The first round of the NBA playoffs lived up to the hype: The Knicks and 76ers battled for six dramatic games, while the Lakers pushed the defending champions and the Nuggets’ Jamal Murray pushed back with some winning shots.
Now things get serious as we move into the second round of the playoffs. Let’s look at the second round of the playoffs: the table, the schedule, and as they arrive, we will also update the scores here. Let’s break it all down.
When do the NBA Finals start?
The NBA Finals begin on June 6, with the first game at the home court 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 in the Finals ).
The rest 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 5-7 are required if necessary).
NBA Eastern Conference, Western Conference playoff bracket
2024 NBA Playoffs Schedule
All times are Eastern Time (* = if necessary).
Eastern Conference
#1 Boston vs. Orlando/Cleveland
Game 1: Boston 120, Cleveland 95 (Celtics lead 1-0)
Game 2: Cavaliers at Celtics, May 9 (7 ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, May 11 (8:30 a.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, May 13 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, May 1 (TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, May 3 (TBD, ESPN)*
Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*
#2 New York vs. #6 Indiana
Game 1: New York 121, Indiana 117 (Knicks lead 1-0)
Game 2: Pacers vs. Knicks, May 8 (8 ET, TNT)
Game 3: Knicks vs. Pacers, May 10 (7 ET, TNT)
Game 4: Knicks vs. Pacers, May 12 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 5: Pacers vs. Knicks, May 14 (TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers; May 17 (TBD, ESPN)*
Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, May 19 (TBD, TBD)*
Western Conference
#1 Oklahoma City vs. #5 Dallas
Game 1: Oklahoma City 117, Dallas 95 (Thunder leads 1-0)
Game 2: Mavericks at Thunder, May 9 (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Thunder at Mavericks, May 11 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Game 4: Thunder at Mavericks, May 13 (9:30 a.m. ET, TNT)
Game 5: Mavericks at Thunder, May 15 (TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Thunder at Mavericks, May 18 (8:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)*
Game 7: Mavericks at Thunder, May 20 (8:30 a.m. ET, TNT)*
#2 Denver to #3 Minnesota
Game 1: Minnesota 106, Denver 99 (Timberwolves lead 1-0)
Game 2: Minnesota 106, Denver 80 (Timberwolves lead 2-0)
Game 3: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, May 10 (9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)
Game 4: Nuggets at Timberwolves, May 12 (8 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Timberwolves at Nuggets, May 14 (TBD, TNT)*
Game 6: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, May 16 (8:30 a.m. ET, ESPN)*
Game 7: Timberwolves at Nuggets, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*