2026 NBA playoffs schedule: Recreation occasions, dates for first-round matchups

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The 2025-26 NBA common season got here to a detailed on Sunday, and the 20-team postseason bracket is ready. The Play-In Event might be held from Tuesday by way of Firday to find out the No. 7 and eight seeds in each conferences, after which the primary spherical will tip off on Saturday. The dates for Recreation 1s of the first-round collection had been introduced Sunday evening.

Whereas the play-in will decide half of the first-round matchups, we all know 4 of the collection. Within the East, the third-seeded Knicks will face the sixth-seeded Hawks, and the fourth-seeded Cavaliers will sq. off with the fifth-seeded Raptors. Within the West, it is Nuggets-Timberwolves within the 3-6 matchup and Lakers-Rockets within the 4-5. The Nuggets and Wolves are assembly within the postseason for the third time in 4 years. The Lakers vs. Rockets matchup, in the meantime, pits LeBron James in opposition to Kevin Durant within the playoffs for the primary time because the 2018 NBA Finals when Durant’s Warriors beat James’ Cavaliers.

The highest seeds in every convention must await the outcomes of the play-in to see who they face within the first spherical. Additionally they want to attend a day to get their first-round collection began. The Pistons, Celtics, Thunder and Spurs will all host Recreation 1s on Sunday.

This is a take a look at all of the playoff dates and sport occasions that we all know to this point.

Play-In Event schedule

Tuesday, April 14

Hornets vs. Warmth, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime — Loser is eradicated from postseason
Suns vs. Path Blazers/Clippers, 10 p.m. ET, Prime — Winner will get West No. 7 seed

Wednesday, April 15

76ers vs. Magic, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime — Winner will get East No. 7 seed
Path Blazers/Clippers vs. Warriors, 10 p.m. ET, Prime — Loser is eradicated from postseason

Friday, April 17

76ers/Magic vs. Hornets/Warmth, 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime — Winner will get East No. 8 seed, loser is eradicated from postseason
TBD vs. TBD, 10 p.m. ET, Prime — Winner will get West No. 8 seed, loser is eradicated from postseason

2026 NBA playoffs schedule

All occasions Japanese. Video games on ABC and ESPN are streaming on fubo (Strive without spending a dime).

Saturday, April 18

No. 4 Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Raptors, 1 p.m., Prime
No. 3 Nuggets vs. No. 6 Timberwolves, 3:30 p.m., Prime
No. 3 Knicks vs. No. 6 Hawks, 6 p.m., Prime
No. 4 Lakers vs. No. 5 Rockets, 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo

Sunday, April 19

No. 2 Celtics vs. No. 7 TBD, 1 p.m., ABC/fubo
No. 1 Thunder vs. No. 8 TBD, 3:30 p.m., ABC/fubo
No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 8 TBD, 6:30 p.m., NBC
No. 2 Spurs vs. No. 7 TBD, 9 p.m., NBC

The remainder of the first-round schedule might be launched within the coming days.

2026 NBA playoffs key dates

April 18-19: First-round collection start
Might 2-4: Second spherical begins
Might 10: 2026 NBA Draft Lottery
Might 19: Japanese Convention Finals start
Might 20: Western Convention Finals start
June 3: NBA Finals Recreation 1
June 19: NBA Finals Recreation 7 (if obligatory)

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