NBA playoffs 2026: full first-round schedule, scores, dates, times, TV info, key players, where to watch

The NBA playoffs are finally here and we have some of the first round matchups locked in.

The defending champion Thunder, led by MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, enter the postseason with the best record in the NBA. They’ll be looking to defend the title they won by topping the Pacers in seven games in last year’s NBA Finals. The Spurs own the second-best record in baseball, and Victor Wembanyama’s young squad will be looking to dethrone Oklahoma City.

In the East, the Pistons emerged as a power this season. Led by Cade Cunningham, Detroit edge the Celtics for the top record in the conference and clinched the No. 1 seed.

The Nuggets, Knicks, Lakers, Cavaliers, Rockets and Timberwolves have all looked like potential threats as the regular season wound down, though LeBron James’s L.A. squad is dealing with devastating injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

The first round will be a dividing line. There are several intriguing matchups to watch.

The NBA playoffs will begin on April 18 after the play-in tournament runs from April 14 to 17. We don’t have a full playoff field yet but will by April 12, minus the final two spots in each conference that will be determined by the play-in tournament.

2026 Eastern Conference first-round series, TV schedules, game times, how to watch

Six teams are waiting in the Eastern Conference, led by the top-seeded Detroit Pistons. They’ll take on the No. 8 seed in the first round, while the Boston Celtics — who check in as the No. 2 seed in the East — will take on the No. 7 seed.

The other two first-round matchups are set: No. 3 New York vs. No. 6 Atlanta, and No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 Toronto.

All times Eastern, ET.

(1) Detroit vs. (8) TBD

Game 1: TBD at Detroit | Sunday April 19 (6:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)

Game 2: TBD at Detroit | TBD

Game 3: Detroit at TBD | TBD

Game 4: Detroit at TBD | TBD

Game 5: TBD at Detroit* | TBD

Game 6: Detroit at TBD* | TBD

Game 7: TBD at Detroit* | TBD

(2) Boston vs. (7) TBD

Game 1: TBD at Boston | Sunday April 19 (1 ET, ABC)

Game 2: TBD at Boston | TBD

Game 3: Boston at TBD | TBD

Game 4: Boston at TBD | TBD

Game 5: TBD at Boston* | TBD

Game 6: Boston at TBD* | TBD

Game 7: TBD at Boston* | TBD

(3) New York vs. (6) Atlanta

Game 1: Atlanta at New York | Saturday April 18 (6 ET, Prime Video)

Game 2: Atlanta at New York | TBD

Game 3: New York at Atlanta | TBD

Game 4: New York at Atlanta | TBD

Game 5: Atlanta at New York | TBD*

Game 6: New York at Atlanta | TBD*

Game 7: Atlanta at New York | TBD*

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Toronto

Game 1: Toronto at Cleveland | Saturday April 18 (1 ET, Prime Video)

Game 2: Toronto at Cleveland | TBD

Game 3: Cleveland at Toronto | TBD

Game 4: Cleveland at Toronto | TBD

Game 5: Toronto at Cleveland | TBD*

Game 6: Cleveland at Toronto | TBD*

Game 7: Toronto at Cleveland | TBD*

2026 Western Conference first-round series, schedules, game times, how to watch, TV info

Over in the Western Conference, the defending champions are waiting on the results of the Play-In Tournament, as the Thunder will have home-court in the First Round against the No. 8 seed. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs secured the No. 2 seed, and will take on the No. 7 seed.

The other two matchups in the Western Conference are set. In the first, No. 3 Denver will take on No. 6 Minnesota, while in the second, No. 4 Los Angeles matches up against No. 5 Houston.

All times Eastern, ET.

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (8) TBD

Game 1: TBD at Oklahoma City | Sunday April 19 (3:30 ET, ABC)

Game 2: TBD at Oklahoma City | TBD

Game 3: Oklahoma City at TBD | TBD

Game 4: Oklahoma City at TBD | TBD

Game 5: TBD at Oklahoma City | TBD*

Game 6: Oklahoma City at TBD | TBD*

Game 7: TBD at Oklahoma City | TBD*

(2) San Antonio vs. (7) TBD

Game 1: TBD at San Antonio | Sunday April 19 (9 ET, NBC/Peacock)

Game 2: TBD at San Antonio | TBD

Game 3: San Antonio at TBD | TBD

Game 4: San Antonio at TBD | TBD

Game 5: TBD at San Antonio | TBD*

Game 6: San Antonio at TBD | TBD*

Game 7: TBD at San Antonio | TBD*

(3) Denver vs. (6) Minnesota

Game 1: Minnesota at Denver | Saturday April 18 (3:30 ET, Prime Video)

Game 2: Minnesota at Denver | TBD

Game 3: Denver at Minnesota | TBD

Game 4: Denver at Minnesota | TBD

Game 5: Minnesota at Denver | TBD*

Game 6: Denver at Minnesota | TBD*

Game 7: Minnesota at Denver | TBD*

(4) Los Angeles vs. (5) Houston

Game 1: Houston at Los Angeles | Saturday April 18 (8:30 ET, ABC)

Game 2: Houston at Los Angeles | TBD

Game 3: Los Angeles at Houston | TBD

Game 4: Los Angeles at Houston | TBD

Game 5: Houston at Los Angeles | TBD*

Game 6: Los Angeles at Houston | TBD*

Game 7: Houston at Los Angeles | TBD*

* = If necessary

Where to watch and stream the NBA playoffs

NBA playoff games will be broadcast nationally across ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and ABC.

Games on ABC and ESPN will be available to stream on ESPN.com and the ESPN app. TNT games can be streamed on TNTdrama.com and the TNT app. Games on NBA TV can be streamed on NBA.com and the NBA app.

Do the NBA playoffs reseed?

Unlike the NFL playoffs, teams aren't reseeded after the first round. So the winner of the 1-8 matchup faces the winner of the 4-5 matchup in Round 2, while the winner of the 2-7 matchup faces the winner of the 3-6 matchup.