The complete NBA playoffs 2025 schedule: Key dates and matchups from start to finish

The NBA playoffs 2025 are just around the corner, and the excitement can’t be higher than this! Kicking off with the Play-In Tournament on April 15, teams are gearing up for a fierce competition to clinch their playoff positions. Who will step up and who will miss the mark?

NBA Play-In Tournament Tuesday, April 15The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament start on April 15 with high-stakes matchups in both conferences:

• The East's 8th seed, the Atlanta Hawks will take on the 7th-seeded Orlando Magic at 7:30 PM ET. Whoever wins grabs the No. 7 spot in the East.
• The Memphis Grizzlies, currently the 8th seed in the West, are taking on the 7th-seeded Golden State Warriors at 10:00 PM ET. The winner grabs the No. 7 spot in the West.

Wednesday, April 16This coming Wednesday, April 16, the NBA Bracket 2025 Play-In Tournament will include two elimination games:

• The Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are going head-to-head at 7:30 PM ET, and it’s all on the line, whoever loses is packing it up for the season.
• It all comes down to Sacramento (9th) and Dallas (10th) clash at 10 PM ET. One team advances, the other’s season comes to an end.

Friday, April 18On Friday, April 18, the 2020 NBA Play-In Tournament will conclude with two high-stakes games that will determine the last playoff seeds:

• The team that wins the East 9/10 game will go up against the loser of the East 7/8 game, earning a spot in the playoffs as the East's No. 8 seed.
• The winner of the West 9/10 contest will go up against the loser of the West 7/8 game, with the victor advancing to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the West.

First round Eastern Conference (1) Cleveland vs. (8) TBD
Cleveland takes on the (8) TBD team, and the series is currently tied 0-0.

• Game 1 is set for Sunday, April 20 at the Cavaliers’ home court, with details about the opponent still to be determined.
• Game 2 will also be played at the Cavaliers' arena, though the exact NBA playoffs schedule hasn’t been finalized yet.
• Game 3, the Cavaliers will head on the road to play at TBD, with more details on the timing coming soon.
• Game 4 sees Cleveland on the road again, facing off at TBD.
• Game 5 will be back at the Cavaliers’ home, again with the specifics to be announced.
• Game 6 puts the Cavaliers back on the road at TBD, should that game be needed.
• Game 7, the final showdown will be at the Cavaliers’ home court, with the date still TBD

(2) Boston vs. (7) TBD
The Boston Celtics are set to face off against the (7) TBD team, and the series is tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 kicks off on Sunday, April 20, at the Celtics' home court, with details on the opponent still to be announced.
• Game 2 will also be held at Boston’s arena, though the specific NBA playoffs schedule is yet to be confirmed.
• In Game 3, the Celtics will head out on the road to face TBD, with timing still TBD.
• Game 4 will again see the Celtics playing on the road against TBD, with the date to be determined.
• If the series stretches to Game 5, it will return to Boston for another home game, with the details yet to be finalized.
• Should Game 6 be needed, the Celtics will be on the road facing TBD once more, with the date still to be decided.
• Game 7 will take place at the Celtics' home court, should it come down to a decisive final game.

(3) New York vs. (6) Detroit
The Boston Celtics are set to face off against the (7) TBD team, and the series is tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 kicks off on Sunday, April 20, at the Celtics' home court, with details on the opponent still to be announced.
• Game 2 will also be held at Boston’s arena, though the specific NBA playoffs schedule is yet to be confirmed.
• In Game 3, the Celtics will head out on the road to face TBD, with timing still TBD.
• Game 4 will again see the Celtics playing on the road against TBD, with the date to be determined.
• If the series stretches to Game 5, it will return to Boston for another home game, with the details yet to be finalized.
• Should Game 6 be needed, the Celtics will be on the road facing TBD once more, with the date still to be decided.
• Game 7 will take place at the Celtics' home court, should it come down to a decisive final game.

(3) New York vs. (6) Detroit
The New York Knicks will be taking on the Detroit Pistons in a highly anticipated series, currently tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 is set for Saturday, April 19, at 6 PM ET, with the Pistons visiting the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
• Game 2 will also be at the Knicks’ home court, though the exact timing is still TBD.
• Game 3 shifts to Detroit, with the Knicks heading on the road to face the Pistons, but the date is yet to be confirmed.
• Game 4 will also be held in Detroit, with the Knicks continuing their road trip, and details are still pending.
• If the series goes to Game 5, it will return to New York for another home game, but the timing is still TBD.
• For Game 6, the Knicks will be going to Detroit on the road again. The date will be set soon.
• Game 7 will bring the Pistons to New York, if needed, with the details yet to be determined.

(4) Indiana vs. (5) Milwaukee
The Indiana Pacers will be facing off against the Milwaukee Bucks in an exciting matchup, with the series tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 is set for Saturday, April 19, at 1 PM ET, with the Bucks visiting the Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• Game 2 will be played in Indiana, but the exact NBA playoffs schedule is still to be announced.
• For Game 3, the series moves to Milwaukee, with the Pacers hitting the road to face the Bucks. The date for this game is yet to be declared.
• Game 4 will also be played in Milwaukee, as the Pacers continue their road trip, with details still TBD.
• If the series reaches Game 5, it will return to Indiana for another home game, with the timing to be finalized.
• Game 6 will bring the Pacers back to Milwaukee if needed, but the exact date is still pending.
• Finally, Game 7 will see the Bucks back in Indiana, should it go the full seven games, with the schedule still to be determined.

Western Conference (1) Oklahoma City vs. (8) TBD
The Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face the (8) TBD team in the first round, with the series currently tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 will take place on Sunday, April 20, at the Thunder's home court, though the opponent and exact timing are still TBD.
• Game 2 will also be played in Oklahoma City, with the details still to be confirmed.
• For Game 3, the Thunder will head on the road to face TBD, with the date and time still to be determined.
• Game 4 will also see Oklahoma City on the road, with the specifics yet to be announced.
• If the series goes to Game 5, it will return to the Thunder’s home court, but the schedule is still TBD.
• Should it extend to Game 6, the Thunder will be back on the road facing TBD, with more details coming soon.
• If the series reaches Game 7, it will take place in Oklahoma City, with the timing to be finalized.

(2) Houston vs. (7) TBD
The Houston Rockets will face the (7) TBD team in an exciting series, with the matchup currently tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, at the Rockets’ home court, though the opponent and exact timing are still TBD.
• Game 2 will also take place in Houston, with the specifics yet to be determined.
• For Game 3, the Rockets will travel to face TBD, and the date and time are still to be confirmed.
• Game 4 will also be on the road for Houston, with details still pending.
• If the series extends to Game 5, it will return to Houston for another home game, but the schedule is still TBD.
• Game 6 will bring the Rockets back on the road to face TBD if needed, with the timing still to be finalized.
• Lastly, if it goes to Game 7, the final game will be in Houston, with the details to be confirmed soon.

(3) L.A. Lakers vs. (6) Minnesota
The L.A. Lakers will be taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves in a thrilling series, currently tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 is set for Saturday, April 19, at 8:30 PM ET, with the Timberwolves visiting the Lakers at the Staples Center. You can watch it on ABC.
• Game 2 will also be held in Los Angeles, but the exact NBA playoffs schedule is still TBD.
• For Game 3, the Lakers will hit the road to face the Timberwolves in Minnesota, with the date yet to be confirmed.
• Game 4 will also take place in Minnesota, as the Lakers continue their road trip, with the timing still TBD.
• If the series stretches to Game 5, it will return to Los Angeles for another home game, with the schedule still to be finalized.
• Game 6 will bring the Lakers back to Minnesota if needed, with the date to be determined.
• Lastly, Game 7 will take place in Los Angeles, should the series go the distance, with the timing yet to be confirmed.

(4) Denver vs. (5) LA Clippers
Denver Nuggets are set to face off against the LA Clippers in an exciting series, currently tied at 0-0.

• Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, at 3:30 PM ET, with the Clippers visiting the Nuggets at Ball Arena. You can catch the game on ESPN.
• Game 2 will also be held in Denver, but the exact timing is still TBD.
• For Game 3, the Nuggets will travel to Los Angeles to face the Clippers, with the date and time still to be confirmed.
• Game 4 will also take place in LA, as the Nuggets continue their road trip, with the details still pending.
• If the series extends to Game 5, it will return to Denver for another home game, but the schedule is still TBD.

2025 NBA Playoffs Dates To Know

• The 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament is happening from April 15 to 18.
• The first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs will kick off on April 19.
• Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, which is scheduled for June 5.

All 2025 NBA Playoffs Key DatesApril 13: The NBA Regular Season wraps up.

April 15-18: Get ready for the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.

April 19: The 2025 NBA Playoffs officially begin.

May 5-6: Conference Semifinals start (they may move up to May 3-4).

May 20: Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET (could shift to May 18).

May 21: Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (may move to May 19).

May 22: Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET.

May 23: Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET.

May 24: Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET.

May 25: Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET.

May 26: Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET.

May 27: Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET.

May 28: Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET (if needed).

May 29: Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (if needed).

May 30: Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET (if needed).

May 31: Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (if needed).

June 1: Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on ESPN, 8 p.m. ET (if needed).

June 2: Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on TNT, 8 p.m. ET (if needed).

NBA Finals 2025 Dates
June 5: Game 1 – ABC

June 8: Game 2 – ABC

June 11: Game 3 – ABC

June 13: Game 4 – ABC

June 16, 19, 22: Games 5–6-7 – ABC ( if needed)

Where to WatchYou can catch all the action from the NBA bracket 2025 on major networks like ABC, ESPN, and TNT. ABC will be airing the NBA Finals games, while ESPN and TNT will cover the Play-In Tournament, Conference Finals, and other playoff matchups.

Also Read: Anthony Davis becomes the first player in NBA history to record 23 points, 13 rebounds, 9 assists, and 7 blocks in under 30 minutes of play

The NBA playoffs are available on platforms like ESPN+, TNT's streaming service, and ABC's app. You can also catch the games live on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV, which all offer access to ESPN, TNT, and ABC.