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The NBA playoffs are when the 16 best teams in the league face off in an exciting clash to see who will emerge victoriously. Since the individual games are scattered across four networks, we did the legwork to find the best ways to stream the NBA playoffs to your computer, phone, set-top box, or game console.
Event Details
NBA Playoffs Start Date: April 18, 2026
NBA Finals Game 1: June 3, 2026
Where to Watch NBA Playoffs Games
If you want to watch every game in the NBA playoffs, or at least have the option, then these are the channels you’ll need to have access to:
- ABC and ESPN: ABC and ESBN have the sole rights to broadcast the NBA Finals.
- Prime Video: Prime is a new broadcast partner and will air about one third of playoff games.
- NBA TV: Some first-round games will air on NBA TV. If you don’t want to miss anything, it’s worth finding a package that includes this network.
- Regional sports networks: These networks have the rights to broadcast first-round games that involve local teams. If your local team makes it to the first round, you can count on your regional sports network. The exception is that if a game is broadcast on ABC, it won’t be available on your regional sports network.
Dates and times are finalized just prior to the playoffs. There are provisions for each round to start a couple of days earlier, depending on when the previous round finishes. Check local listings for specific days and times for each game.
How to Access NBA Playoff Livestreams From ABC, ESPN, and NBA TV
Since individual games will appear on four networks, the best way for cord-cutters to catch the NBA playoffs is through a live TV streaming service. These services offer a direct replacement for cable or satellite TV because they allow you to stream live television over the internet.
All you need is a computer, phone, streaming device/ service (like Roku), or game console that’s connected to high-speed internet.
While these services do the same thing, all offer different combinations of channels. That means some of them offer access to every NBA playoff game, some only give you access to one set of conference games, and others have some combination of the two.
These services offer some type of free trial, so you can start streaming the NBA playoffs without paying anything upfront. Here are your options, including the relevant channels each offer:
| Service | ESPN | NBC | NBA TV | ABC |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Most markets |
| Hulu With Live TV | Yes | Most markets | No | Most markets |
| DirecTV Stream | Yes | Most markets | Yes (Some plans) | Most markets |
| Sling TV | Orange/Orange & Blue plans | Some markets | Add-on | Limited markets |
| fuboTV | Yes | No | Yes | Most markets |
For most people, YouTube TV represents the best option for streaming NBA playoff games. It includes ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, and also has ABC in most markets.
DirecTV Stream is a viable option as well, but the channels you need are only included with more expensive plans. Sling TV is also a fine option if you live in one of the select markets where they offer ABC as an add-on.
The worst options for streaming the NBA playoffs are fuboTV, since TNT isn’t included, and Hulu with Live TV because NBA TV isn’t included.
Since the NBA finals are only available on ABC, and the availability of ABC differs from one service to the next depending on the specific deals each one has signed, it’s important to check each service to see if ABC is available in your ZIP code.
While YouTube TV is the best option for most people, check to make sure that YouTube TV offers ABC in your ZIP code.
Livestream the NBA Playoffs on Your Phone, Tablet, or Streaming Device
If you want to watch the NBA playoffs on your mobile device, set-top box, or game console, here are the apps you’ll need:
- YouTube TV
- ESPN
- NBC
- Peacock
- ABC
- Prime Video
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