The NBA playoffs tend to follow the chalk most years — the favorites win series after series. There are few surprises.
This year feels like it should be different — the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs feels primed for upsets. While each conference has a clear betting favorite to advance, both also have powerhouse teams coming out of the play-in and being a threat to reach the Finals (as the Heat did a season ago). Still, through the first few games home court and the favorites have held.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2024 NBA playoffs, with full matchups and schedules, which will be updated as the scores keep rolling in — check back for all the results.
When do the NBA Playoffs begin?
The play-in — the NBA’s version of the Wild Card round — ends on Friday night, April 19, with two games (Chicago at Miami, Sacramento at New Orleans).
The NBA playoffs start Saturday, April 20, with four games. The two teams that win Friday night will have to turn around and fly to Boston (East) or Oklahoma City (West) and start the playoffs less than 48 hours later.
When do the NBA Finals begin?
The NBA Finals tip off June 6, with the first game at the arena of the team with the better regular-season record (Boston has the best record overall in the league and would have home court against anyone in the Finals).
The remainder of the NBA Finals games are: Game 2 June 9, Game 3 June 12, Game 4 June 14, Game 5 June 17, Game 6 June 20 and Game 7 June 23 (games 5-7 are if necessary).
NBA Eastern Conference, Western Conference playoff bracket
— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2024THRILLING night as the Knicks, Cavs and Nuggets go up 2-0!
The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel continues Tuesday on TNT & NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/wwaKhipsnK
NBA Playoffs Schedule 2024
All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Eastern Conference Schedule
#1 Boston at No. 8 Seed
Game 1: Boston 114, Miami 94 (Celtics lead 1-0)
Game 2: Heat at Celtics, April 24 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Celtics at Heat, April 27 (6 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Celtics at Heat, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
Game 5: Heat at Celtics, May 1 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Celtics at Heat, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Heat at Celtics, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
#2 New York at #7 Philadelphia
Game 1: New York 111, Philadelphia 104 (Knicks lead 1-0)
Game 2: New York 104, Philadelphia 101 (Knicks lead 2-0)
Game 3: Knicks at 76ers, April 25 (7:30 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Knicks at 76ers, April 28 (1 ET, ABC)
Game 5: 76ers at Knicks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Knicks at 76ers; May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: 76ers at Knicks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#3 Milwaukee at #6 Indiana
Game 1: Milwaukee 109, Indiana 94 (Bucks lead 1-0)
Game 2: Pacers at Bucks, April 23 (8:30 ET, NBA TV)
Game 3: Bucks at Pacers, April 26 (5:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Bucks at Pacers, April 28 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Pacers at Bucks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Bucks at Pacers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Pacers at Bucks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#4 Cleveland at #5 Orlando
Game 1: Cleveland 97, Orlando 83 (Cavaliers lead 1-0)
Game 2: Cleveland 96, Orlando 86 (Cavaliers lead 2-0)
Game 3: Cavaliers at Magic, April 25 (7 ET, NBA TV)
Game 4: Cavaliers at Magic, April 27 (1 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Magic at Cavaliers, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Magic, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Magic at Cavaliers, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
Western Conference Schedule
#1 Oklahoma City at No. 8 Seed
Game 1: Oklahoma City 94, New Orleans 92 (Thunder lead 1-0)
Game 2: Pelicans at Thunder, April 24 (9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Thunder at Pelicans, April 27 (3:30 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Thunder at Pelicans April 29 (TBD, TBD)
Game 5: Pelicans at Thunder, May 1 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Thunder at Pelicans, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Pelicans at Thunder, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
#2 Denver at #7 L.A. Lakers
Game 1: Denver 114, Los Angeles 103 (Nuggets lead 1-0)
Game 2: Denver 101, Los Angeles 99 (Nuggets lead 2-0)
Game 3: Nuggets at Lakers, April 25 (10 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Nuggets at Lakers, April 27 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Lakers at Nuggets, April 29 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Nuggets at Lakers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Lakers at Nuggets, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#3 Minnesota at #6 Phoenix
Game 1: Minnesota 120, Phoenix 95 (Timberwolves lead 1-0)
Game 2: Suns at Timberwolves, April 23 (7:30 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Timberwolves at Suns, April 26 (10:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns, April 28 (9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Suns at Timberwolves, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Timberwolves at Suns, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Suns at Timberwolves, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#4 LA Clippers at #5 Dallas
Game 1: Los Angeles 109, Dallas 97 (Clippers lead 1-0)
Game 2: Mavericks at Clippers, April 23 (10 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Clippers at Mavericks, April 26 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Clippers at Mavericks, April 28 (3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Mavericks at Clippers, May 1 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Clippers at Mavericks, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Mavericks at Clippers, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
