NBA Playoffs live stream: how to watch the Conference Semis online, what TV channel

Watch NBA Playoffs live stream

You can watch every game of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Conference Semifinals on Kayo Sports, which offers a free trial to new users in Australia. In the US, the channels you need are ABC/ESPN3, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. You can tune in on TSN and Sportsnet in Canada, and on Sky Sports in the UK. Full details on how to watch the 2023 NBA Playoffs just below.

NBA Playoffs 2023 preview

The Denver Nuggets are seemingly unbeatable, sweeping the LA Lakers and advancing to the NBA Finals. While it seemed like the Miami Heat planned to bring out the brooms in their series as well, the Boston Celtics pulled one out to prevent a sweep. 

Despite their late-season collapse, a 53–29 record was enough to secure Denver the No.1 seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, over in the Eastern Conference, three teams finished with a superior record than the best of the West: the Bucks (58-24), Celtics (57-25) and 76ers (54-28). While the first of those suffered a shock exit in the first round to Miami is going strong with Boston hanging on by a thread.

In Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, Boston and Philadelphia have otherworldly game-changers, as well as strength in depth, and it's hard to look beyond those two for the Championship right now, but only one of them will make it to the Conference Finals.

The Knicks managed to take out the operators of the NBA's meanest defense, the Cavs, and took on Miami as their prize. Things didn't last long though as the Heat advanced with ease. 

Strap yourselves in for a basketball marathon and read on as we explain how to watch a 2023 NBA Playoffs live stream from anywhere.

Today's NBA Playoffs games

It's a big night of basketball over on TNT tonight with Game 5 from the Celtics vs Heat. Can Miami finish things off or will Boston continue to hold on? Things are far from over in the East where the winner takes on Denver for the whole shebang. Full NBA Playoffs TV schedule below.

• 8.30pm ET: Celtics vs Heat (1-3) – TNT

NBA Playoffs live stream: watch every game in the US without cable

Coverage of the 2023 NBA Playoffs is split between ESPN, TNT, ABC/ESPN 3 and NBA TV.

However, covering all of your bases isn't as tricky as it might seem, even if you don't want the commitment or expense of cable. 

Watch NBA Playoffs without cable

Sling TV is a complete cable replacement service that includes ESPN and TNT in its Orange plan, with ABC coverage available via simulcasts on ESPN 3.

It normally costs $40 per month but new users get a half-price deal on their first month. 

Travelling abroad? Use a VPN to watch Sling from outside the USA

NBA TV is available as part of a $13.99 per month NBA Team Pass add-on and you'll be covered for as much basketball as you can handle!

A costlier alternative is to get a FuboTV plan, which includes ESPN and ABC, as well as more 150 other top channels. Its base-level Pro plan costs $74.99 per month after a 7-day FREE trial.

An extra $7.99 per month will net you NBA TV, but you'd still have to do without TNT. 

How to watch the NBA Playoffs from outside your country

If you're abroad right now and struggling to tap into your usual coverage of the NBA, you'll want a VPN. This'll help you circumvent the geo-blocking that will try to stop you from watching an NBA Playoffs live stream in particular parts of the world.

They're a useful means of getting around this issue, are cheap, and are easy to set up as well. Here's how it's done.

Use a VPN to watch 2023 NBA Playoffs from anywhere

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How to watch NBA Playoffs: live stream basketball in the UK

Basketball fans in the UK can watch the 2023 NBA Playoffs unfold on Sky Sports, but bear in mind that most of the action takes place very late at night.

If you want to sign up for Sky Sports, you can check out our guide to Sky TV deals and packages for today's best prices.

Don't fancy being locked into a long, expensive contract? Consider the more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV). Now sports passes start at £11.99.

Alternatively, die-hard fans might want to check out the NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99 per month after a 7-day free trial, and will get you every single game.

Not in the UK but still want to catch the action? Use a VPN to live stream the NBA as if you were at home.

• More sport: how to get a Champions League live stream

How to watch NBA Playoffs: live stream in Canada

In Canada, the 2023 NBA Playoffs are split between Sportsnet and TSN. 

If you get TSN as part of your cable deal, you'll be able to log in with the details of your provider for access to an NBA Playoffs live stream. If you don't, you can subscribe to TSN on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 a month or $199.90 per year.

An SN Now subscription costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year. 

A Sportsnet Now Premium subscription costs $34.99 per month or $199.99 per year, and nets you WWE Network and coverage of the NHL, Bundesliga and FA Cup soccer, United Rugby Championship, Premiership Rugby, National Rugby League, and Super League Rugby.

If you're unable to tune in due to geo-blocking restrictions, remember that a VPN is all you need to watch the action as you would at home.

How to watch 2023 NBA Playoffs: live stream for FREE in Australia

ESPN, available through Foxtel, has got basketball fans in Australia covered for the NBA Playoffs, which you can also stream on your laptop or mobile using the Foxtel Go app. 

Alternatively, you can live stream everything that's being shown on ESPN on the incredible sports platform Kayo Sports – better still, new users get a FREE 7-day trial.

Kayo lets you stream on two devices with its $27.50 per month Basic plan, and on three devices with its $35 Premium plan.

Kayo also gives you access to over 50 other sports including cricket, PGA Tour golf, NRL, F1... the list goes on! Handy if you don't want to go all out on Fox.

Alternatively there's the NBA League Pass, which starts at $21.99 for every remaining game of the season, after a 7-day FREE trial.

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

2023 NBA Playoffs Round 2 Schedule – TV channels

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Miami Heat (8) (1) vs. New York Knicks (5)
Game 1: Knicks vs. Heat | Sun., April 30 | 1pm ET (ABC)
Game 2: Knicks vs. Heat | Tue., May 2 | 7.30pm (TNT)
Game 3: Heat vs. Knicks | Sat., May 6 | 3.30pm (ABC)
Game 4: Heat vs. Knicks | Mon., May 8 | 7.30pm (TNT)
*Game 5: Knicks vs. Heat | Wed., May 10 | TBD
*Game 6: Heat vs. Knicks | Fri, May 12 | TBD
*Game 7: Knicks vs. Heat | Mon., May 15 | TBD

Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Boston Celtics (2)
Game 1: Celtics vs 76ers | Mon. May 1 | 7.30pm ET (TNT)
Game 2: Celtics vs 76ers | Wed., May 3 | 8pm ET (TNT)
Game 3: 76ers vs Celtics | Fri., May 5 | 7.30pm ET (ESPN)
Game 4: 76ers vs Celtics | Sun., May 7 | 3.30pm ET (ESPN)
*Game 5: Celtics vs 76ers | Tue., May 9 | TBD (TNT)
*Game 6: 76ers vs Celtics | Thu., May 11 | TBD (ESPN)
*Game 7: Celtics vs 76ers | Sun., May 14|TBD (TBD)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Denver Nuggets (1) vs. Phoenix Suns (4)
Game 1: Nuggets vs. Suns | Sat., April 29 | (TNT)
Game 2: Nuggets vs. Suns | Mon., May 1 | (TNT)
Game 3: Suns vs. Nuggets | Fri., May 5 | 10pm ET (ESPN)
Game 4: Nuggets vs. Suns | Sun., May 7| 8pm ET (TNT)
*Game 5: Nuggets vs. Suns | Tues., May 9 | (TNT)
*Game 6: Suns vs. Nuggets | Thurs., April 27 | TBD
*Game 7: Nuggets vs. Suns | Sat., April 29 | TBD

Golden State Warriors (6) vs. LA Lakers (7)
Game 1: Warriors vs. Lakers | Tue., May 2 | 10pm ET (TNT)
Game 2: Warriors vs. Lakers | Thu., May 4 | 9pm ET (ESPN)
Game 3: Lakers vs. Warriors | Sat., May 6 | 8.30pm ET (ABC)
Game 4: Lakers vs. Warriors | Sun., May 7| 10pm ET (TNT)
*Game 5: Warriors vs. Lakers | Wed., May 10 | (TNT)
*Game 6: Lakers vs. Warriors | Fri., May 12 | (ESPN)
*Game 7: Warriors vs. Lakers | Sun., May 14 | TBD