The 2025 NBA playoffs are here! The Play-In Tournament tips off on Tuesday evening with matchups like Warriors versus Grizzlies and Magic against Hawks. The highly anticipated first-round series will commence on Saturday. Basketball fans can look forward to an action-packed schedule over the next few weeks, with multiple playoff games each day, starting this weekend with four Game 1s on both Saturday and Sunday.
While the Play-In Tournament will finalize four first-round series, several matchups are already locked in: Pacers vs. Bucks, Nuggets vs. Clippers, Knicks vs. Pistons, and Lakers vs. Timberwolves.
The postseason marks a new chapter in the NBA season. All the storylines from the 2024-25 regular season – major player trades, coaching changes, social media buzz, and player controversies – are now in the past. The regular season was merely the prelude to the main event: the playoffs.
The 2025 NBA playoffs are expected to be exceptionally competitive. Most teams are entering the playoffs with key players healthy, setting the stage for thrilling contests. The regular season standings were incredibly close, particularly in the Western Conference where a five-way tie occurred just before the playoffs. A critical final game between the Clippers and Warriors determined playoff seeding and play-in tournament placement.
Although a few teams are considered frontrunners, the playoff field is generally wide open, with perhaps eight or nine teams having a legitimate shot at the championship. The Thunder are currently favored to win the championship, but the Celtics enter as the defending champions.
NBA Play-In Tournament Broadcast Schedule
All times Eastern
Tuesday, April 15
Magic vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Warriors vs. Grizzlies, 10 p.m., TNT
Wednesday, April 16
Bulls vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Kings vs. Mavericks, 10 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Friday, April 18
East TBD vs. East TBD, Time TBD, ESPN/fubo
West TBD vs. West TBD, Time TBD, TNT
2025 NBA Playoff TV Schedule
All times Eastern
Saturday, April 19
Game 1: Pacers vs. Bucks, 1 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Game 1: Nuggets vs. Clippers, 3:30 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Game 1: Knicks vs. Pistons, 6 p.m., ESPN/fubo
Game 1: Lakers vs. Timberwolves, 8:30 p.m., ABC/fubo
Sunday, April 20
Game 1: Cavaliers vs. TBD, Time/Channel TBD
Game 1: Celtics vs. Magic/Hawks, Time/Channel TBD
Game 1: Thunder vs. TBD, Time/Channel TBD
Game 1: Rockets vs. Warriors/Grizzlies, Time/Channel TBD
The complete first-round schedule with confirmed dates, times, and TV details will be announced soon. Stay tuned for updates.
Important Dates for the 2025 NBA Playoffs
- April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
- April 19: Playoffs Begin
- May 12: NBA Draft Lottery
- June 5: NBA Finals Begin
Jasper Hawthorne