The NBA playoffs tend to follow the chalk most years – the favorites win series after series. There are few surprises.
This year, it looks like it should be different – the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs looks set for an upset. While each conference has a clear favorite to advance, both also have powerful teams that come out of play-ins and pose a threat to reach the Finals (like the Heat did a season ago). However, during the first matches, the field and the favorites held.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NBA Playoffs, with full matchups and schedules, which will be updated as the scores come in – check back for all the results.
When do the NBA Playoffs start?
The play-in – the NBA version of the Wild Card round – ends Friday evening, April 19, with two games (Chicago at Miami, Sacramento at New Orleans).
The NBA playoffs begin on Saturday, April 20, with four games. The two teams that win Friday night will have to turn around and fly to Boston (East) or Oklahoma City (West) and begin the playoffs less than 48 hours later.
When do the NBA Finals start?
The NBA Finals will begin on June 6, with the first game in the arena of the team with the best regular season record (Boston has the best overall record in the league and would have a home court against anyone finally).
The remainder of the NBA Finals games are: Game 2 on June 9, Game 3 on June 12, Game 4 on June 14, Game 5 on June 17, Game 6 on June 20, and Game 7 on June 23 (Games 5 through 7 are if necessary).
NBA Eastern Conference, Western Conference playoff bracket
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule
All times are Eastern Time (* = if necessary).
Eastern Conference Schedule
No. 1 Boston to No. 8 seed
Game 1: Boston 114, Miami 94 (Celtics lead 1-0)
Game 2: Miami 111, Boston 101 (series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Boston 104, Miami 84 (Celtics lead 2-1)
Game 4: Celtics at Heat, April 29 (7:30 a.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Heat at Celtics, May 1 (7:30 a.m. ET, TNT)
Game 6: Celtics at Heat, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Heat at Celtics, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
#2 New York to #7 Philadelphia
Game 1: New York 111, Philadelphia 104 (Knicks lead 1-0)
Game 2: New York 104, Philadelphia 101 (Knicks lead 2-0)
Game 3: Philadelphia 125, New York 115 (Knicks lead 2-1)
Game 4: Knicks vs. 76ers, April 28 (1 ET, ABC)
Game 5: 76ers at Knicks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Knicks at 76ers; May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: 76ers at Knicks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#3 Milwaukee at #6 Indiana
Game 1: Milwaukee 109, Indiana 94 (Bucks lead 1-0)
Game 2: Indiana 125, Milwaukee 108 (series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Indiana 121, Milwaukee 118 (OT) (Pacers lead 2-1)
Game 4: Bucks at Pacers, April 28 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks, April 30 (TBD, TBD)
Game 6: Bucks at Pacers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#4 Cleveland to #5 Orlando
Game 1: Cleveland 97, Orlando 83 (Cavaliers lead 1-0)
Game 2: Cleveland 96, Orlando 86 (Cavaliers lead 2-0)
Game 3: Orlando 121, Cleveland 83 (Cavaliers lead 2-1)
Game 4: Orlando 112, Cleveland 89 (series tied 2-2)
Game 5: Magic at Cavaliers, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Magic, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Magic at Cavaliers, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
Western Conference Schedule
#1 Oklahoma City to #8 seed
Game 1: Oklahoma City 94, New Orleans 92 (Thunder leads 1-0)
Game 2: Oklahoma City 124, New Orleans 92 (Thunder leads 2-0)
Game 3: Oklahoma City 106, New Orleans 85 (Thunder leads 3-0)
Game 4: Thunder vs. Pelicans on April 29 (8:30 a.m. ET, NBA TV)
Game 5: Pelicans at Thunder, May 1 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Thunder at Pelicans, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Pelicans at Thunder, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
#2 Denver vs. #7 LA Lakers
Game 1: Denver 114, Los Angeles 103 (Nuggets lead 1-0)
Game 2: Denver 101, Los Angeles 99 (Nuggets lead 2-0)
Game 3: Denver 112, Los Angeles 105 (Nuggets lead 3-0)
Game 4: Los Angeles 119, Denver 108 (Nuggets lead 3-1)
Game 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets, April 29 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Nuggets vs. Lakers, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Lakers vs. Nuggets, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#3 Minnesota at #6 Phoenix
Game 1: Minnesota 120, Phoenix 95 (Timberwolves lead 1-0)
Game 2: Minnesota 105, Phoenix 93 (Timberwolves lead 2-0)
Game 3: Minnesota 126, Phoenix 109 (Timberwolves lead 3-0)
Game 4: Timberwolves at Suns, April 28 (9:30 a.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Suns vs. Timberwolves, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Suns, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Suns vs. Timberwolves, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
#4 LA Clippers at #5 Dallas
Game 1: Los Angeles 109, Dallas 97 (Clippers lead 1-0)
Game 2: Dallas 96, Los Angeles 93 (series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Dallas 101, Los Angeles 90 (Mavericks lead 2-1)
Game 4: Clippers vs. Mavericks, April 28 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5: Mavericks at Clippers, May 1 (10 ET, TNT)
Game 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Mavericks vs. Clippers, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
