The 2025 NBA Playoffs are right around the corner, and we should be in for another thrilling postseason. The Celtics will look to defend their title from last season, but there are a number of exciting teams to watch.
In the East, potential challengers to the Celtics include the Cavaliers, Knicks, Pacers, Pistons, and Bucks.
The Thunder look to make a deep run in the West, but the Lakers and Rockets are serious contenders, as well. The tightly bunched Nuggets, Clippers, Warriors, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies will all be tough outs, as well.
Although the full playoff matchups aren’t set just yet, the schedule for the NBA’s postseason is already out.
Let’s take a look at the 2025 NBA Playoff schedule.
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When do the 2025 NBA Playoffs start?
- Start: Saturday, April 19
The opening rounds of the NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 19, but a few days before that, on April 15-18, the NBA’s Play-In Tournament tips off. The four-game tournament puts seeds No. 9 vs. No. 10 and No. 7 vs. No. 8 against another to determine which team in each conference emerges as the final No. 7 and 8 seeds.
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NBA Play-In Tournament
Tuesday, April 15 (Times TBD)
- East 7 vs. East 8 (winner advances to playoffs as No. 7 seed), TNT
- West 7 vs. West 8 (winner advances to playoffs as No. 7 seed), TNT
Wednesday, April 16 (Times TBD)
- East 9 vs. East 10 (loser is eliminated), ESPN
- West 9 vs. West 10 (loser is eliminated), ESPN
Friday, April 18 (Times TBD)
- East 7/8 loser vs. East 9/10 winner (winner advances to playoffs as No. 8 seed), TNT
- West 7/8 loser vs. West 9/10 winner (winner advances to playoffs as No. 8 seed), ESPN
When are the 2025 NBA Finals?
- Thursday, June 5: Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals
2025 NBA Playoff schedule
Currently, the NBA only has released the full schedule for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. So, we are still waiting on the first few rounds in th conferences, but we do have a date for the conference semifinals to begin
Conference Semifinals
- When: May 5-6 (but the NBA notes these could be moved up to May 3-4)
Eastern Conference Finals Schedule
| Game | Date | Time | TV Channel |
| 1 | May 21 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| 2 | May 23 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| 3 | May 25 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| 4 | May 27 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT |
| 5 | May 29 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT (if necessary) |
| 6 | May 31 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT (if necessary) |
| 7 | June 2 | 8 p.m. ET | TNT (if necessary) |
Western Conference Finals Schedule
| Game | Date | Time | TV Channel |
| 1 | May 20 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 2 | May 22 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 3 | May 24 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 4 | May 26 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 5 | May 28 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (if necessary) |
| 6 | May 30 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (if necessary) |
| 7 | June 1 | 8:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (if necessary) |
