The field is set for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and this postseason run will be stacked with compelling storylines as the league’s best barrel toward a fight for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are vying for a repeat championship while the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets have every intention of playing spoiler.
In the East, a “gap year” for the Boston Celtics turned into a #2 seed with Jayson Tatum back in action. With Cade Cunningham back, can the Detroit Pistons silence the naysayers who knock them as just a good regular season team? And is this the year for the Knicks?
This year, the NBA Playoffs will air on a handful of different channels and DIRECTV is your hub for watching live NBA games every day during the postseason.
How to Watch the NBA Playoffs First Round
The first round of the NBA Playoffs will air on multiple networks including ABC, NBC/Peacock, Amazon Prime and ESPN.
- ABC (find your local ABC affiliate)
- NBC (find your local NBC affiliate)
- ESPN (channel 206)
You can also stream select games by connecting Amazon Prime and Peacock right to your DIRECTV interface!
Eastern Conference
(1) Detroit Pistons vs. (8) Orlando Magic (Series tied 1-1)
Cade Cunningham is back and Detroit gets its first chance for the Pistons to show the world that they’re for real. They take on the eight-seed Orlando Magic who are looking to put a disappointing regular season behind them.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Orlando at Detroit | Sunday, April 19 | — | NBC/Peacock | Magic 112, Pistons 101 |
| Game 2 | Orlando at Detroit | Wednesday, April 22 | 7 p.m. | ESPN | Pistons 98, Magic 83 |
| Game 3 | Detroit at Orlando | Saturday, April 25 | 1 p.m. | Peacock | — |
| Game 4 | Detroit at Orlando | Monday, April 27 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 5* | Orlando at Detroit | Wednesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | Detroit at Orlando | Friday, May 1 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Orlando at Detroit | Sunday, May 3 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
(2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers (Series tied 1-1)
The Celtics were supposed to have a down year. And Jayson Tatum was supposed to miss the entire season. But Jaylen brown went MVP-mode, Tatum’s back and averaging a triple double and the Celtics are the two seed.
The Sixers are looking to play spoiler with a squad tailor-made to give this Boston team trouble.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Philadelphia at Boston | Sunday, April 19 | — | ABC | Celtics 123, 76ers 91 |
| Game 2 | Philadelphia at Boston | Tuesday, April 21 | 7 p.m. | Peacock | 76ers 111, Celtics 97 |
| Game 3 | Boston at Philadelphia | Friday, April 24 | 7 p.m. | Prime Video | — |
| Game 4 | Boston at Philadelphia | Sunday, April 26 | 7 p.m. | Peacock | — |
| Game 5* | Philadelphia at Boston | Tuesday, April 28 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | Boston at Philadelphia | Thursday, April 30 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Philadelphia at Boston | Saturday, May 2 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
(3) New York Knicks vs. (6) Atlanta Hawks (Series tied 1-1)
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the expectation for this Knicks team was championship. The three seed isn’t bad, but it isn’t great.
And getting a draw like this young, hungry Atlanta Hawks team isn’t great either. Jalen Johnson is flirting with triple doubles on a nightly basis and Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been on an offensive tear over the last few weeks of the season.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Atlanta at New York | Saturday, April 18 | — | Prime Video | Knicks 113, Hawks 102 |
| Game 2 | Atlanta at New York | Monday, April 20 | 8 p.m. | Prime Video | Hawks 107, Knicks 106 |
| Game 3 | New York at Atlanta | Thursday, April 23 | 7 p.m. | Prime Video | — |
| Game 4 | New York at Atlanta | Saturday, April 25 | 6 p.m. | NBC, Peacock | — |
| Game 5* | Atlanta at New York | Tuesday, April 28 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | New York at Atlanta | Thursday, April 30 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Atlanta at New York | Saturday, May 2 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Toronto Raptors (Cavaliers lead series 2-0)
Cleveland traded for James Harden at the deadline to get them into championship contention and their first hurdle is a team they could not beat this year, the Toronto Raptors.
Cleveland has been a top five offense all year and Toronto is a top five defense. This series should be a scrappy affair.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Toronto at Cleveland | Saturday, April 18 | — | Prime Video | Cavaliers 126, Raptors 113 |
| Game 2 | Toronto at Cleveland | Monday, April 20 | 7 p.m. | Peacock | Cavaliers 115, Raptors 105 |
| Game 3 | Cleveland at Toronto | Thursday, April 23 | 8 p.m. | Prime Video | — |
| Game 4 | Cleveland at Toronto | Sunday, April 26 | 1 p.m. | ESPN | — |
| Game 5* | Toronto at Cleveland | Wednesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | Cleveland at Toronto | Friday, May 1 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Toronto at Cleveland | Sunday, May 3 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) Phoenix Suns (Thunder lead series 2-0)
The reigning champs enter as the NBA’s number one overall seed with a second straight 60+ win season. This series should be a tune up for the semifinals as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams get some much-needed minutes together.
Phoenix clawed their way out of the play-in and get rewarded with the league’s best team. The surprising Suns will be David to OKC’s Goliath.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Sunday, April 19 | — | ABC | Thunder 119, Suns 84 |
| Game 2 | Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Wednesday, April 22 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN | Thunder 120, Suns 107 |
| Game 3 | Oklahoma City at Phoenix | Saturday, April 25 | 3:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock | — |
| Game 4 | Oklahoma City at Phoenix | Monday, April 27 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 5* | Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Wednesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | Oklahoma City at Phoenix | Friday, May 1 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Phoenix at Oklahoma City | Sunday, May 3 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers (Series tied 1-1)
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are 4-1 against the Thunder on the season and 3-1 against the Nuggets, there is not a single player in that organization that thinks a lack of experience in the playoffs can keep them from an NBA Title.
The Blazers upset the Suns to take the seven seed in the West and now must hope their momentum can help them overtake the Spurs.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Portland at San Antonio | Sunday, April 19 | — | NBC/Peacock | Spurs 111, Trail Blazers 98 |
| Game 2 | Portland at San Antonio | Tuesday, April 21 | 8 p.m. | NBC, Peacock | Trail Blazers 106, Spurs 103 |
| Game 3 | San Antonio at Portland | Friday, April 24 | 10:30 p.m. | TBD | — |
| Game 4 | San Antonio at Portland | Sunday, April 26 | 3:30 p.m. | TBD | — |
| Game 5* | Portland at San Antonio | Tuesday, April 28 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | San Antonio at Portland | Thursday, April 30 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Portland at San Antonio | Saturday, May 2 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
(3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves (Series tied 1-1)
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic might have just had his best season, and the Nuggets have won 12 straight. They got another playoff matchup with Minnesota who is still getting Anthony Edwards back into game shape in time for his most electric time of year.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Minnesota at Denver | Saturday, April 18 | — | Prime Video | Nuggets 116, Timberwolves 105 |
| Game 2 | Minnesota at Denver | Monday, April 20 | 10:30 p.m. | NBC | Timberwolves 119, Nuggets 114 |
| Game 3 | Denver at Minnesota | Thursday, April 23 | 9:30 p.m. | Prime Video | — |
| Game 4 | Denver at Minnesota | Saturday, April 25 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | — |
| Game 5* | Minnesota at Denver | Monday, April 27 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | Denver at Minnesota | Thursday, April 30 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Minnesota at Denver | Saturday, May 2 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
(4) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (5) Houston Rockets (Lakers lead series 2-0)
The Lakers are limping into the playoffs with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves battling injuries. After finishing as the second seed last year, finishing as the fifth seed in the West might be a slight disappointment in Houston, but getting out of the first round would wipe it away.
| Game | Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | Channel | Outcome |
| Game 1 | Houston at Los Angeles | Saturday, April 18 | — | ABC | Lakers 107, Rockets 98 |
| Game 2 | Houston at Los Angeles | Tuesday, April 21 | 10:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock | Lakers 101, Rockets 94 |
| Game 3 | Los Angeles at Houston | Friday, April 24 | 8 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video | — |
| Game 4 | Los Angeles at Houston | Sunday, April 26 | 9:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock | — |
| Game 5* | Houston at Los Angeles | Wednesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 6* | Los Angeles at Houston | Friday, May 1 | TBD | TBD | — |
| Game 7* | Houston at Los Angeles | Sunday, May 3 | TBD | TBD | — |
*If necessary
How to Watch the NBA Conference Semifinals
The NBA Conference Semifinals schedule will be determined at the conclusion of the first round of the playoffs. The winner of the 1 vs. 8 matchup will play the winner of the 4 vs. 5 matchup. The winner of the 2 vs. 7 matchup will play the winner of the 3 vs. 6 matchup.
The conference semifinals will air on national broadcast networks
How to Watch the NBA Conference Finals
The NBA Conference Finals schedule will be determined at the conclusion of the NBA conference semifinals.
The winners of each semifinal matchup will battle it out for conference supremacy and a ticket to the NBA Finals.
How to Watch the NBA Finals
ABC will once again be the exclusive home of the NBA Finals with coverage beginning June 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
| Game 1 | June 3 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 2 | June 5 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 3 | June 8 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 4 | June 10 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 5* | June 13 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 6* | June 16 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Game 7* | June 19 | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
*If necessary
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