The 2026 NBA playoffs tip off this weekend with eight games across Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19. You can catch NBA playoff games on ABC, NBC, ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video. Looking to watch the tournament with just one streaming service? We’ve (almost) got you covered. With DIRECTV’s MySports® Genre Pack®, you’ll have everything you need to tune in, apart from Prime Video — but who doesn’t have access to an Amazon account these days, anyway?
Here’s what you need to know so you won’t miss a single game of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
How to watch the 2026 NBA playoffs:
Dates: April 18 – June, 2026
TV channels: NBC, ESPN, ABC
Streaming: DIRECTV
When are the 2026 NBA playoffs?
The 2026 NBA playoffs officially get underway on April 18. The Eastern Conference finals are scheduled to begin May 19, and the Western Conference finals are scheduled for May 20. The NBA finals are set to begin on June 3, 2026.
What channels are broadcasting NBA playoff games?
NBA playoff games will be broadcast across Prime Video, NBC, ABC, and ESPN.
How to watch the 2026 NBA playoffs without cable:
NBA playoff games that air on NBC, ABC and ESPN are all available to stream with DIRECTV’s MySports® Genre Pack®, which includes access to ESPN (and the ESPN Unlimited streaming tier), local ABC and NBC.
DIRECTV
With the DIRECTV Genre Packs®, you can hone in on the channels most important to you (or most important for a specific event, like the Masters tournament or the 2026 NBA Playoffs).
DIRECTV’s MySports® Genre Pack® includes everything you need to keep up with the NBA playoffs (apart from some Prime Video-exclusive games): local ABC, NBC, ESPN, and access to ESPN Unlimited.
The MySports® Genre Pack® starts at $44.99/month for your first two months, then goes up to $64.99/month thereafter. But the best part is that you can try it out for free for 5 days first!
Cancel anytime. Local channels vary by market. Blackout restrictions apply. Select sales channels only.
This will not replace any existing Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, or Disney bundle subscription you may already have. All other accounts must be managed separately. You must remain on an eligible plan to retain your offer.
Note: You’ll still need Amazon Prime access to catch the Prime Video-exclusive NBA playoff games — but who doesn’t have Amazon Prime access these days?
Why we love DIRECTV:
As Senior Yahoo Tech writer Rick Broida puts it, DIRECTV is the “polished and likable” cable alternative that cord-cutters have been searching for. Miss flipping through endless channels on the hunt for a gem to tune into? DIRECTV’s got one of the best channel guides out there. And in terms of content diversity, DIRECTV has you covered there, too, with packages ranging from hyper-specific Genre Packs for sports fans and reality TV zealots to full-coverage options for TV fans who want it all. Sports fans, meanwhile, will appreciate that ESPN Unlimited is included with many DIRECTV plans to boot. And don’t worry about missing your favorite shows, either: In addition to live channels, DIRECTV offers a full range of on-demand programming and unlimited DVR, too. That’s why we called DIRECTV the best cable TV replacement in the streaming world.
2026 NBA playoffs schedule this week:
April 18
April 19
2026 NBA playoffs key dates:
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May 4: Conference Semifinals begin (can move up to May 2 or 3)
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May 19: Eastern Conference Finals begin on ESPN/ABC (can move up to May 17)
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May 20: Western Conference Finals begin on NBC/Peacock (can move up to May 18)
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June 3: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 1 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
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June 5: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 2 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
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June 8: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 3 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
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June 10: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 4 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
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June 13: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 5 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
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June 16: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 6 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
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June 19: NBA Finals 2026 – Game 7 on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET (if necessary)
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