2025 NBA Playoffs & Play-In: How to Watch, Streaming & Cable Options, and Key Dates
What a wild and whacky season this has been. Between the Luka Doncic trade and the recent head coach firings, NBA teams are certainly keeping us fans on the edge of our seats, which suggests an equally fun playoffs is right around the corner. The excitement is building, and teams are anxiously battling it out for seeding positions, making it a great time to take stock and prepare for what promises to be another fantastic installment of NBA playoff action.
In this guide, we will make sure you know how to watch the NBA Playoffs online, and who has the NBA finals on TV. Along with some help from our constantly updating NBA page, our goal is to make sure you are fully informed on how to watch every NBA game live. Let’s get stuck in.
2025 NBA Playoffs: Key Dates
- April 13th: End of NBA regular season
- April 15-18th: So-Fi NBA Play-In Tournament
- April 19th: NBA Playoffs First Round Begins
- May 5-6th: Conference Semifinals Begin
- May 20th: Conference Finals Begin
- June 5th: NBA Finals Begin
How Does the NBA Play-In Tournament Work?
After all teams have played their 82 games, it’s time for the playoffs. The top 6 teams from each conference will earn automatic qualification for the playoffs, meaning they can put their feet up during the Play-In Tournament. This tournament is for the teams ranked 7 to 10 in each conference, who will battle it out to fill the final two playoff spots.
- Teams ranked 7-10 in each conference
- Winners fill the final two Playoff spots
Each team’s seventh-placed team will host the eighth-placed team, with the winner grabbing the seventh playoff spot immediately. Then, the same will happen between the ninth and tenth-seeded teams in each conference, except, this time, the loser goes home. The winner will then play the loser of the seventh-eighth-placed game, to determine who gets the final playoff spot.
How Do the NBA Playoffs Work?
Now that all 8 playoff positions have been filled in both conferences, the NBA Playoffs move into a traditional 16-team bracket, featuring four rounds. This means the top-seeded team in each conference will play the eighth seed, the second will play the seventh, and so on.
Each round is a best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded teams earning home-court advantage. This gives them the benefit of playing games 1, 2, 5, and 7 (if needed), in front of a home crowd. The NBA does not reseed after each round.
- Each round is a best-of-seven series
- Higher-seeded team earns home-court advantage
Eventually, after the Conference Finals have determined who the top team in each conference is, those teams will get the honor of battling it out in the NBA Finals, to determine who will be the 2025 NBA Champions.
How is the 2025 NBA Playoff Picture Shaping Up?
Heading into the NBA Playoffs, there are three teams who stand out as frontrunners. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder have both already clinched the Eastern and Western Conferences respectively, as the only teams to win over 60 games this year. However, it is the reigning champion Boston Celtics who have to enter the postseason as favorites. Their 59 wins at the time of writing put them as an easy second seed in the East, still churning out great performances, despite clearly going easy on their stars from a minutes perspective.
Over in Oklahoma, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is bee-lining towards his first-ever MVP Award, thanks to a superb 32.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. The Thunder got some useful playoff experience under their belt last year, and clearly have the talent to beat anyone. Can they get it done this year?
Cleveland have also been excellent all year, powered by Donovan Mitchell, whose 24 points per game have earned him a sixth-straight All-Star selection. He is brilliantly supported by fellow guard Darius Garland, who is also over 20 points per game, and Evan Mobley, a rising defensive star, who just notched his first All-Star selection. Don’t count these guys out.
Whilst those teams do stand clear as a top three, you, of course, can’t count out the LA Lakers. Their incredible trade for Luka Doncic has transformed their playoff hopes, and they proved their quality by beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in their own building recently. An offensive barrage from Doncic, LeBron James, and rising star Austin Reaves suggests box office entertainment, no matter who they draw.
As things stand, the Eastern Conference playoff picture has essentially already been determined, whereas there is still plenty to play for in the West. Four teams are currently tied on 47 wins, with LA then one ahead with 48, and Minnesota one behind, with 46. These last few games are going to be tense for fans hoping their team can avoid the Play-In and get some well-needed rest.
2025 NBA Playoffs Streaming and Cable TV Options
As we now transition into the wonderful world of playoff action, you’ll no longer be able to rely on your regional sports networks for games, with all NBA Playoff clashes being broadcast nationally. All games will be hosted across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV.
Watch every game with NBA League Pass
The most cost-effective way to enjoy every minute is with a subscription to NBA League Pass, which costs just $16.99 per month. This has all the pre-and post-game analysis you need, live games, and on-demand replays, including condensed versions with no ads. This is the ideal option for any basketball fan looking to enjoy the playoffs at a good price ─ SUBSCRIBE TO NBA LEAGUE PASS
Best Cable & Streaming Options
If you want a more advanced upgrade to your overall television viewing experience, while still getting all the playoff games, then a subscription to a major cable or streaming TV provider makes a lot of sense. Providers like Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirectTV Stream, etc., all have the channels you need for the NBA Playoffs, alongside a wide array of other sports and entertainment channels.
Find dates, times and channels on Livesportsontv.com
Finally, if you are ever wondering ‘Where can I watch the NBA Playoffs live?’, then make sure to check out our NBA TV guide. This has up-to-date information on game times and broadcasting channels, meaning you will always know exactly how to watch NBA Playoffs on TV today.