National Basketball Association

2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free

Updated May. 16, 2025 8:33 a.m. ET

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The NBA Playoffs are here! Check out when and where you can watch each game and NBA Finals:

2025 NBA Playoffs Schedule

Thursday, May 15

• Nuggets 119, Thunder 107

Friday, May 16

• Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks - 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sunday, May 18

• Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

Paul Pierce walks 8 hours to work after losing a bet in Game 2 of Celtics-Knicks | Speak

Paul Pierce arrives in a wheelchair after walking eight hours to work after the Boston Celtics came up short in Game 2.

Conference Semifinals - East

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Indiana Pacers

• Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavs 112
• Game 2: Pacers 120, Cavs 119
• Game 3: Cavs 126, Pacers 104
• Game 4: Pacers 129, Cavs 109
• Game 5: Pacers 114, Cavs 105

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (3) New York Knicks

• Game 1: Knicks 108, Celtics 105 (OT)
• Game 2: Knicks 91, Celtics 90
• Game 3: Celtics 115, Knicks 93
• Game 4: Knicks 121, Celtics 113
• Game 5: Celtics 127, Knicks 102
• Game 6*: Friday, May 16 at New York - 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Game 7*: Monday, May 19 at Boston - 8 p.m. ET (TNT)

Conference Semifinals - West

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets

• Game 1: Nuggets 121, Thunder 119
• Game 2: Thunder 149, Nuggets 106
• Game 3: Nuggets 113, Thunder 104 (OT)
• Game 4: Thunder 92, Nuggets 87
• Game 5: Thunder 112, Nuggets 105
• Game 6: Nuggets 119, Thunder 107
• Game 7: Sunday, May 18 at Oklahoma City - TBA

(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors

• Game 1: Warriors 99, Timberwolves 88
• Game 2: Timberwolves 117, Warriors 93
• Game 3: Timberwolves 102, Warriors 97
• Game 4: Timberwolves 117, Warriors 110
• Game 5: Timberwolves 121, Warriors 110

First Round - East

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (8) Miami Heat

• Game 1: Cavs 121, Heat 100
• Game 2: Cavs 121, Heat 112
• Game 3: Cavs 124, Heat 87
• Game 4: Cavs 138, Heat 83

(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Orlando Magic 

• Game 1: Celtics 103, Magic 86
• Game 2: Celtics 109, Magic 100
• Game 3: Magic 95, Celtics 93
• Game 4: Celtics 107, Magic 98
• Game 5: Celtics 120, Magic 89

(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Detroit Pistons 

• Game 1: Knicks 123, Pistons 112
• Game 2: Pistons 100, Knicks 94
• Game 3: Knicks 118, Pistons 116
• Game 4: Knicks 94, Pistons 93
• Game 5: Pistons 105, Knicks 103
• Game 6: Knicks 116, Pistons 113

(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Milwaukee Bucks 

• Game 1: Pacers 117, Bucks 98
• Game 2: Pacers 123, Bucks 115
• Game 3: Bucks 117, Pacers 101
• Game 4: Pacers 129, Bucks 103
• Game 5: Pacers 119, Bucks 118 (OT)

First Round - West

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Memphis Grizzlies

• Game 1: Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
• Game 2: Thunder 118, Grizzlies 99
• Game 3: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108
• Game 4: Thunder 117, Grizzlies 115

(2) Houston Rockets vs. (7) Golden State Warriors 

• Game 1: Warriors 95, Rockets 85
• Game 2: Rockets 109, Warriors 94
• Game 3: Warriors 104, Rockets 93
• Game 4: Warriors 109, Rockets 106
• Game 5: Rockets 131, Warriors 116
• Game 6: Rockets 115, Warriors 107
• Game 7: Warriors 103, Rockets 89

(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves 

• Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
• Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85
• Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104
• Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113
• Game 5: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96

(4) Denver Nuggets vs. (5) LA Clippers 

• Game 1: Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 (OT)
• Game 2: Clippers 105, Nuggets 102
• Game 3: Clippers 117, Nuggets 83
• Game 4: Nuggets 101, Clippers 99
• Game 5: Nuggets 131, Clippers 115
• Game 6: Clippers 111, Nuggets 105
• Game 7: Nuggets 120, Clippers 101

* If necessary

When do the NBA playoffs start?

Since 2020, the NBA playoffs have tipped off with the NBA play-in tournament. The play-in tournament began on April 15. The first round of the NBA playoffs started on April 19.

How can I watch the NBA Playoffs?

The NBA playoffs will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. Most traditional cable/satellite subscriptions have packages including some or all of these channels. You can also stream the full NBA playoffs with streaming providers Sling, fubo TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DIRECTV STREAM.

Can I watch the Playoffs and Finals for free?

If you have an over-the-air antenna, you can catch some playoff matchups and every NBA Finals game on ABC. Some streaming services also have free trials available.

Who is in the 2025 NBA playoffs?

The 2025 NBA Playoff Bracket is set. Check out the teams playing here.

How can I watch the play-in tournament?

The play-in tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT.

When do the NBA conference semifinals start?

The 2025 NBA conference semifinals begin on May 5-6, but could move up to May 3-4 if the playoff series ends early.

When do the NBA conference finals start?

The 2025 NBA conference finals begin on May 21-22, but could move up to May 19-20 if the playoff series end early.

When do the NBA Finals start?

The NBA Finals start on June 5, featuring the winners of the Eastern and Western Conference finals. The NBA Finals could end anytime from June 13 and June 22, depending on the series.

How can I watch the NBA Finals?

The NBA Finals will broadcast on ABC. ABC is available on many streaming services, including DIRECTV STREAM, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV. You can also catch NBA Finals games with an over-the-air antenna that has access to a local broadcasting station.

2025 NBA Finals Schedule

• Thursday, June 5: Game 1 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
• Sunday, June 8: Game 2 (8 p.m., ABC)
• Wednesday, June 11: Game 3 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
• Friday, June 13: Game 4 (8:30 p.m., ABC)
• Monday, June 16: Game 5 (8:30 p.m., ABC)*
• Thursday, June 19: Game 6 (8:30 p.m., ABC)*
• Sunday, June 22: Game 7 (8 p.m., ABC)*

* if necessary

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