The NBA Playoffs have already served up colossal upsets, 3-1 comebacks and numerous story-shifting injuries ahead of the second round, which is headlined by a grudge match between the Knicks and 76ers. The two fanbases deeply resent each other, as do Joel Embiid and Karl-Anthony Towns.
You can watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE!
The 2026 NBA Playoffs run from Saturday, April 18 to June 2026.
• India — YouTube (FREE select games)
• China — CCTV5 (FREE select games)
• U.S. — ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, NBC (via Sling TV), ESPN Unlimited, Peacock, Prime Video
• Watch anywhere — Try Surfshark risk-free
The Spurs vs Timberwolves matchup sees compatriots Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert go toe-to-toe. Nobody had expected the Wolves to get past the Nuggets in the first round, but they did so with a game to spare, and it's worth remembering that they've got to the conference finals in each of the past two seasons. Unfortunately, injuries to Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmo look set to ruin what might otherwise have been a fascinating tie.
The Pistons, the No.1 seed from the East, needed seven games to stave off an embarrassing first-round exit at the hands of the Magic. Even if Cade Cunningham is the best man on the court, barring a major teamwide improvement, it's easy to see how Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley could help the Cavs see them off.
The Rockets had arguably the easiest first-round assignment of them all — a Lakers team missing their two best players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — and made a mess of it, but the Thunder, the No.1 seed from the West, aren't going to make the same mistake. Reaves may be back, but just last month both he and Doncic featured in an 87-123 humiliation by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's reigning champs.
Check out all of the TV and streaming details below to find out how to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 from anywhere, including free options.
NBA Playoffs schedule 2026
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SECOND ROUND
Knicks vs 76ers
Mon, May 4, 8 p.m. — Game 1 @ Knicks | NBC, Peacock
Wed, May 6, 7 p.m. — Game 2 @ Knicks | ESPN
Fri, May 8, 7 p.m. — Game 3 @ 76ers | Prime
Sun, May 10, 3:30 p.m. — Game 4 @ 76ers | ABC
Tue, May 12 — Game 5 @ Knicks | If needed
Thu, May 14 — Game 6 @ 76ers | If needed
Sun, May 17 — Game 7 @ Knicks | If needed
Spurs vs Timberwolves
Mon, May 4, 9:30 p.m. — Game 1 @ Spurs | NBCSN, Peacock
Wed, May 6, 9:30 p.m. — Game 2 @ Spurs | ESPN
Fri, May 8, 9:30 p.m. — Game 3 @ Timberwolves | Prime
Sun, May 10, 7:30 p.m. — Game 4 @ Timberwolves | NBC, Peacock
Tue, May 12 — Game 5 @ Spurs | If needed
Fri, May 15 — Game 6 @ Timberwolves | If needed
Sun, May 17 — Game 7 @ Spurs | If needed
Thunder vs Lakers
Tue, May 5, 8:30 p.m. — Game 1 @ Thunder | NBC, Peacock
Thu, May 7, 9:30 p.m. — Game 2 @ Thunder | Prime
Sat, May 9, 8:30 p.m. — Game 3 @ Lakers | ABC
Mon, May 11, 10:30 p.m. — Game 4 @ Lakers | Prime
Wed, May 13 — Game 5 @ Thunder | If needed
Sat, May 16 — Game 6 @ Lakers | If needed
Mon, May 18 — Game 7 @ Thunder | If needed
Pistons vs Cavaliers
Tue, May 5, 7 p.m. — Game 1 @ Pistons | Peacock
Thu, May 7, 7 p.m. — Game 2 @ Pistons | Prime
Sat, May 9, 3 p.m. — Game 3 @ Cavaliers | NBC, Peacock
Mon, May 11, 8 p.m. — Game 4 @ Cavaliers | NBC, Peacock
Wed, May 13 — Game 5 @ Pistons | If needed
Fri, May 15 — Game 6 @ Cavaliers | If needed
Sun, May 17 — Game 7 @ Pistons | If needed
(All times ET)
Watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams for FREE
You can watch select NBA Playoff games free-of-charge on the NBA YouTube channel in India and on CCTV5 in China.
Away from home? You may not be able to watch the action like you normally would due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — you can use a VPN to to unblock that free NBA coverage. Details below...
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching the NBA Playoffs on your usual subscription?
You can still tune in live thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is Surfshark. It's among the best on the market:
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, Surfshark is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the U.K. and want to view a U.S. service, select 'United States' from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to Sling, sign in, and watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs live.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the U.S.
In the U.S., the NBA Playoffs are being televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and NBC.
If you've already cut the cord and don't have a cable package, you can get all of those channels through an OTT cable TV alternative.
Sling will give you the most bang for your buck. Sling Blue includes local network affiliates from FOX, NBC and ABC (availability varies by market). Sling Orange carries ESPN and ESPN2.
Both plans start at $46/month, but you can combine them for $66/month. You'll get 50% off your first month if you subscribe to Blue or Orange & Blue.
Select games are exclusive to Prime Video, which costs $14.99/month or $139/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
ESPN and ABC simulcast their coverage on ESPN Unlimited, which carries ESPN Select and all ESPN channels, and costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year.
NBC simulcasts its games on Peacock. You'll need at least a Premium plan to watch live sports, including the Premier League, starting at $10.99/month or $109.99/year.
YouTube TV, the DirecTV Stream MySports Genre Pack and Hulu With Live TV will also get you comprehensive NBA Playoffs coverage, while the Fubo Sports + News plan carries ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 as standard.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., the NBA Playoffs are split between Prime Video and Sky Sports.
Prime Video's coverage includes the NBA Finals. A subscription costs £8.99/month or £95/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
Sky Sports packages start from £22/month if you're an existing customer — ot check out Sky TV deals and packages if you want to sign up. Alternatively, Now Sports offers Daily, Monthly and Annual passes. Prices start at £14.99 for 24-hour access.
Alternatively, comprehensive NBA Playoffs coverage is available through NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99/month or £37.99 for the rest of the season.
If you're not in the U.K. right now but already subscribe to one of these services, try using Surfshark to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs as if you were back at home.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Canada
In Canada, NBA Playoffs coverage is split between Sportsnet and TSN.
TSN+ grants access to everything TSN has to offer for CA$8/month or CA$80/year, and you can stream games live on Sportsnet Plus, which starts at CA$29.99/month CA$249.99/year.
If you live in Canada but aren't at home right now, you can still watch NBA Playoffs 2026 by using a quality VPN like Surfshark to unlock your usual service.
How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Australia
In Australia, NBA Playoffs coverage is available on ESPN via Foxtel, as well as Kayo Sports and Disney Plus.
Kayo plans start from AU$30/month after a 7-day FREE trial, and include NFL, cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 2026 and more.
Disney Plus starts at AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year.
Prime Video, meanwhile, is showing the Play-In tournament. A subscription costs AU$6.99/month or AU$59/year after a 30-day FREE trial.
Not in Australia right now? You can use a VPN like Surfshark to tune in on your account as if you were back home.
Who are the 2026 NBA Playoffs favorites?
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons are the No.1 seeds and de facto favorites, by virtue of topping the Western and Eastern Conference standings respectively.
When are the 2026 NBA Finals?
The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 3.
The earliest they could end is Wednesday, June 10, and the latest Friday, June 19.
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