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The 2025 NBA playoffs will likely be an epic clash between legendary superstars and emerging talent. How much do veterans like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have left in the tank? And will it be enough to overcome hotshots like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who started averaging more than 30 points per game in the 22-23 season and hasn't looked back? Can the 23-year-old Anthony Edwards lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a Cinderella story NBA title? Are the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers good enough to win their first championship since LeBron left town? All will soon be revealed. Here's all you need to know about where to watch the NBA playoffs, kicking off on April 15.
NBA Playoffs
NBA Playoffs NBA/Getty Images
In the Eastern Conference, the reigning champion Boston Celtics will look to add another ring to their franchise's record-holding 18 NBA titles. With talent like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the roster, things are looking good for the bros in Beantown. But the Cavs are not to be trifled with. Under the leadership of Coach Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland is in the midst of arguably its greatest season in franchise history. And after getting knocked out of the playoffs last year by the Celtics in the semifinals, the Cavs are no doubt hungry for revenge.
Meanwhile out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder hope to win their first NBA title since relocating from Seattle. For those keeping track, that's a 46-year drought. Much of their success will depend on Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, two younger players who have both been spectacular this season but are perhaps less postseason savvy than fellow Western Conference competitors like LeBron, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic. Can the Thunder make history and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with?
The 2025 NBA playoffs may go down in basketball history as a changing of the guard; a time when the stars of yesteryear made way for the new kids on the block. To learn how to watch every second of this potentially historic postseason live, read on.
How do the NBA playoffs work?
The 2025 NBA playoffs will begin with a play-in tournament on April 15, followed by the first round of the playoffs on April 19. The play-in tournament allows the No. 9 and No. 10 seed teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences to compete for a shot at the postseason. The 9 and 10 seed teams will play against each other, and the winner will move on to face the loser of a game between the No. 7 and 8 seeds. At the end of the play-in tournament, 8 teams will remain in each conference.
After several playoff rounds, the winners of each conference will face each other for the 2025 NBA championship. Game 1 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for June 5.
How many games are in the NBA playoffs?
After the play-in tournament, all rounds of the NBA playoffs are best-of-seven series. Each series continues until one team wins four games, meaning that the number of total games will be determined by how quickly one team can eliminate the other.
How to watch the NBA playoffs
The play-in tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and TNT April 15-18. Then the rest of the playoffs will air on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV, beginning with first round action on April 19.
How to Watch NBA Playoffs on Hulu + Live TV
ABC, ESPN, and TNT are all available, along with nearly 100 other channels, on Hulu + Live TV. You can get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads) for $82.99/month after a 3-day free trial. Or, you can pay a bit extra to get rid of the ads on Hulu and Disney+ for $95.99/month. In addition to being able to watch NBA playoff games, you can also get a ton of regular season pro and college basketball with ESPN+.
How to Watch NBA Playoffs on DIRECTV STREAM
DIRECTV STREAM carries ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV — all of the channels you'll need for the NBA playoffs. Subscription plans range from Entertainment (around $86.99/month) to Ultimate (around $129.99/month). Please note that these prices do not include possible additional costs, such as regional sports network fee. Any of the plans will get you access to more than 100 channels, including plenty of additional sports content. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to have the 2025 NBA playoffs at your fingertips, DIRECTV STREAM is a superb option.
Note that DIRECTV STREAM's pricing may vary by location.
How to Watch NBA Playoffs on Sling TV
Sling TV offers ABC, ESPN, and TNT in its various plans. You can also get NBA TV with an NBA League Pass add-on. Subscription options include Orange ($45.99/month) and Blue ($50.99/month) with both currently $10 off for the first month, as well as Orange + Blue, which is $65.99/month and also $10 off for the first month.
Like DIRECTV STREAM, Sling TV's pricing varies depending on location. See your options on their site, linked below.
How to Watch NBA Playoffs on Fubo
Fubo carries ABC, ESPN, and NBA TV. The streamer offers Pro at $84.99/month ($54.99 for first month) and Elite at $94.99/month ($64.99 for first month). Get unlimited DVR and ability to watch on up to ten screens with both of these options.
How to Watch NBA Playoffs from anywhere with a VPN
If you're hoping to watch the 2025 NBA playoffs but are located somewhere outside of the United States, don't worry. You can still access an American streaming service like the ones listed above by signing up for a VPN service. ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access both allow you to hide your location and watch U.S. streaming platforms. Private Internet Access starts at $2/month, while ExpressVPN plans start at $8.32/month. Also, NordVPN is another great service that's hosting a 72% off discount right now.
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