NBA Playoffs Schedule

See the NBA Playoffs Schedule complete, understand how it works and discover how to follow each round without missing anything.

NBA playoff schedule: when the season actually starts

If you're the type of person who's been following the NBA since the preseason, great, we're in this together.

But let's be honest here: the real season starts in the playoffs, right?

This is when the guys play seriously. Rotation shortens, coach is on the bench, star shines (or pops), and every possession turns into a war.

And for those who, like me, live this phase with the intensity of the World Cup final, knowing exactly what NBA Playoffs Schedule it's almost a sacred ritual.

In this review, I'll tell you how I organize myself to keep up with everything, where to see the official dates, and how not to miss any important games – even if that means changing my lunch break or “getting sick” during work hours.

When do the 2025 NBA playoffs start?

Write it down, brother: the 2025 NBA playoffs are starting on Saturday, April 20th, right after the end of the play-in tournament, which takes place between April 16th and 19th.

THE NBA Playoffs Schedule is usually officially released once the first round matchups are set. But the games usually follow this pattern:

• Games every two days (approximately)
• Alternating rounds between Eastern and Western Conference
• Main times: 2pm, 4:30pm, 8pm and 10pm (Brasília time)
• Conference Finals usually start between May 21st and 23rd
• To the NBA Finals 2025 are scheduled to begin on June 6th

In other words: mark it on your calendar now – and, if you are as committed as I am, free up space on your mental hard drive to absorb every detail of this emotional marathon.

What do I do as soon as the NBA Playoffs Schedule comes out?

Seriously, this is no exaggeration: the day the official schedule comes out, I stop everything I'm doing and open a spreadsheet in Google Docs. There, I put each game with:

• Date
• Time
• Home team
• Broadcast channel
• And a field to write down the score later (yes, I'm one of those)

With this, I can plan whether I'm going to watch it live, if I need to schedule that replay or if I can start separating rival fan memes to post after the defeat.

How the NBA Playoffs Are Organized (No Bullshit)

For those who have just landed here, let me quickly explain how this thing works. NBA playoffs:

📌 Playoff stages:

1. Play-In Tournament (April 16-19):
   The teams that finished between 7th and 10th in each conference compete for the last spots in the playoffs. It's like a "bonus knockout". Level 1000 excitement.
2. First Round (starting April 20):
   There are 8 matches in total (4 in each conference). Best of 7 games.
3. Conference Semifinals:
   The winners of the first round will face each other in another 7-game series.
4. Conference Finals:
   The top two from the East and West decide who goes to the NBA Finals.
5. NBA Finals (starting June 6):
   The Eastern champion faces the Western champion. Best of 7. The final consecration.

Tips for following the NBA playoffs without going crazy

If you, like me, want to see every three-pointer, every counterattack shot and every coach cursing the referee, here are some tips that have helped me for years:

1. Use apps with custom alerts

The NBA app is great, but I really like the SofaScore, NBA League Pass and even Google Calendar synced with my gaming calendar.

2. Create a group with friends who follow

Here at home, I have the “Playoffs or Nothing” group on WhatsApp. Everyone comments, shares screenshots, curses together and celebrates as if it were the Libertadores final.

3. Avoid spoilers if you watch on delay

Turn off notifications on your phone. I've missed the excitement of several game winners because of Twitter banners or the ESPN App.

4. Watch the games with American commentary if you can

Seriously. You feel like you're in the arena. And the commentary is more tactical and less "shouting for the sake of it."

Where to watch NBA playoff games?

Here comes the question that everyone asks as soon as the calendar comes out: Where will the games be played?

Star+ and ESPN

They broadcast most of the games. They don't always catch all of them, but they have priority over the main matches.

NBA League Pass

It's the best option to watch everything, without any hassle. You can subscribe only during the playoffs, and the price is usually worth it. And you can also watch in top quality.

SporTV

Sometimes, during the finals, a game or two will be shown on free-to-air TV. But don't count on it. This is the real NBA.

And the best matchups of the 2025 playoffs?

We don't have all of them defined yet (because the play-in is coming up), but the favorites are already appearing. I'm keeping an eye on possible matchups like:

• Lakers vs. Suns – MVP fight and recent rivalry
• Celtics vs Heat – this one never disappoints
• Warriors vs Nuggets – Curry vs. reigning MVP, just a great game
• Bucks vs 76ers – duel of giants in the paint

The real thing is: every playoff game is worth watching. Even the one between 8th and 1st, which many people think is “easy”. Spoiler: it never is.

NBA Playoff Schedule: My Personal Dream Schedule

If there's one time of year when I breathe NBA 24/7, it's during the playoffs.

And have the NBA Playoffs Schedule in hand is like carrying a treasure map: because each date there is an event that promises spectacle, tension, and moments that we will remember for years.

So, if you like basketball like me, save this schedule, organize your routine and prepare your heart.

Because the playoffs are just around the corner – and with them comes the magic of the game in its purest form.

Now I want to know from you: which matchup do you most want to see in these playoffs?

Comment here and send this text to that friend who always asks “what day does it start again?” – because now there’s no more excuse.