How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: FREE live streams
In the NBA Playoffs 2026 draw, the Thunder and Rockets have won the lottery. Barring a colossal early upset, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reigning champs will end up facing Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets or Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs, immediately after they’ve gone toe-to-toe with each other. Houston, meanwhile, have a First Round tie with a Lakers team missing their two best players — Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
You can watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE!
The Thunder, Spurs and Nuggets, the No.1, No.2 and No.3 seeds in the Western Conference, are arguably the three strongest teams in the entirety of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. The Detroit Pistons topped the Eastern Conference standings, but as strong as their defense is, their offense leaves plenty to be desired.
The No.2-seeded Celtics, meanwhile, are balanced on both sides of the ball, and although Jayson Tatum is still feeling his way back, Boston were one of the hottest teams in the league down the stretch. It would be an upset if the Knicks, seeded No.3, were to go out at the hands of the Hawks, but not a shock.
The Nuggets have the edge over the Spurs in terms of experience, this being Wemby’s first taste of the postseason and San Antonio’s first Playoff campaign since 2019, and it’s worth remembering that they took OKC to Game 7 last year in the conference semifinals.
Check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 from anywhere, including free options.
NBA Playoffs schedule 2026
PLAY-IN
Tuesday, April 14
7:30 p.m. — Heat vs Hornets | Prime Video
10 p.m. — Blazers vs Suns | Prime Video
Wednesday, April 15
7:30 p.m. — Magic vs 76ers | Prime Video
10 p.m. — Warriors vs Clippers | Prime Video
Friday, April 17
6:09 p.m. — Hornets vs Magic | Prime Video
8:09 p.m. — Warriors vs Suns | Prime Video
FIRST ROUND
Nuggets vs Timberwolves
Saturday, April 18, 3:30 p.m. — Game 1 @ Nuggets | Prime
Monday, April 20, 10:30 p.m. — Game 2 @ Nuggets | NBC
Thursday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. — Game 3 @ Timberwolves | Prime
Saturday, April 25, 8:30 p.m. — Game 4 @ Timberwolves | ABC
Monday, April 27 — Game 5 @ Nuggets | If needed
Thursday, April 30 — Game 6 @ Timberwolves | If needed
Saturday, May 2 — Game 7 @Nuggets | If needed
Lakers vs Rockets
Saturday, April 18, 8:30 p.m. — Game 1 @ Lakers | ABC
Tuesday, April 21, 10:30 p.m. — Game 2 @ Lakers | NBC
Friday, April 24, 8 p.m. — Game 3 @ Rockets | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. — Game 4 @ Rockets | NBC
Wednesday, April 29 — Game 5 @ Lakers | If needed
Friday, May 1 — Game 6 @ Rockets | If needed
Sunday, May 3 — Game 7 @ Lakers | If needed
Spurs vs Trail Blazers
Sunday, April 19, 9 p.m. — Game 1 @Spurs | NBC
Tuesday, April 21, 8 p.m. — Game 2 @ Spurs | NBC
Friday, April 24, 10:30 p.m. — Game 3 @Trail Blazers | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 3:30 p.m. — Game 4 @ Trail Blazers| ESPN
Tuesday, April 28 — Game 5 @ Spurs | If needed
Thursday, April 30 — Game 6 @ Trail Blazers | If needed
Saturday, May 2 — Game 7 @ Spurs | If needed
Thunder vs Suns/Warriors
Sunday, April 19, 3:30 p.m. — Game 1 @ Thunder | ABC
Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m. — Game 2 @ Thunder | ESPN
Saturday, April 25, 3:30 p.m. — Game 3 @TBD | NBC
Monday, April 27 — Game 4 @ TBD
Wednesday, April 29 — Game 5 @ Thunder | If needed
Friday, May 1 — Game 6 @ TBD | If needed
Sunday, May 3 — Game 7 @ Thunder | If needed
Knicks vs Hawks
Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m. — Game 1 @ Knicks | Prime
Monday, April 20, 8 p.m. — Game 2 @ Knicks | NBC
Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. — Game 3 @ Hawks | Prime
Saturday, April 25, 6 p.m. — Game 4 @Hawks | NBC
Tuesday, April 28 — Game 5 @ Knicks | If needed
Thursday, April 30 — Game 6 @ Hawks | If needed
Saturday, May 2 — Game 7 @ Knicks | If needed
Cavaliers vs Raptors
Saturday, April 18, 1 p.m. — Game 1 @ Cavaliers | Prime
Monday, April 20, 7 p.m. — Game 2 @ Cavaliers | Peacock
Thursday, April 23, 8 p.m. — Game 3 @ Raptors | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 1 p.m. — Game 4 @ Raptors | ESPN
Wednesday, April 29 — Game 5 @ Cavaliers | If needed
Friday, May 1 — Game 6 @ Raptors | If needed
Sunday, May 3 — Game 7 @ Cavaliers | If needed
Pistons vs Magic/Hornets
Sunday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. — Game 1 @ Pistons | NBC
Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m. — Game 2 @ Pistons | ESPN
Saturday, April 25, 1 p.m. — Game 3 @ TBD | Peacock
Monday, April 27 — Game 4 @ TBD | TBD
Wednesday, April 29 — Game 5 @ Pistons | If needed
Friday, May 1 — Game 6 @ TBD | If needed
Sunday, May 3 — Game 7 @ Pistons | If needed
Celtics vs 76ers
Sunday, April 19, 1 p.m. — Game 1 @ Celtics | ABC
Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. — Game 2 @ Celtics | Peacock
Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. — Game 3 @ 76ers | Prime
Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m. — Game 4 @ 76ers | NBC
Tuesday, April 28 — Game 5 @ Celtics | If needed
Thursday, April 30 — Game 6 @ 76ers | If needed
Saturday, May 2 — Game 7 @ Celtics | If needed
(All times ET)
Watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams for FREE
You can watch select NBA Playoff games free-of-charge on the NBA YouTube channel in India and on CCTV5 in China.
Away from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — you can use a VPN to to unblock that free NBA coverage. Details below…
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the NBA Playoffs on your usual subscription?
You can still tune in live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear as if they’re back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is Surfshark. It’s among the best on the market:
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, Surfshark is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you’re visiting the U.K. and want to view a U.S. service, select ‘United States’ from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to Sling, sign in, and watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs live.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the U.S.
In the U.S., the NBA Playoffs are being televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and NBC.
If you’ve already cut the cord and don’t have a cable package, you can get all of those channels through an OTT cable TV alternative.
Sling will give you the most bang for your buck. Sling Blue includes local network affiliates from FOX, NBC and ABC (availability varies by market). Sling Orange carries ESPN and ESPN2.
Both plans start at $46/month, but you can combine them for $66/month. You’ll get 50% off your first month if you subscribe to Blue or Orange & Blue.
Select games are exclusive to Prime Video, which costs $14.99/month or $139/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
ESPN and ABC simulcast their coverage on ESPN Unlimited, which carries ESPN Select and all ESPN channels, and costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year.
NBC simulcasts its games on Peacock. You’ll need at least a Premium plan to watch live sports, including the Premier League, starting at $10.99/month or $109.99/year.
YouTube TV, the DirecTV Stream MySports Genre Pack and Hulu With Live TV will also get you comprehensive NBA Playoffs coverage, while the Fubo Sports + News plan carries ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 as standard.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., the NBA Playoffs are split between Prime Video and Sky Sports.
Prime Video’s coverage includes the NBA Finals. A subscription costs £8.99/month or £95/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
Sky Sports packages start from £22/month if you’re an existing customer — ot check out Sky TV deals and packages if you want to sign up. Alternatively, Now Sports offers Daily, Monthly and Annual passes. Prices start at £14.99 for 24-hour access.
Alternatively, comprehensive NBA Playoffs coverage is available through NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99/month or £37.99 for the rest of the season.
If you’re not in the U.K. right now but already subscribe to one of these services, try using Surfshark to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs as if you were back at home.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Canada
In Canada, NBA Playoffs coverage is split between Sportsnet and TSN.
TSN+ grants access to everything TSN has to offer for CA$8/month or CA$80/year, and you can stream games live on Sportsnet Plus, which starts at CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/year.
If you live in Canada but aren’t at home right now, you can still watch NBA Playoffs 2026 by using a quality VPN like Surfshark to unlock your usual service.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Australia
In Australia, NBA Playoffs coverage is available on ESPN via Foxtel, as well as Kayo Sports and Disney Plus.
Kayo plans start from AU$30/month after a 7-day FREE trial, and include NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 2026 and more.
Disney Plus starts at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year.
Prime Video, meanwhile, is showing the Play-In tournament. A subscription costs AU$6.99/month or AU$59/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
Not in Australia right now? You can use a VPN like Surfshark to tune in on your account as if you were back home.
Who are the 2026 NBA Playoffs favorites?
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons are the No.1 seeds and de facto favorites, by virtue of topping the Western and Eastern Conference standings respectively.
When are the 2026 NBA Finals?
The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 3.
The earliest they could end is Wednesday, June 10, and the latest Friday, June 19.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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