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How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: live streams, schedule, TV channels

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16 teams remain in the hunt for a place in this year's NBA Finals – can OKC go back-to-back?

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is congratulated by his son and teammate Lakers guard Bronny James during a 2026 NBA Playoffs game.
(Image credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Oklahoma City Thunder in hot pursuit of a first back-to-back NBA championship since Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant's great Golden State Warriors achieved the feat eight years ago.

With defending Eastern Conference champions the Indiana Pacers failing to make the postseason, the scene is set for the number 1 seeded Detroit Pistons to have a first tilt at the Finals in two decades. They face the Orlando Magic first, followed by the winners of the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics – the latter of which won the whole thing in 2024 thanks to the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are also hoping to go far in the East this postseason.

Here's where to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams online from anywhere.

Can I watch NBA Playoffs in 2026 for free?

Not easily. NBA basketball is largely stuck behind the paywall around the world – though there are a few ways.

With the sheer amount of games being streamed across the world on Amazon Prime Video, for example, the Playoffs may be the time to take advantage of its 30-day free trial.

And there will be some action shown for free in countries like China (on CCTV) and India (on the NBA's YouTube channel).

Look out for free trials on streaming services where you are, with streamers such as YouTube TV (5-day free trial) in the US and Kayo Sports (7-day free trial) in Australia both letting you try their platforms for free.

How to watch any NBA Playoffs 2026 stream using a VPN

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How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the US

US flag

National coverage of the 2026 Playoffs is shared across a diverse range of broadcasters and streaming platforms. ABC and ESPN (on TV and through ESPN Unlimited), NBC (on TV and through the Peacock streaming service) and Amazon Prime Video will all show games through the postseason. You can discover which games will be broadcast by which channels in our 'Schedule' section below.

The Finals are set to be broadcast exclusively by ABC and ESPN Unlimited.

If you're a cord cutter wanting to watch as much coverage as possible with one subscription, you could try Sling TV's Orange + Blue plan for $61 per month, which carries ESPN, and ABC and NBC in selected cities.

Alternative services carrying all of the required channels (other than Prime) are YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, both of which offer free trials for new users.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Canada

canada

In Canada, NBA Playoffs 2026 coverage is shared between Sportsnet and TSN.

That means you can also watch online thanks to their respective Sportsnet+ ($29.99 a month / $249.99 a year) and TSN+ ($8 a month / $80 a year) streaming platforms.

If you already subscribe to these services but find yourself outside Canada, download a VPN and watch NBA games as if you were back at home.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in the UK

UK flag

NBA Playoffs 2026 action is split between Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video in the UK.

Sky Sports packages start from £22 per month or you can get a more flexible Now Sports membership starting from £14.99 for a day pass. While Amazon Prime costs £95 a year or £8.99 a month after its 30-day free trial.

Alternatively, die-hard fans might want to check out NBA League Pass, which costs from £16.99 a month or £37.99 for the remainder of the season and unlocks access to every single game of the 2026 Playoffs.

Outside the UK? You’ll might need to download a VPN, as detailed above, to watch your usual stream from abroad.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Australia

Australia flag

Aussies can watch NBA Playoff games on ESPN via Foxtel (streamed via Foxtel Now).

All ESPN games can also be streamed through your choice of either the excellent sports streaming platform Kayo Sports (from $30 a month after a 7-day free trial or your first month for $1) or Disney Plus (from $15.99 a month or $159.99 for a year).

For the most comprehensive coverage, there's also the NBA League Pass, from $24.99 a month or $49.99 for the entirety of the Playoffs.

Not in Australia right now? Use a VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your usual domestic NBA coverage from anywhere.

How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams in Rest of World

With only a few exceptions (e.g. China, Iran, Russia) the NBA League Pass is available worldwide and showing the 2026 Playoffs. Click through to see the pricing and games available where you are.

Many countries also show games on TV and online through their domestic broadcasters:

Africa

NBA broadcast rights are held by ESPN, which provides coverage to sub-Saharan countries. Some games in South Africa will also be shown by Amazon Prime Video.

Americas

Europe

Middle East and North Africa

The NBA Playoffs 2026 rights in MENA countries are generally held by beIN Sports. The exception is Israel, where Sport 5 will show the basketball this year.

Asia

Oceania

ESPN and Amazon Prime Video are the official NBA broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder playing against the Charlotte Hornets in a game ahead of the NBA 2025/26 season.

(Image credit: Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

When do the 2026 NBA Playoffs start?

The 2026 NBA Playoffs started on Saturday, April 18. This year's NBA Finals are set to begin on Wednesday, June 3.

Can I watch NBA Playoffs 2026 on my mobile?

The vast majority of broadcasters mentioned in this article have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser – for example, Peacock and ESPN in the US and Sky Go in the UK.

You can also stay up-to-date with the latest NBA news and plays on the official social media channels on X (@NBA), Instagram (nba), Facebook (NBA) TikTok (@nba) and YouTube (@NBA).

NBA Playoffs 2026 Schedule and TV Channels

* denotes 'If required'

Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic
Game 1 – Sun, Apr. 19 at 6.30pm ET / 3.30pm PT / 11.30pm BST on NBC/Peacock
Game 2 – Wed, Apr. 22 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT / 12am BST (Thu) on ESPN
Game 3 – Sat, Apr. 25 at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST on Peacock/NBCSN
Game 4 – Mon, Apr. 27 at TBD
*Game 5 – Wed, Apr. 29 at TBD
*Game 6 – Fri, May 1 at TBD
*Game 7 – Sun, May 3 at TBD

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Adam Marshall
Adam Marshall

Adam was formerly the Content Director of Subscriptions and Services at Future, meaning that he oversaw many of the articles TechRadar produces about antivirus software, VPN, TV streaming, broadband and mobile phone contracts - from buying guides and deals news, to industry interest pieces and reviews. Adam has now dusted off his keyboard to write articles for the likes of TechRadar, T3 and Tom's Guide.

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