How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: live streams, schedule | Tech Radar

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How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: live streams, schedule, TV channels

16 teams remain in the hunt for a place in this year's NBA Finals – can OKC go back-to-back?

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NBA Playoffs 2026: April 18 to June 19 (Finals from June 3)

Stream on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock & Amazon Prime (US)

NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City Thunder in hot pursuit of a first back-to-back NBA championship since Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant's great Golden State Warriors achieved the feat eight years ago.

OKC backed up their Finals win with a superb regular season, dropping only 18 games in the West. The San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and 2025's losing Conference finalists the Minnesota Timberwolves are looking like the franchises most likely to stand in their way. Although perhaps the biggest story in their side of the bracket is taking place in Los Angeles, where the father-son combo of Le Bron and Bronny James are hoping to take the Lakers to a first title since 2020. They face the Houston Rockets first up.

With defending Eastern Conference champions the Indiana Pacers failing to make the postseason, the scene is set for the number 1 seeded Detroit Pistons to have a first tilt at the Finals in two decades. They face the Orlando Magic first, followed by the winners of the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics – the latter of which won the whole thing in 2024 thanks to the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are also hoping to go far in the East this postseason.

Here's where to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams online from anywhere.

Not easily. NBA basketball is largely stuck behind the paywall around the world – though there are a few ways.

And there will be some action shown for free in countries like China (on CCTV) and India (on the NBA's You Tube channel).

How to watch any NBA Playoffs 2026 stream using a VPN

A VPN is a handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, letting you unlock your usual streaming service. The best VPN right now? We recommend Nord VPN – it does everything and comes with a discount of up to 76%.

Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.

Tech Radar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and Nord VPN is our #1 choice.

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Get Nord VPN and stream NBA action from anywhere today.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the US

National coverage of the 2026 Playoffs is shared across a diverse range of broadcasters and streaming platforms. ABC and ESPN (on TV and through ESPN Unlimited), NBC (on TV and through the Peacock streaming service) and Amazon Prime Video will all show games through the postseason. You can discover which games will be broadcast by which channels in our 'Schedule' section below.

The Finals are set to be broadcast exclusively by ABC and ESPN Unlimited.

If you're a cord cutter wanting to watch as much coverage as possible with one subscription, you could try Sling TV's Orange + Blue plan for $61 per month, which carries ESPN, and ABC and NBC in selected cities.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Canada

In Canada, NBA Playoffs 2026 coverage is shared between Sportsnet and TSN.

That means you can also watch online thanks to their respective Sportsnet+ (

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the UK

NBA Playoffs 2026 action is split between Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video in the UK.

Alternatively, die-hard fans might want to check out NBA League Pass, which costs from £16.99 a month or £37.99 for the remainder of the season and unlocks access to every single game of the 2026 Playoffs.

Outside the UK? You’ll might need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to watch your usual stream from abroad.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Australia

Aussies can watch NBA Playoff games on ESPN via Foxtel (streamed via Foxtel Now).

For the most comprehensive coverage, there's also the NBA League Pass, from

Not in Australia right now? Use a VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your usual domestic NBA coverage from anywhere.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Rest of World

With only a few exceptions (e.g. China, Iran, Russia) the NBA League Pass is available worldwide and showing the 2026 Playoffs. Click through to see the pricing and games available where you are.

Many countries also show games on TV and online through their domestic broadcasters:

NBA broadcast rights are held by ESPN, which provides coverage to sub-Saharan countries. Some games in South Africa will also be shown by Amazon Prime Video.

You can watch the 2025/26 NBA season unfold on ESPN across the Caribbean and in Central American countries (including Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama).

B-ball fans in the Caribbean and Mexico will also be able to watch a selection of games on Amazon Prime Video.

ESPN has the broadcast rights to the 2025/26 NBA season across Latin America. That includes:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (games also on Amazon Prime Video), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Albanians will be able to watch NBA basketball on Tring Sport.

Setanta Sports has the rights to show NBA basketball in these countries.

Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, San Marino & Switzerland

Sky will show the NBA Playoffs 2026 action in these countries, with Amazon Prime Video also having rights to show some games.

Pay TV provider Arena Sport holds the NBA rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Live NBA is shown by Go 3 Sport in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Specialist sports streamer DAZN has the rights to 2025/26 NBA basketball in these countries, with Amazon Prime Video also hosting games.

You can watch NBA action on Diema Sport in Bulgaria.

Sport Klub and Prime Video have the rights to the NBA here.

Nova Sport has the rights to show NBA Playoffs 2026 games on television in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

NBA coverage is available via be IN Sports and Amazon Prime Video in France.

Cosmote Sport and Prime Video have NBA rights in Greece.

Sport 1 will air coverage of the 2025/26 NBA season in Hungary.

You'll need access to Stöð 2 Sport to watch the NBA.

NBA games will be shown on Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video in Ireland.

ESPN holds the rights to the NBA in the Netherlands.

NBA coverage in Norway is shared between Rex and HBO Max.

Sport TV is the main NBA rights-holder in Portugal, with Prime Video also showing games.

Turkey's listed NBA broadcasters are S Sport and Prime Video.

The NBA Playoffs 2026 rights in MENA countries are generally held by be IN Sports. The exception is Israel, where Sport 5 will show the basketball this year.

Tencent, Migu, CCTV and the Shanghai Media Group are all listed as NBA rights-holders in China.

Now Sports and Prime Video are set to show NBA Playoffs 2026 basketball in Hong Kong.

The main NBA broadcaster in India will be Amazon Prime Video this season. Some games will also be shown on the NBA's You Tube channel in India.

Indonesia's broadcasters are Emtek and Prime Video.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

Residents of these Central Asian countries can watch the NBA on Setanta Sports.

Japanese NBA fans will need access to Lemino and Prime Video.

Those in Mongolia can watch on Premier Sports Network and Prime Video.

NBA coverage in the Philippines is shared between One Sports, NBA TV Philippines and Prime Video.

Starhub and Prime Video have NBA rights in Singapore.

Coupang Play and Prime Video are showing NBA games in Korea.

NBA coverage in Taiwan is shared between Videoland, Prime Video and ELTA TV.

AIS Play and Prime Video are the broadcasters here.

NBA fans in Vietnam can watch live action thanks to FPT.

ESPN and Amazon Prime Video are the official NBA broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs started on Saturday, April 18. This year's NBA Finals are set to begin on Wednesday, June 3.

The vast majority of broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser – for example, Peacock and ESPN in the US and Sky Go in the UK.

You can also stay up-to-date with the latest NBA news and plays on the official social media channels on X (@NBA), Instagram (nba), Facebook (NBA) Tik Tok (@nba) and You Tube (@NBA).

Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic Game 1 – Sun, Apr. 19 at 6.30pm ET / 3.30pm PT / 11.30pm BST on NBC/Peacock Game 2 – Wed, Apr. 22 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT / 12am BST (Thu) on ESPN Game 3 – Sat, Apr. 25 at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST on Peacock/NBCSN Game 4 – Mon, Apr. 27 at TBD *Game 5 – Wed, Apr. 29 at TBD *Game 6 – Fri, May 1 at TBD *Game 7 – Sun, May 3 at TBD

Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Game 1 – Sun, Apr. 19 at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST on ABC Game 2 – Tue, Apr. 21 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT / 12am BST (Wed) on Peacock/NBCSN Game 3 – Fri, Apr. 24 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT / 12am BST (Sat) on Prime Game 4 – Sun, Apr. 26 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT / 12am BST (Mon) on NBC *Game 5 – Tue, Apr. 28 at TBD *Game 6 – Thu, Apr. 30 at TBD *Game 7 – Sat, May 2 at TBD

New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks Game 1 – Sat, Apr. 18 at 6pm ET / 3pm PT / 11pm BST on Prime Game 2 – Mon, Apr. 20 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1am BST (Tue) on NBC/Peacock Game 3 – Thu, Apr. 23 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT / 12am BST (Fri) on Prime Game 4 – Sat, Apr. 25 at 6pm ET / 3pm PT / 11pm BST on NBC/Peacock *Game 5 – Tue, Apr. 28 at TBD *Game 6 – Thu, Apr. 30 at TBD *Game 7 – Sat, May 2 at TBD

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors Game 1 – Sat, Apr. 18 at 1pm ET / 10am ET / 6pm BST on Prime/SNO Game 2 – Mon, Apr. 20 at 7pm ET / 4pm ET / 12am BST (Tue) on Peacock/NBCSN, TSN Game 3 – Thu, Apr. 23 at 8pm ET / 5pm ET / 1am BST (Fri) on Prime/SNO Game 4 – Sun, Apr. 26 at 1pm ET / 10am ET / 6pm BST on ESPN, TSN *Game 5 – Wed, Apr. 29 at TBD *Game 6 – Fri, May 1 at TBD *Game 7 – Sun, May 3 at TBD

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Phoenix Suns Game 1 – Sun, Apr. 19 at 3.30pm ET / 12.30pm PT / 8.30pm BST on ABC Game 2 – Wed, Apr. 22 at 9.30pm ET / 6.30pm PT / 2.30am BST (Thu) on ESPN Game 3 – Sat, Apr. 25 at 3.30pm ET / 12.30pm PT / 8.30pm BST on NBC/Peacock Game 4 – Mon, Apr. 27 at TBD *Game 5 – Wed, Apr. 29 at TBD *Game 6 – Fri, May 1 at TBD *Game 7 – Sun, May 3 at TBD

San Antonio Spurs vs Portland Trail Blazers Game 1 – Sun, Apr. 19 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT / 2am BST (Mon) on NBC/Peacock Game 2 – Tue, Apr. 21 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1am BST (Wed) on NBC/Peacock Game 3 – Fri, Apr. 24 at 10.30pm ET / 7.30pm PT / 3.30am BST (Sat) on Prime Game 4 – Sun, Apr. 26 at 3.30pm ET / 12.30pm PT / 8.30pm BST on ESPN *Game 5 – Tue, Apr. 28 at TBD *Game 6 – Thu, Apr. 30 at TBD *Game 7 – Sat, May 2 at TBD

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game 1 – Sat, Apr. 18 at 3.30pm ET / 12.30pm PT / 8.30pm BST on Prime Game 2 – Mon, Apr. 20 at 10.30pm ET / 7.30pm PT / 3.30am BST (Tue) on NBC/Peacock Game 3 – Thu, Apr. 23 at 9.30pm ET / 6.30pm PT / 2.30am BST (Fri) on Prime Game 4 – Sat, Apr. 25 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Sun) on ABC *Game 5 – Mon, Apr. 27 at TBD *Game 6 – Thu, Apr. 30 at TBD *Game 7 – Sat, May 2 at TBD

Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Game 1 – Sat, Apr. 18 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm ET / 1.30am BST (Sun) on ABC Game 2 – Tue, Apr. 21 at 10.30pm ET / 7.30pm PT / 3.30am BST (Wed) on NBC/Peacock Game 3 – Fri, Apr. 24 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1am BST (Sat) on Prime Game 4 – Sun, Apr. 26 at 9.30pm ET / 6.30pm PT / 2.30am BST (Mon) on NBC/Peacock *Game 5 – Wed, Apr. 29 at TBD *Game 6 – Fri, May 1 at TBD *Game 7 – Sun, May 3 at TBD

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Adam was formerly the Content Director of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversaw many of the articles Tech Radar produces about antivirus software, VPN, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews. Adam has now dusted off his keyboard to write articles for the likes of Tech Radar, T3 and Tom's Guide.

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Key Takeaways

• News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

• Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

• Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards

• How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: live streams, schedule, TV channels

• 16 teams remain in the hunt for a place in this year's NBA Finals – can OKC go back-to-back