How to watch NBA Playoffs 2026: live streams, schedule, TV channels, Knicks vs Spurs
New York and San Antonio playoff in a seven-game series to become the 2026 NBA champions
- NBA Playoffs 2026: April 18 to June 19 (Finals from June 3)
- Stream on ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock & Amazon Prime (US)
- Unlock your stream with NordVPN (save up to 76%)
NBA Playoffs 2026 live streams see the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs go head-to-head over seven games to decide this year's NBA champions.
After the season that the Oklahoma City Thunder had, it was proving difficult to most b-ball pundits to see who might stop them going back-to-back. Enter the Spurs, who managed to overcome them across seven gruelling games of the Western Conference finals. The 2014 champs and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama now get the chance to go all the way.
With defending Eastern Conference champions the Indiana Pacers failing to make the postseason, the scene was set for either the Cleveland Cavaliers or New York Knicks to storm the East and make it into the Finals. Nobody saw a four-game sweep coming from the Knickerbockers, as Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride and co finally ended their franchise's long wait for a first shot at the big time in the 21st century.
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.
NBA Playoffs 2026 Schedule and TV Channels
* denotes 'If required'
Finals – New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
Game 1 – Wed, Jun 3 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Thu) on ABC/ESPN app
Game 2 – Fri, Jun 5 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Sat) on ABC/ESPN app
Game 3 – Mon, Jun 8 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Tue) on ABC/ESPN app
Game 4 – Wed, Jun 10 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Thu) on ABC/ESPN app
*Game 5 – Sat, Jun 13 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Sun) on ABC/ESPN app
*Game 6 – Tue, Jun 16 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Wed) on ABC/ESPN app
*Game 7 – Fri, Jun 19 at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT / 1.30am BST (Sat) on ABC/ESPN app
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
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 above.
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
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
NBA Playoffs 2026 action is split between Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
The Finals are set to be broadcast exclusively by Prime Video.
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
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 $9.99 a month).
For the most comprehensive coverage, there's also the NBA League Pass, from $24.99 a month or $49.99 for the remainder 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
Click to see more NBA Playoffs 2026 streams▼
- Caribbean & Central America
You can watch the 2025/26 NBA season unfold on ESPN across the Caribbean and in Central American countries (including Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama).
B-ball fans in the Caribbean and Mexico will also be able to watch a selection of games on Amazon Prime Video.
- South America
ESPN has the broadcast rights to the 2025/26 NBA season across Latin America. That includes:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (games also on Amazon Prime Video), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Europe
Click to see more NBA Playoffs 2026 streams▼
- Albania
Albanians will be able to watch NBA basketball on Tring Sport.
- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine
Setanta Sports has the rights to show NBA basketball in these countries.
- Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, San Marino & Switzerland
Sky will show the NBA Playoffs 2026 action in these countries, with Amazon Prime Video also having rights to show some games.
- Balkans
Pay TV provider Arena Sport holds the NBA rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
- Baltic states
Live NBA is shown by Go3 Sport in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
- Belgium, Spain, Andorra & Luxembourg
Specialist sports streamer DAZN has the rights to 2025/26 NBA basketball in these countries, with Amazon Prime Video also hosting games.
- Bulgaria
You can watch NBA action on Diema Sport in Bulgaria.
- Croatia & Slovenia
Sport Klub and Prime Video have the rights to the NBA here.
- Cyprus
CYTA has the rights in Cyprus,
- Czech Republic & Slovakia
Nova Sport has the rights to show NBA Playoffs 2026 games on television in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
- France
NBA coverage is available via beIN Sports and Amazon Prime Video in France.
- Greece
Cosmote Sport and Prime Video have NBA rights in Greece.
- Hungary
Sport1 will air coverage of the 2025/26 NBA season in Hungary.
- Iceland
You'll need access to Stöð 2 Sport to watch the NBA.
- Ireland
NBA games will be shown on Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video in Ireland.
- Netherlands
ESPN holds the rights to the NBA in the Netherlands.
- Norway
NBA coverage in Norway is shared between Rex and HBO Max.
- Portugal
Sport TV is the main NBA rights-holder in Portugal, with Prime Video also showing games.
- Romania
Antena Play is set to stream games in Romania.
- Turkey
Turkey's listed NBA broadcasters are S Sport and Prime Video.
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
Click to see more NBA Playoffs 2026 streams▼
- China
Tencent, Migu, CCTV and the Shanghai Media Group are all listed as NBA rights-holders in China.
- Hong Kong
Now Sports and Prime Video are set to show NBA Playoffs 2026 basketball in Hong Kong.
- India
The main NBA broadcaster in India will be Amazon Prime Video this season. Some games will also be shown on the NBA's YouTube channel in India.
- Indonesia
Indonesia's broadcasters are Emtek and Prime Video.
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
Residents of these Central Asian countries can watch the NBA on Setanta Sports.
- Japan
Japanese NBA fans will need access to Lemino and Prime Video.
- Macau
NBA will show on M Plus in Macau.
- Malaysia
Astro SuperSport has NBA rights in Malaysia.
- Mongolia
Those in Mongolia can watch on Premier Sports Network and Prime Video.
- Philippines
NBA coverage in the Philippines is shared between One Sports, NBA TV Philippines and Prime Video.
- Singapore
Starhub and Prime Video have NBA rights in Singapore.
- South Korea
Coupang Play and Prime Video are showing NBA games in Korea.
- Taiwan
NBA coverage in Taiwan is shared between Videoland, Prime Video and ELTA TV.
- Thailand
AIS Play and Prime Video are the broadcasters here.
- Tajikistan
NBA will be shown on Varzish TV.
- Vietnam
NBA fans in Vietnam can watch live action thanks to FPT.
Oceania
ESPN and Amazon Prime Video are the official NBA broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.
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).
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.
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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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