NBA playoffs live stream: how to watch every 2024 postseason basketball game online

Watch a NBA playoffs live stream 2023/24

Coverage of the 2024 NBA playoffs in the US is spread across ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV. In this article we explain how to watch NBA live streams in various countries, with some match-ups also available via a subscription to NBA League Pass. And you can use a VPN to watch your preferred NBA live stream from abroad.

NBA 2024 playoffs: Preview

Almost a year since Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to their first ever championship, the 2024 NBA playoffs are underway to see who will be crowned the next kings of the court.

With LeBron James's LA Lakers dumped by Denver, Giannis Antetokounmpo's Milwaukee Bucks outpaced by Indiana, and Steph Curry's Golden State Warriors unable to make it out of the play-in, there's a good chance that we may see a fresh set of faces lifting the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in June.

Or maybe we'll watch Denver double up. Only the formidable Boston Celtics won more than the Nuggets in the regular season, and their 4-1 dismantling of LeBron and co in the first round of the playoffs showed once again that they would be a force to be reckoned with.

Read as we explain how to watch NBA playoffs live streams from anywhere in the world, including the best-value streaming services that have it all.

NBA playoffs live stream: watch in the US without cable and on TV

NBA games are nationally televised on ESPN, TNT, ABC and NBA TV in the US. You can check out the official schedule to see what games are being shown where.

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. 

The best ways to watch NBA without cable:

Sling TV is a complete cable replacement service that carries ESPN and TNT on its Orange plan, with ABC coverage available via simulcasts on ESPN3, which is also included.

It normally costs from $40 per month but if you're a new user you'll get a discount on your first month. 

A costlier alternative is FuboTV, which includes ESPN, ABC and more than 150 other top channels, but not TNT. Its base-level Pro plan costs $79.99 per month after a 7-day FREE trial. 

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How to watch NBA live streams from outside your country

We've set out how you can live stream NBA games in a number of countries around the world. However, if you're away travelling for pleasure or for work, you probably won't be able to tune in like you normally would at home. This is the result of geo-blocking – best understood as digital borders that restrict certain services and content to specific parts of the world.

You can hop over these digital barriers by using one of the best VPNs, which can also offer robust protection from cybercriminals and government snooping. They're really easy to use too.

Use a VPN to live stream NBA from anywhere:

NordVPN – get the world's best VPN
We regularly review all the biggest and best VPN providers and NordVPN is our #1 choice. It unblocked every streaming service in testing and it's very straightforward to use. Speed, security and 24/7 support available if you need – it's got it all.

The best value plan is the two-year deal which sets the price at $3.69 per month, and includes an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. There's also an all-important and there's a 30-day no-quibble refund if you decide it's not for you.

- So, try NordVPN 100% risk-free for 30 days

How to use a VPN to watch the NBA

Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...

1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN.

2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location.

3. Go to the broadcaster's stream - head to your home broadcaster's site or app and watch as if you were at home.

Can I watch NBA playoffs 2024 on League Pass?

NBA League Pass is the organization's dedicated subscription streaming service.

In most territories – the UK, Canada and Australia, for example – the League Pass makes every single game available to watch live. It costs from £29.99 and AU$43.99 for the remainder of the postseason, and CA$19.99 a month in Canada.

In the US, League Pass subscribers can stream all NBA playoff games live, except those that are nationally broadcast (which they can watch three hours after the game). It costs from $14.99 per month.

How to watch NBA playoffs 2024 in the UK

Basketball fans in the UK can watch the 2023/24 NBA season unfold on TNT Sports, which also holds the rights to Champions League and some Premier League football too.

You can get TNT Sports by subscribing to the Discovery+ Premium plan for £30.99 per month, or you can add TNT Sports through TV providers such as Sky, BT, EE or Virgin Media.

Alternatively, die-hard fans might want to check out the NBA League Pass, which costs from £29.99 for the rest of the season.

If you're currently outside the UK and want to watch the NBA like you would at home, don't worry about geo-blocks on your account – simply grab a VPN and follow the instructions above to live stream the action. 

How to watch NBA playoffs 2024 in Canada

Sportsnet and TSN share NBA playoffs coverage in Canada. The official NBA schedule has details of where to watch which game.

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 live stream. If you don't, you can subscribe to TSN Plus on a streaming-only basis from $8 per month.

In addition to TV, Sportsnet coverage is available via a Sportsnet Plus subscription, which starts at $179.99 per year or $19.99 per month.

In Canada, the NBA League Pass costs $19.99 per month. But bear in mind that all nationally televised games – which includes all Raptors games – are subject to blackouts and can only be watched three hours later. 

If you're unable to watch the game you want due to geo-blocking restrictions, remember that a VPN is all you need to tune back in to your preferred NBA coverage wherever you are.

How to watch NBA playoffs 2024 in Australia

Every single game of the 2024 NBA playoffs is being shown live on ESPN on TV and Kayo Sports online each week.

ESPN coverage is also via a Foxtel subscription, while Kayo Sports is an ideal option if you don't want the commitment of a lengthy contract.

Kayo lets you stream on one device with its $25 per month One plan or two devices (and in 4K) with its $35 per month Basic plan.

It also gives you access to over 50 other sports including cricket, NFL, NRL, PGA Tour golf, F1... the list goes on!

Alternatively there's the NBA League Pass, which starts at $43.99 for the rest of the season and provides live streaming access to every single game.

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

When are the 2024 NBA playoffs?

The 2023/24 NBA regular season ran until Sunday, April 14. The 2024 NBA postseason began two days later.

The play-in tournament was played from Tuesday, April 16 to Friday, April 19, while the NBA playoffs will started on Saturday, April 20.

The NBA Finals are expected to begin in June 2024.