The NBA playoffs follow the chalk most years: the favorites win series after series. There are few surprises.
Not this year — the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs looks primed for upsets. While each conference has a clear betting favorite to advance, both also have powerful teams that come out of the play-in and pose a threat to reach the Finals (as the Heat did a season ago).
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NBA Playoffs, with full matchups and schedules, which will be updated as the scores roll in – check back for all the results.
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
The play-in – the NBA version of the Wild Card round – ends on Friday evening, April 19, with two games (Chicago at Miami, Sacramento at New Orleans).
The NBA playoffs start Saturday, April 20 with four games. The two teams that win on Friday night will have to turn around and fly to Boston (East) or Oklahoma City (West) to start the playoffs less than 48 hours later.
When do the NBA Finals start?
The NBA Finals start on June 6, with the first game in the arena of the team with the better regular-season record (Boston has the best record in the league and would have a home game against everyone in the Finals).
The remaining NBA Finals games are: Game 2 June 9, Game 3 June 12, Game 4 June 14, Game 5 June 17, Game 6 June 20 and Game 7 June 23 (games 5-7 are as needed).
NBA Eastern Conference, Western Conference playoff round
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule
All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Schedule of the Eastern Conference
#1 Boston at #8 seed
Game 1: No. 8 Celtics, April 21 (1 ET, ABC)
Game 2: No. 8 Celtics, April 24 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Celtics at No. 8, April 27 (6 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Celtics at No. 8, April 29 (TBD)
Game 5: No. 8 at Celtics, May 1 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 6: Celtics at No. 8, May 3 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 7: No. 8 at Celtics, May 5 (TBD)*
#2 New York and #7 Philadelphia
Game 1: 76ers at Knicks, April 20 (6 ET, ESPN)
Game 2: 76ers at Knicks, April 22 (7:30 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Knicks at 76ers, April 25 (7:30 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Knicks at 76ers, April 28 (1 ET, ABC)
Game 5: 76ers at Knicks, April 30 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 6: Knicks at 76ers; May 2 (to be determined, to be determined)*
Game 7: 76ers at Knicks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#3 Milwaukee at #6 Indiana
Game 1: Pacers at Bucks, April 21 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 2: Pacers at Bucks, April 23 (8:30 ET, NBA TV)
Game 3: Bucks at Pacers, April 26 (5:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Bucks at Pacers, April 28 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Pacers at Bucks, April 30 (TBD)*
Game 6: Bucks at Pacers, May 2 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 7: Pacers at Bucks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#4 Cleveland at #5 Orlando
Game 1: Magic at Cavaliers, April 20 (1 ET, ESPN)
Game 2: Magic at Cavaliers, April 22 (7 ET, NBA TV)
Game 3: Cavaliers at Magic, April 25 (7 ET, NBA TV)
Game 4: Cavaliers at Magic, April 27 (1 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Magic at Cavaliers, April 30 (TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Magic, May 3 (TBD)*
Game 7: Magic at Cavaliers, May 5 (TBD)*
Western Conference schedule
#1 Oklahoma City at #8 seed
Game 1: No. 8 at Thunder, April 21 (9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 2: No. 8 at Thunder, April 24 (9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Thunder at No. 8, April 27 (3:30 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Thunder at No. 8, April 29 (TBA)
Game 5: No. 8 at Thunder, May 1 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 6: Thunder at No. 8, May 3 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 7: No. 8 at Thunder, May 5 (TBA, TBD)*
#2 Denver at #7 LA Lakers
Game 1: Lakers at Nuggets, April 20 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 2: Lakers at Nuggets, April 22 (10 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Nuggets at Lakers, April 25 (10 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Nuggets at Lakers, April 27 (8:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Lakers at Nuggets, April 29 (TBA)*
Game 6: Nuggets at Lakers, May 2 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 7: Lakers at Nuggets, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#3 Minnesota at #6 Phoenix
Game 1: Sunbathing at Timberwolves, April 20 (3:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 2: Suns at Timberwolves, April 23 (7:30 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Timberwolves at Suns, April 26 (10:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns, April 28 (9:30 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Suns at Timberwolves, April 30 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 6: Timberwolves at Suns, May 2 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 7: Suns at Timberwolves, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#4 LA Clippers at #5 Dallas
Game 1: Mavericks at Clippers, April 21 (3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 2: Mavericks at Clippers, April 23 (10 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Clippers at Mavericks, April 26 (8 ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Clippers at Mavericks, April 28 (3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Mavericks at Clippers, May 1 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 6: Clippers at Mavericks, May 3 (TBA, TBD)*
Game 7: Mavericks at Clippers, May 5 (TBA, TBD)*
