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The 2024 NBA Playoffs are here and conference leaderboards are looking very different than in years past. There’s a new class of NBA stars, led by OKC Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, looking to dethrone league legends like LeBron James and Steph Curry. Judging by this season’s standings, the 2024 NBA Playoffs are going to be one of the most dramatic series’ to date.
Hulu + Live TV is one of the few live TV streaming apps on which you can watch every game of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. That’s big for NBA fans who are looking for a single platform to cover all their sports viewing needs. Even better, you can watch the 2024 NBA Playoffs for free with Hulu + Live TV.
Keep reading for more on how to watch the NBA Playoffs for free with Hulu + Live TV.
When are the 2024 NBA Playoffs?
The 2024 NBA Playoffs will be played from April 20, 2024 through May 22, 2024.
What channel will air the NBA Playoffs?
The NBA Playoffs will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. The games will stream on Hulu + Live TV.
What channel will air the NBA Finals?
The 2024 NBA Finals will air on ABC and stream on Hulu + Live TV.
Key dates for the NBA Playoffs
- April 16-19: NBA Play-In Tournament
- April 20: NBA Playoffs begin
- May 6-7: NBA Conference Semifinals begin (possible move up to May 4-5)
- May 21-22: NBA Conference Finals begin (possible move up to May 19-20)
- June 6: NBA Finals 2024 Game 1
- June 9: NBA Finals 2024 Game 2
- June 12: NBA Finals 2024 Game 3
- June 14: NBA Finals 2024 Game 4
- June 17-20: NBA Finals 2024 Games 5-7 (if necessary)
Hulu + Live TV: Watch every NBA playoff game and the NBA Finals without cable
You can watch every NBA playoff game and the NBA Finals with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV, which comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. The live TV streamer features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT and ESPN, so you’ll be able to watch every game of the playoffs and finals without a cable subscription. The streamer offers a three-day free trial so you can stream the NBA Playoffs free before signing up.
Hulu + Live TV currently offers a three-day free trial. After that, a subscription to Hulu + Live TV is $77 per month.
Top features of Hulu + Live TV:
- Unlike other streaming apps that don’t carry TNT, Hulu + Live TV carries every channel you’ll need to watch the playoffs, all on one streaming platform.
- And since not all streaming apps carry CBS, you’ll also be able to watch every network-aired NFL game next season with Hulu + Live TV.
- The streamer offers unlimited DVR storage, perfect for recording the biggest games of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
- No cable box is needed (though you will need an internet connection).
- There are no contracts. You can cancel or upgrade anytime.
- A Hulu + Live TV subscription is less expensive than a cable subscription but delivers the same access to NBA basketball.
When is the NBA Play-In Tournament?
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The NBA Play-In Tournament will be played April 16-19, 2024.
Prior to the official start of the NBA Playoffs, the NBA Play-In Tournament will be played to determine which teams will fill the seventh and eighth playoff seeds in each conference going into the playoffs.
The NBA Play-in Tournament will broadcast on TNT (Western Conference games) and ESPN (Eastern Conference games) and stream on Hulu + Live TV.
2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule
The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs will start April 20.
First round schedule
Below are the dates, times and networks airing each game of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. All times Eastern.
Eastern Conference
• Game 1: TBD vs. Celtics; Sunday, April 21 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: TBD vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Celtics vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Celtics vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: TBD vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Celtics vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: TBD vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
** = Winner of Game between Loser of 7/8 Game and Winner of 9/10 Game
* = If necessary
(2) New York vs. No. 7 Seed**
• Game 1: TBD vs. Knicks; Saturday, April 20 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: TBD vs. Knicks; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Knicks vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Knicks vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: TBD vs. Knicks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Knicks vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: TBD vs. Knicks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
** = Winner of 7/8 Game
* = If necessary
(3) Milwaukee vs. (6) Indiana
• Game 1: Pacers vs. Bucks; Sunday, April 21 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: Pacers vs. Bucks; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Bucks vs. Pacers; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Bucks vs. Pacers; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Bucks vs. Pacers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando
• Game 1: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Saturday, April 20 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: Magic vs. Cavaliers; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Magic; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Cavaliers vs. Magic; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: Magic vs. Cavaliers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Cavaliers vs. Magic; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Magic vs. Cavaliers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City vs. No. 8 Seed**
• Game 1: TBD vs. Thunder; Sunday, April 21 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: TBD vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Thunder vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Thunder vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: TBD vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Thunder vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: TBD vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
** = Winner of Game between Loser of 7/8 Game and Winner of 9/10 Game
* = If necessary
(2) Denver vs. No. 7 Seed*
• Game 1: TBD vs. Nuggets; Saturday, April 20 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: TBD vs. Nuggets; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Nuggets vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Nuggets vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: TBD vs. Nuggets; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Nuggets vs. TBD; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: TBD vs. Nuggets; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
** = Winner of 7/8 Game
* = If necessary
(3) Minnesota vs. (6) Phoenix
• Game 1: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Saturday, April 20 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: Suns vs. Timberwolves; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Suns; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Suns; TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: Suns vs. Timberwolves; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Suns; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Suns vs. Timberwolves; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas
• Game 1: Mavericks vs. Clippers; Sunday, April 21 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 2: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 3: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 4: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
Conference semifinals schedule
The conference semifinals will begin May 6-7, but can move up to May 4-5 if the prior round’s series ends early.
Conference finals schedule
The conference finals will begin May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if the prior round’s series ends early.
NBA Finals schedule
The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, airing on ABC.
- Sunday, June 9: Game 2
- Wednesday, June 12: Game 3
- Friday, June 14: Game 4
- Monday, June 17: Game 5 (if necessary)
- Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (if necessary)
- Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)
What teams are the top seeds going into the 2024 NBA Playoffs?
As of this article’s writing, the Boston Celtics hold the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Thunder sit at No.1 in the West. For the most current NBA standings, check out our sister site, CBS Sports.
Who won the 2023 NBA Championship?
Despite tough competition from the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship, beating the Heat in five games. The Nuggets come into the playoffs No. 2 in the Western Conference.