Get concise direction on which networks and streaming services will carry the 2026 NBA Playoffs, plus tips on trials and must-have packages
The 2026 NBA postseason is officially under way after the play-in tournament wrapped up, leaving 16 teams — including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks and the L.A. Lakers — to compete for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. This primer explains when the games take place, which broadcasters hold rights, and how to stream matchups online without a traditional cable subscription. Throughout the article you’ll find the names of the major platforms carrying postseason coverage and practical notes on trials, bundles and season passes so you can pick the setup that fits your viewing habits.
The postseason timetable begins with the play-in tournament from April 14-17, followed by the official start of the NBA Playoffs on April 18. The conference semifinals and conference finals are scheduled later in May, with the Eastern Conference finals slated to begin on May 19 and the Western Conference finals set to start on May 20. The 2026 NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3, with Game 1 on June 3 and subsequent potential games on June 5, June 8, June 10, June 13 (if necessary), June 16 (if necessary) and June 19 (if necessary). These exact dates help you plan subscriptions and free trials to avoid missing any marquee matchups.
Broadcast rights are split among several major outlets. Games will air on ESPN, ABC and NBC, while many NBC games also stream on Peacock. Select play-in games and additional postseason telecasts will be available through Prime Video. For cord-cutters there are numerous live-TV streaming services that package these channels: DirecTV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo are among the options that offer the networks you need. Additionally, ESPN’s new tier, ESPN Unlimited, will carry key conference finals and provide another route to the postseason.
If you want broad channel coverage, DirecTV offers ESPN, ABC and NBC in its lineup with a promotional entry price and a higher ongoing rate; check current offers for a 5-day free trial and introductory pricing. For a budget-friendly, modular approach, Sling TV provides an Orange + Blue bundle that includes ESPN and NBC access (with ABC simulcasts) and optional sports add-ons like NBA TV. Prime Video streams certain postseason matchups and is available to Amazon Prime members, while Peacock streams NBC’s portion of the schedule and offers ad-supported and ad-free tiers. Hulu + Live TV and Fubo are also reliable picks for full live-channel lineups, including local stations and regional sports networks for broader sports coverage.
For fans who want a single destination for most league content, NBA League Pass remains the season-long solution, offering comprehensive access to games (subject to blackout restrictions) and archival material for a per-season fee. ESPN’s new offering, ESPN Unlimited, bundles ESPN channels and streaming extras into a single subscription for those focused on ESPN-produced playoff broadcasts. Each platform brings distinct benefits: League Pass for exhaustive NBA coverage, ESPN Unlimited for concentrated ESPN access, and the major live-TV streamers for a mix of network and local games.
Pricing varies: DirecTV has an introductory price (for example, a lower-priced first month and a higher ongoing monthly rate) and sometimes short free trials; Sling often discounts its first month for new sign-ups; Prime Video can be accessed via Amazon Prime with a 30-day free trial for new users; Peacock runs an ad-supported plan at $10.99/month and an ad-free tier at $16.99/month with annual options available; Hulu + Live TV typically starts in the high $80s per month; Fubo and others frequently include short trial windows. If you only need a handful of games, time-limited trials or single-game streams may be more economical than a full-season package.
Selecting the right combination depends on how many games you plan to watch and whether you value archive access or live local coverage. If you want every possible game and deep historical content, NBA League Pass is the most comprehensive. If you prefer network-produced playoff broadcasts and studio coverage, a live-TV streamer carrying ESPN, ABC and NBC — or ESPN Unlimited plus a streaming layer for NBC games — will be the simplest route. Take advantage of short free trials to test a service, and remember blackout rules and local market variations can affect availability. With the April 14-17 play-in window and the playoffs starting April 18, now is the time to line up your accounts so you don’t miss a minute of postseason action.