5) – Series tied 2-2
– Game 5: April 29, 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
– Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (8) – Thunder lead series 3-0
– Game 4: April 27, 1 p.m. ET – ESPN
– San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7) – Spurs lead series 3-1
– Game 5: April 28, 9:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
– Denver Nuggets (3) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (6) – Timberwolves lead series 3-1
– Game 5: April 27, 10:30 p.m. ET – NBC/Peacock
– LA Lakers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5) – Lakers lead series 3-1
– Game 5: April 29, 10 p.m. ET – ESPN
And the grand finale:
– NBA Finals: June 3-19 (ABC)
– Game 1 – June 3, 8:30 p.m. ET
So mark your calendars, gather your snacks, and make sure you don’t miss a single slam dunk on the road to the NBA Finals!
