NBA Playoffs 2024: First round scores, dates, TV times, schedule and more

The 2024 NBA Playoffs are underway, and the first round is already building the pressure.

Anthony Edwards delivered an emotional performance for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener against the Phoenix Suns. The 22-year-old star put on a spectacular shooting display against Kevin Durant and took it to him throughout the game as the Wolves started the series with a big win. Meanwhile, the Clippers routed the Dallas Mavericks without injured forward Kawhi Leonard in the most shocking result of the weekend. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were out, but they didn’t get much help from their teammates.

In the East, Joel Embiid’s health is once again in question after he appeared hobbled late in the New York Knicks’ Game 1 win over his Philadelphia 76ers. Elsewhere, the Bucks’ demise seems exaggerated. Milwaukee hammered the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 even without injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

There is no shortage of intrigue in 2024 NBA Playoffs.

The Denver Nuggets are looking to become back-to-back champions, which would cement their place as the league’s new superpower and Nikola Jokic’s place as this generation’s defining player. THE Boston Celtics are finally trying to break through for their first championship of the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown era after revamping their roster in the offseason with veteran additions Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Boston finished with a record 64 wins this season, 14 more than anyone in the Eastern Conference.

It would be a major upset if it weren’t for Nuggets vs. Celtics in 2024 NBA Finalsbut there are several challengers who won’t make life easier for each conference’s favorites.

The young Oklahoma City Thunder plays a five-out offense while boasting a top-5 overall defense. THE Minnesota Timberwolves feel like the biggest team in the league and leverage that size to become the most intimidating defensive unit in the league. THE Dallas Mavericks are rolling with Luka Doncic reaching the peak of his powers, and the Los Angeles Clippers just want a healthy playoff run to see the ceiling of their veteran group.

We’ll be tracking the 2024 NBA Playoffs in this article, starting with the first round matchups, schedule, and results. Let’s go.

2024 NBA Playoffs table

NBA Playoffs 2024: schedule and results

Eastern Conference

No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Miami Heat: Dates and times for each game

• Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94

• Game 2: Heat vs. Celtics; Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 3: Celtics vs. Heat; Saturday April 27 6 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 4: Celtics vs. Heat; Monday April 29 (TBD, TBD)

• Game 5: Heat vs. Celtics; Wednesday May 1st (TBD, TBD)*

• Game 6: Celtics vs. Heat; Friday May 3 (TBD, TBD)*

• Game 7: Heat vs. Celtics; Sunday May 5 (TBD, TBD)*

No. 2 New York Knicks against No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers: program, times and television

• Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104

• Game 2: 76ers vs. Knicks; Monday, April 22, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 3: Knicks vs. 76ers; Thursday, April 25, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 4: Knicks vs. 76ers; Sunday, April 28, 1 p.m. ET, ABC

• Game 5: 76ers vs. Knicks; Tuesday April 30 TBD, TBD*

• Game 6: Knicks vs. 76ers; Thursday, May 2 TBD, TBD*

• Game 7: 76ers vs. Knicks; Saturday May 4 to be determined, TNT*

* = If necessary

No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers: Dates, TV and more

• Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94

• Game 2: Pacers vs. Bucks; Tuesday, April 23, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV

• Game 3: Bucks vs. Pacers; Friday, April 26, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

• Game 4: Bucks vs. Pacers; Sunday, April 28, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks; Tuesday April 30, TBD, TBD*

• Game 6: Bucks vs. Pacers; Thursday, May 2, to be determined, to be determined*

• Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks; Saturday May 4, TBD, TNT*

* = If necessary

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic: How to Watch

• Game 1: Horsemen 97, Magic 83

• Game 2: Magic vs. Knights; Monday, April 22, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV

• Game 3: Horsemen versus Magic; Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV

• Game 4: Horsemen versus Magic; Saturday, April 27, 1 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 5: Magic vs. Knights; Tuesday April 30, TBD, TBD*

• Game 6: Horsemen versus Magic; Friday May 3 TBD, TBD*

• Game 7: Magic vs. Knights; Sunday May 5, TBD, TBD*

* = If necessary

Western Conference

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans: TV schedule and start times

• Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92

• Game 2: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Wednesday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 3: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Saturday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. ET TNT

• Game 4: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Monday, April 29, to be determined, to be determined

• Game 5: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Wednesday, May 1, to be determined, to be determined*

• Game 6: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Friday May 3, TBD, TBD*

• Game 7: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Sunday May 5, TBD, TBD*

** = Winner of the Play-In Game between the Pelicans and the Kings on Friday

* = If necessary

No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers: full schedule and TV times

• Game 1:Nuggets 114, Lakers 103

• Game 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 22, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Thursday, April 25, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Saturday, April 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

• Game 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday April 29 TBD, TBD*

• Game 6: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Thursday, May 2 TBD, TBD*

• Game 7: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Saturday May 4 to be determined, TNT*

* = If necessary

No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns: TV times and dates for first-round series

• Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95

• Game 2: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Friday, April 26, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

• Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Sunday, April 28, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 5: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Tuesday April 30 TBD, TBD*

• Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Thursday, May 2 TBD, TBD*

• Game 7: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Saturday May 4 to be determined, TNT*

* = If necessary

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks: Schedule, TV times and more

• Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97

• Game 2: Mavericks vs. Clippers; Tuesday, April 23, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

• Game 3: Clippers vs. Mavericks; Friday, April 26, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

• Game 4: Clippers vs. Mavericks; Sunday, April 28, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Clippers; Wednesday May 1st to be determined, to be determined*

• Game 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks; Friday May 3 TBD, TBD*

• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Clippers; Sunday May 5 TBD, TBD*

* = If necessary