Spring is in full swing, which means the 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially here. While the final seed in each conference remains up for grabs as of now, the majority of the matchups are officially locked in as teams now prepare for their opening-round opponents.
There’s plenty of high-stakes basketball on deck — here’s the start date and full schedule for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
The first round of the NBA Playoffs begins on Saturday, April 19. The opening-day slate tips off at 1 p.m. EST and includes four games with some of the league’s brightest stars in action.
Where to watch the NBA Playoffs?
As for where to watch superstars such as LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic take the court, games are scheduled to air across a handful of TV and streaming channels. Fans can watch games on ABC, ESPN and TNT, as well as truTV and Max throughout the playoffs.
Full first-round NBA Playoffs schedule
Saturday, April 19 (All times EST)
- Bucks @ Pacers — Game 1, 1 p.m., ESPN
- Clippers @ Nuggets — Game 1, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
- Pistons @ Knicks — Game 1, 6 p.m., ESPN
- Timberwolves @ Lakers — Game 1, 8:30 p.m., ABC
Sunday, April 20
- No. 8 West @ Thunder — Game 1, 1 p.m., ABC
- Magic @ Celtics — Game 1, 3:30 p.m., ABC
- No. 8 East @ Cavaliers — Game 1, 7 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
- Warriors @ Rockets — Game 1, 9:30 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
Monday, April 21
- Pistons @ Knicks — Game 2, 7:30 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
- Clippers @ Nuggets — Game 2, 10 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
Tuesday, April 22
- Bucks @ Pacers — Game 2, 7 p.m., NBA TV
- No. 8 West @ Thunder — Game 2, 7:30 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
- Timberwolves @ Lakers — Game 2, 10 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
Wednesday, April 23
- Magic @ Celtics — Game 2, 7 p.m. EST, TNT/truTV/Max
- No. 8 East @ Cavaliers — Game 2, 7:30 p.m. EST, NBA TV
- Warriors @ Rockets — Game 2, 9:30 p.m., TNT/truTV/Max
Thursday, April 24
- Knicks @ Pistons — Game 3, time/channel TBD
- Thunder @ No. 8 West — Game 3, time/channel TBD
- Nuggets @ Clippers — Game 3, time/channel TBD
Friday, April 25
- Celtics @ Magic — Game 3, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Pacers @ Bucks — Game 3, 8 p.m., ESPNU/NBA TV
- Lakers @ Timberwolves — Game 3, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, April 26
- Cavaliers @ No. 8 East — Game 3, 1 p.m., TNT
- Thunder @ No. 8 West — Game 4, 3:30 p.m., TNT
- Nuggets @ Clippers — Game 4, 6 p.m., TNT
- Rockets @ Warriors — Game 3, 8:30 p.m., ABC
Sunday, April 27
- Knicks @ Pistons — Game 4, 1 p.m., ABC
- Lakers @ Timberwolves — Game 4, 3:30 p.m., ABC
- Celtics @ Magic — Game 4, 7 p.m., TNT
- Pacers @ Bucks — Game 4, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Monday, April 28
- Cavaliers @ No. 8 East — Game 4, time/channel TBD
- No. 8 West @ Thunder — Game 5(if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Rockets @ Warriors — Game 4, 10 p.m., TNT
Tuesday, April 29
- Magic @ Celtics — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Pistons @ Knicks — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Bucks @ Pacers — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Clippers @ Nuggets — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Wednesday, April 30
- No. 8 East @ Cavaliers — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Warriors @ Rockets — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Timberwolves @ Lakers — Game 5 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Thursday, May 1
- Celtics @ Magic — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Knicks @ Pistons — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Thunder @ No. 8 West — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Nuggets @ Clippers — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Friday, May 2
- Cavaliers @ No. 8 East — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Pacers @ Bucks — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Rockets @ Warriors — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Lakers @ Timberwolves — Game 6 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Saturday, May 3
- Magic @ Celtics — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Pistons @ Knicks — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- No. 8 West @ Thunder — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Clippers @ Nuggets — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
Sunday, May 4
- No 8. East @ Cavaliers — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Bucks @ Pacers — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Warriors @ Rockets — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
- Timberwolves @ Lakers — Game 7 (if necessary), time/channel TBD
